Tree-climbing lions and flamingo-filled shores at the foot of the Rift Valley.
Lake Manyara National Park is a compact but incredibly diverse park, stretching from the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment to the shallow alkaline lake. It's famous for its tree-climbing lions and vast flocks of flamingos.
Lake Manyara sits beneath the Rift Valley escarpment. Groundwater forest at the entrance gives way to open floodplain and a shallow alkaline lake visited by flamingos and pelicans.
Its tree-climbing lions are famous but elusive; baboon troops, blue monkeys, elephants and hippos are more dependable.
June – October
Dry season
Good mammal viewing on the floodplain.
November – June
Birding season
Migratory birds and higher lake levels.
Typical patterns. Wildlife movements follow the rains and vary from year to year.
Kirurumu Manyara LodgeMid-range
Rift Valley escarpment above Lake Manyara
Tented rooms on the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment with long views over Lake Manyara.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari LodgeLuxury
Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara
Rondavel-style rooms on the escarpment rim with a pool overlooking the lake.
andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree LodgePremium Luxury
Inside Lake Manyara NP, mahogany forest
Treehouse suites hidden in a mahogany forest — the only lodge inside Lake Manyara National Park.
3 daysThree parks in three days from one Karatu lodge
Three contrasting parks without changing rooms: Tarangire's elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.
4 daysPopular choiceArrival night in Arusha, then three parks
A relaxed first safari: arrive and rest, then three parks with two nights at one lodge near Lake Manyara.
5 daysPopular choiceFour parks with an arrival night
Four northern parks in five days, with Karatu as a comfortable base on either side of the Serengeti.
5 daysTarangire, central Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara
Two full nights in the central Serengeti — the extra day makes the long drive worthwhile.
5 daysWildebeest calving on the southern plains
Built around the calving season: a night at a mobile camp in the Ndutu area plus a full extra Ndutu day.
5 daysTarangire, Hadzabe and Datoga communities and the crater
Wildlife and people: Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater with a day at Lake Eyasi, all from one Karatu lodge.
Sightings are occasional, not reliable. Visit for the scenery, forest primates and birdlife, and treat lions as a bonus.
A Wild Host specialist in Arusha replies with a written itinerary and quotation.
