Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is home to a wide variety of mammals. Visitors can see animals like wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, and Granit’s gazelles. There are also lion, leopard, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, serval, honey badger, African wild cat, spotted hyena, African civet, genet (Genetta) species and several mongoose species. Although rare, Cheetah and African golden cat may occasionally be seen. Other prominent mammals in the area includes elephant, baboon, Cape buffalo, lion, hippopotamus, wildebeest, bushbuck, impala and giraffe, zebra. The park is only national parks in Tanzania where you can see the tree-climbing lions besides Ishasha sector in queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda.

The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, hosting over 400 bird species. You can spot flamingos—both Greater and Lesser Flamingos—Ostrich, Great Cormorant, Long-tailed Cormorant, Gray Heron Egyptian Goose, African Darter, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Abdim’s Stork, African Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Shoebill, Hamerkop, White-faced Whistling-Duck, White-backed Duck, Black-bellied Bustard, Little Bittern, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret among others.

Activities /What to do in Lake Manyara National Park

Boat cruise

A boat cruise in Lake Manyara National Park is a fun and memorable activity. The best way to enjoy it is by taking a boat ride on Lake Manyara itself. This shallow lake covers about two-thirds of the park. Along the lake’s edges, you can see white crusty deposits of soda that sparkle like tiny diamonds. The water looks a bit soapy because of the minerals concentrated in it. The boat trips usually start at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, each lasting about three hours. During the boat cruise trip, you might spot large groups of hippos, various animals coming to drink water, different types of fish, and enjoy stunning views of the Rift Valley escarpment. The scenery includes lush forests, open grassy plains, and woodlands, making the experience even more special.

Game drives/game viewing

Game drives are of the popular activities in Lake Manyara National Park, where you can explore the park and observe its diverse wildlife, all with the help of a professional driver guide in a comfortable safari vehicle.  These guided game drives usually takes place in the in the morning or late afternoon, times when animals are most active. There is also a special night game drive that allows you to see nocturnal animals like leopards under the stars.

During your game drives, you’ll have the chance to see many different animals such as include wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelle, Granit’s gazella, waterbuck, impala, cape buffalo, giraffe, hippopotamus, warthogs, elephants’ lion, leopard, African wild cat, shotted hyena, black-backed jackal among others. Besides animals, you might also spot colorful birds like secretary birds, storks, cormorants, herons, egrets, pelicans, ducks, glossy ibis, the long-crested eagle, grey crowned crane among others.

Guided nature walks

Guided nature walks in Lake Manyara National Park are a fun way to explore the park and discover its smaller residents. You’ll be accompanied by an armed park ranger and a knowledgeable guide, making sure you stay safe while learning about the wildlife. During the walk, you’ll follow different trails, including those along the lake shores, across flood plains, and through the park’s woodlands. These routes offer great views of the park and the nearby lakes. You’ll also get the chance to walk along the Majimoto boardwalk, which is a popular spot for game viewing. From here, you can enjoy scenic views of Lake Manyara and other beautiful photography spots around the park.

On this walk, you’ll have the opportunity to see many animals up close, such as elephants, tree climbing lions, warthogs, cheetahs, gazelles, impalas, klipspringers, hippos among others. Bird lovers will also enjoy spotting species like Pangni Long Claw Flamingo, Red-eyed Dove, Little Grebe, Mourning Collared-Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, African Swift, Square-tailed Nightjar, and many more. It’s a perfect way to experience the park’s natural beauty and its diverse wildlife in a relaxed and informative setting.

Bird watching

Bird watching is a fun activity to do in Lake Manyara National Park. This park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see a wide variety of birds, with over 400 different kinds, including those that live in the woods and around the water. You can enjoy bird watching at Lake Manyara itself, in the forests, or along the flood plains. During your time there, you might see birds like Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo , Ostrich, Great Cormorant , Long-tailed Cormorant , Great White Pelican , Pink-backed Pelican , Shoebill , Hamerkop , White-faced Whistling-Duck, White-backed Duck, Black-bellied Bustard , Little Bittern, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Gray Heron Egyptian Goose, African Darter,  Black-faced Sandgrouse,  Abdim’s Stork, African Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Saddle-billed Stork among others.

Cultural visit

Cultural visit in lake Manyara national park involve visiting the Maasai villages such as Mto wa Mbu. This cultural visit offers an opportunity to interact with the locals and get to know more about their way of life. While on your cultural visit, you’ll have the chance to engage in different cultural activities such as visiting the traditional homesteads of the Maasai known as “manyattas”, joining in on the traditional dance performances, listening to folk stories among others.

Sport fishing 

Lake Manyara is a special place because it has the endangered fish Oreochromis amphimelas, which is a type of fish in the cichlid family. This fish is unique to Tanzania and can only be found in Lake Manyara and nearby areas inside the National Park.

What is the best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park?

A Tanzania Safari in Lake Manyara National Park is done throughout the year. But the best time to visit the park is during the months of December to February and then June to October. during these months, the weather is generally drier, making it easier to see the animals and enjoy your safari, which is relatively drier than March to May and November.

Accommodation facilities at Lake Manyara National Park

There is a variety of accommodations for you on your safari in Lake Manyara national park, these include; Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp, andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge among others.

How to Get to Lake Manyara National Park

Getting to Lake Manyara National Park is quite simple. If you’re traveling by road, it’s about 126 kilometers (78 miles) southwest of Arusha. The drive usually takes around an hour and a half. If you prefer flying, there are daily scheduled flights that land at Lake Manyara airport, making it easy to reach the park quickly.

Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about a Tanzania safari in Lake Manyara National Park and then Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Africa Vacation Safaris who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.