Tanzania
6-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — the essential Tanzania safari from Arusha.
Price on request
Manyara Region, northern Tanzania
Lake Manyara
Groundwater forest, tree-climbing lions and a soda lake
- Country
- Tanzania
- Region
- Manyara Region, northern Tanzania
- Type
- Tanzania Safari
- Best months to visit
- Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
Overview
Lake Manyara National Park is a compact, beautiful park squeezed between the Rift Valley escarpment and a shallow soda lake. Groundwater forest, acacia woodland and lakeside grasslands create a variety of habitats in a small area.
It makes an easy first stop on a northern Tanzania circuit.
- Tree-climbing lions
- Groundwater forest
- Treetop walkway
- Easy first stop from Arusha
What you'll see
Lions famous for resting in trees (sightings are not guaranteed), elephant, large troops of baboons, hippo and seasonal flocks of flamingos and pelicans.
Wildlife you may see
- Tree-climbing lion
- Elephant (Big Five)
- Flamingo
- Hippo
- Cape buffalo (Big Five)
- Masai giraffe
- Plains zebra
Things to do
- 01
Game drives
Explore forest, woodland and lakeshore in a few hours.
- 02
Treetop walkway
Walk through the forest canopy on suspension bridges.
- 03
Canoeing (seasonal)
Paddle on the lake when water levels allow.
Best time
- Jan: Great time
- Feb: Great time
- Mar: Possible
- Apr: Possible
- May: Possible
- Jun: Great time
- Jul: Great time
- Aug: Great time
- Sep: Great time
- Oct: Great time
- Nov: Possible
- Dec: Possible
June to October for game viewing; November to June for birdlife.
Getting there
About 2 hours by road from Arusha.
Where to stay
Luxury
Lodges on the escarpment with views over the lake.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Comfort
Lodges and tented camps near Mto wa Mbu.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Budget
Simple camps in Mto wa Mbu village.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Gallery
Journeys that visit Lake Manyara
- 6 days
More Tanzania Safari
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater
A lost world inside the largest intact volcanic caldera
