Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is 126 kilometers west of Arusha Town. Designated as a national park in 1960, Lake Manyara National Park is home to a diverse range of stunning landscapes, including marshland, dense acacia woodland, and steep rocky slopes.

The park Centres around its eponymous alkaline lake whose surface covers two thirds of the park’s total area, a key habitat for hundreds of bird species.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for housing vast flocks of flamingos, water buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, tree-climbing lions, over 400 bird species and one of the highest concentrations of elephants in all of Tanzania.

Like all of Tanzania’s national parks, Lake Manyara’s peak season is during the dry months from July to September.

Hot springs can be found in the south of the park, and the park is bisected by 2 rivers, the Mto wa Mbu River and the Endabash River.

The short dry season from mid-December to early March is also a good time to visit, but the temperatures can get very hot during this period.

Although you will see wildlife during the wet season, it will be more difficult to spot animals amongst the luscious vegetation. In the dry season, animals are drawn to the few remaining water sources and wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent.