Lake Manyara as a Short Stop
A half-day or overnight stop on the way to or from Ngorongoro. Ask us how it fits your route.
← All DestinationsTanzania · 3.6°S, 35.8°E
Lake Manyara
A Soda Lake Below the Rift Wall
A small park squeezed between the Rift Valley escarpment and a shallow alkaline lake. Groundwater forest at the northern entrance gives way to open grassland and the lake shore, so a short drive crosses several kinds of country.
What You'll See
Who Lives Here
Elephant
Seen in the groundwater forest and along the lake shore.
Baboon
Large troops live in the forest near the park entrance.
Hippo
Found in the pools and along the water's edge.
Lion
Manyara is known for lions that sometimes rest in trees, though it is not something you can count on.
Flamingo & Waterbirds
Numbers on the lake change with water levels and the season.
The Landscape
Ground That Shapes the Light
A steep escarpment on one side and a soda lake on the other, with forest, acacia woodland and open grassland in between. The lake's size changes with the rainfall.
Best Season
June to October
Easier driving and clearer views. Bird numbers on the lake are often best in the wetter months.
Weather
What to Pack For
- Dry
- Jun – Oct
- 16–30°C
- Warm and dry, with cooler mornings.
- Wet
- Nov – May
- 18–30°C
- Heavier rain in April and May. The lake rises.
Find Your Bearings
Lake Manyara on the Map
Select any point to see where else the ground leads.
- Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire
- Lake Manyara
Recommended For Lake Manyara
Built for This Exact Ground
Ready When You Are
Start Planning Your Lake Manyara Safari
Tell us a little about how you'd like to travel. We'll take it from there.