Lake Manyara National Park

Praised by Ernest Hemingway for its beauty, Lake Manyara National Park lies along the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley in northern Tanzania. The park spans diverse habitats—from grassy savannahs and acacia woodlands to marshes and lush forests—centred around its shimmering soda lake, which covers two-thirds of its area.

Lake Manyara is renowned for its vast flamingo flocks, prolific birdlife with over 400 species, and one of Tanzania’s highest concentrations of elephants. It’s also one of the best places to see the rare phenomenon of tree-climbing lions, along with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, hippo, and the world’s largest concentration of baboons.

Seasonal changes bring shifting spectacles—during the wet months, the lake turns pink with flamingos, while the dry season draws wildlife to its alkaline waters when other sources vanish. Visitors can also explore hot springs in the park’s south and enjoy game drives along rivers and woodland trails teeming with life.

Easily accessible from Arusha, Lake Manyara offers stunning scenery, rich biodiversity, and an intimate safari experience in one of Africa’s most enchanting settings.