National park · Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park
Visit Lake Manyara for a half‑day game drive (entry fee ~60 000 TZS) in the dry season, or a full‑day walk with guide in the wet season; avoid the short rains in Nov‑Dec.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
350 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (350 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Tanzania e-visa before arrival; from 1 October 2026 the inbound insurance (US$44) is mandatory — check the current rule.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Carry TZS cash for park gates, fuel stops and village guesthouses; cards work in Arusha and Moshi hotels, rarely in Lushoto.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Left-hand driving; tarmac on the Arusha–Moshi–Dar corridor, rough gravel on the Lake Natron and Usambara side roads.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 350 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (350 km²)
- The park covers about 330 km² of land plus the lake surface, which expands and contracts seasonally (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Arusha
Lake Manyara National Park packs forest, lake, and savanna into a compact area at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. It is best known for tree‑climbing lions, large elephant herds, and flamingos on the alkaline lake. Most visitors spend a half‑day game drive here as part of the northern circuit, but a guided walking safari or a canoe trip adds a different perspective. The dry months June–October offer the most reliable wildlife viewing; the long rains March–May make roads muddy and some tracks impassable.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
350 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (350 km²) · national park since 1960
The park covers about 330 km² of land plus the lake surface, which expands and contracts seasonally (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Arusha.
Why go
- Compact park with forest, lake, and savanna in one drive.
- Tree‑climbing lions and large elephant herds are iconic sightings.
- Flamingos gather on the alkaline lake when water levels are right.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry, clear skies; good wildlife viewing.
- FebDry, warm; low mosquito activity.
- MarLong rains start, roads may get muddy.
- AprRainy, lake high, some tracks closed.
- MayRainy, water levels high, birdlife abundant.
- JunMain dry season, wildlife congregates at water.
- JulDry, excellent game viewing.
- AugDry, good visibility.
- SepDry, stable weather.
- OctDry, lake recedes, flamingos still present.
- NovShort rains, some roads slippery.
- DecShort rains, occasional thunderstorms.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant herdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tree‑climbing lionsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Flamingos (lesser & greater)Jun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Olive baboons, blue monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 400 bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Arusha
Drive 1.5 h via paved road (A23) to the park gate.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Karatu
Drive 30 min on the main road to the gate.
0.5 h
From Moshi (via Kilimanjaro Airport)
Fly to Kilimanjaro, then drive 2 h to the park.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Groundwater forest entrance | Main gate, visitor centre, forest trails, and entry ticket office. | Open with ticket. |
| Lake shoreline | Game drives along the lake, birdwatching spots, hippo pools. | Open with ticket; some tracks close when lake high. |
| Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint | Scenic overlooks of the lake and valley. | Open with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site; points are approximate for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult entry | TZS 60,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check official TANAPA rates. |
| Tanzanian adult entry | TZS 20,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- TZS 60,000
- TZS 20,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on TANAPA – Lake Manyara National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for walking safaris and any off‑road activity beyond the main tracks.
- Camping
- Not permitted without a special permit from TANAPA and a licensed guide.
- Fire
- Open fires are prohibited; use designated BBQ areas only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without explicit permission from park authorities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Upscale lodge on the escarpment with views of the lake.
Near the park
Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
Mid‑range camp with cottages and a pool.
Near the park
Karatu town
Budget lodges and guesthouses; 30 min drive to park gate.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Elephant encounters medium
Baboons stealing food low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road to the entrance is paved; short walks from gate to forest are level ground.
- Some interior tracks are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy souvenirs from local artisans in Karatu, not from park stalls.
- Choose operators that follow TANAPA’s wildlife‑friendly guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lake Manyara National Park?
Foreign adults pay about 60 000 TZS; Tanzanian citizens pay about 20 000 TZS (2026 estimate, check official rates).
What are the best hikes in Lake Manyara National Park?
A short 2‑hour forest trail from the entrance, a guided 3‑hour walk to the escarpment viewpoint, and a guided walking safari (4‑5 h) on the lake shore.
When is the best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park?
June to October is the main dry season with excellent wildlife viewing; January–February are also good. Avoid March–May (long rains) and November–December (short rains).
Can I camp inside Lake Manyara National Park?
Camping is only allowed with a special permit and a licensed guide; otherwise stay in nearby lodges or Karatu.
Are tree‑climbing lions guaranteed to be seen?
They are a known attraction but sightings are not guaranteed; look for them in the groundwater forest during dry months.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lake Manyara National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?