Welcome to lake MAnyara
Experience the Untamed Beauty of Lake MAnyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park, a hidden gem among Africa’s safari destinations, is famed for its rare sight of tree-climbing lions—an extraordinary scene paired with encounters with the Big Five, flamingos, elephants, hippos, and Cape buffalo.
Just beyond its borders, the lively market town of Mto Wa Mbu welcomes travelers into a rich cultural tapestry, offering a glimpse of Tanzanian art and everyday life. For a serene escape, the nearby Maji Moto Hot Springs provide a natural haven for rest and rejuvenation.
Setting itself apart from most northern Tanzanian parks, Lake Manyara offers night game drives and canoe safaris, delivering an exceptional range of wildlife experiences within its compact terrain. From pink flamingos painting the lake’s edges to lions lounging in the treetops, the scenery leaves an enduring impression.
Named after its seasonal alkaline lake, the park is ideal for canoeing in the rainy season and offers captivating game drives year-round. Once called “the loveliest I have seen in Africa” by Ernest Hemingway, Lake Manyara is a fitting start or finish to any northern Tanzania safari, promising diverse landscapes and rare wildlife encounters.
Facts About Lake Manyara
Each year, colonies of pink flamingos migrate between various lakes, arriving at Lake Manyara National Park from June to September. Here, they settle on the mud flats, rich with crustaceans—their primary food source. These crustaceans provide the carotene pigment that turns their feathers a vivid pink; without it, their feathers remain a natural grey-white. Newly hatched flamingos are always grey but gradually take on their iconic pink hue over their first year as they consume carotene-rich food.