MANYARA
"Where the evergreen groundwater forest meets the pink-tinged horizon of the Rift Valley."
Lions
Tree-Climbing
Birdlife
430+ Species
Setting
600m Rift Wall
Density
High Biomass
The Rift Landscape
Within an hour’s drive, transition through five distinct habitats—from shadowed jungle to steaming hot springs.
Groundwater Forest
A lush, evergreen canopy fed by underground springs. Home to blue monkeys and the highest biomass density of baboons in Africa.
Alkaline Floodplain
The shimmering lake edge where flamingos, pelicans, and hippos congregate. The water level dictates the drama of the season.
Maji Moto Springs
Steaming alkaline hot springs at the base of the escarpment—a dramatic volcanic reminder of the Rift's active geology.
Wildlife
Specialties
-
01
Tree-Climbing Lions
An iconic and rare behavioral trait, best observed in the acacia woodlands near the center of the park.
-
02
The Pink Horizon
Thousands of flamingos creating a pink ribbon along the shoreline, especially between January and March.
-
03
Elephant Corridor
Watch herds move through the riverine forest—a population famously studied by conservationists for decades.
Safari Calendar
Dry Season
June – October
Green Season
Nov – May
Peak Birding
Jan – March
Fun Fact: Manyara inspired Ernest Hemingway to call it the loveliest lake he had seen in Africa.
Treetop Walkway
Walk along a 370m canopy bridge—the highest in East Africa—for a bird's-eye view of the forest and its primates.
Night Game Drives
Authorized nocturnal safaris to track genets, civets, and the elusive porcupine beneath the Rift stars.
Lake Canoeing
Seasonal excursions on the lake for eye-level encounters with pelicans, hippos, and the escarpment reflection.
Travel Logistics
The Journey
Just 2 hours from Arusha or a 45-minute flight to the Manyara Airstrip. The park is the perfect entry point to the Northern Circuit.
The Pairing
Contrast Manyara’s forests with the open savannahs of Tarangire (2 hours away) or the deep volcanic walls of Ngorongoro Crater.