At northern Tanzania’s bottom of the Great Rift Valley sits Lake Manyara National Park. The lake itself occupies two thirds of the park, hence Manyara is the smallest but also maybe the most beautiful park in northern Tanzania. First on the well-known Northern Circuit is Lake Manyara. Manyara, midway between Arusha, the safari hub of Tanzania, and Ngorongoro Crater, is renowned for both its natural beauty and its fabled tree-climbing lions.

Being just off the major road to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro, manyara is among the busiest parks in the nation; many visitors stop en route to the bigger parks.

One cannot dispute, nevertheless, the park’s natural beauty, particularly in the deep south where few visitors stop to investigate. Here the Rift is most strikingly seen, and the well-known tree-climbing lion pride calls home the park.

Actually, you need to know this.

The Lake makes up the great majority of the park, hence the game-driving areas may be rather tiny and crowded, particularly in the northern parts near the entry. Manyara provides a decent quick introduction to safari; ideally, this would fit a day on the way to Ngorongoro. A picnic meal would be best enjoyed from Manyara’s hippo pool. On a longer visit, though, we would always advise spending time in Tarangire or the Serengeti.

Entertainment

Lake Manyara provides wildlife drives both during the day and late at night. Staying at particular lodges also makes short walks possible.

When should I visit Lake Manyara?

Lake. Since Manyara’s game is somewhat consistent all year round, one can visit it at any moment. We would advise visiting during the first eight months of the year, though, as it is always nice to see the lake full. This also avoids the dust for which the park is known later in the year!

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Apart from the very costly Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, the mass-market hotel choices at Manyara are ones we strive to avoid. Remain in the Karatu region close to Ngorongoro, where standards of lodging are far better.