Your day begins early in the morning when your Woodland Trek & Safaris safari guide collects you from your hotel or agreed pickup point in Arusha. After a short briefing, you begin the scenic journey towards Lake Manyara National Park.

The drive normally takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and covers approximately 120 to 130 kilometres. Along the way, you will pass through small towns, farmland, and the landscapes of northern Tanzania before approaching the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

Upon arrival at the park, your guide will complete the entry formalities before beginning your game drive.

The first section of the park takes you through a beautiful groundwater forest, where large trees create shade over the road. This area is a good place to look for blue monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, elephants, and forest birds.

As you continue deeper into the park, the habitat gradually opens into grasslands and floodplains. Here, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, and other grazing animals may be seen feeding across the open landscape.

You will also explore areas closer to Lake Manyara, where water birds gather depending on lake levels and seasonal conditions. Flamingos may be present at certain times of the year, while pelicans, storks, herons, and other aquatic birds are commonly observed.

The park is also historically associated with tree climbing lions, although sightings are unpredictable. Your guide will carefully scan suitable areas for lions and other predators such as leopards.

Around midday, you will stop at a designated picnic area for lunch. This provides time to relax while enjoying the surrounding scenery before continuing your afternoon game drive.

In the afternoon, you will explore additional sections of the park, including wetlands, woodland, and scenic viewpoints beneath the Rift Valley escarpment.

Later in the day, you will leave Lake Manyara National Park and begin the return journey to Arusha, arriving at your hotel or agreed drop off point in the evening.

Main Experiences

• Full day Lake Manyara National Park game drive
• Wildlife viewing
• Groundwater forest exploration
• Lake shore and wetland scenery
• Birdwatching
• Possible flamingo sightings
• Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, and zebra viewing
• Search for lions and other predators
• Great Rift Valley landscape photography
• Picnic lunch inside the park

Optional Extra Activities

Depending on availability and prior arrangement, additional activities may include:

• Mto wa Mbu cultural tour
• Local village walk
• Traditional Tanzanian lunch
• Cycling experience near Mto wa Mbu
• Local market visit
• Coffee or banana plantation experience
• Specialist birdwatching safari
• Overnight extension to Karatu or Ngorongoro

Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park can be visited throughout most of the year.

The dry season generally provides easier wildlife viewing as animals gather around permanent water sources and vegetation becomes less dense.

The greener months transform the park into a lush landscape and are particularly rewarding for birdwatching, photography, and visitors who enjoy vibrant scenery.

Flamingo numbers and lake shore conditions vary according to rainfall and water levels, so sightings cannot be guaranteed throughout the year.

Morning departures are recommended to maximise your safari time and take advantage of cooler temperatures.

What to Bring

For your Lake Manyara day safari, we recommend bringing:

• Comfortable lightweight clothing
• Hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Camera or smartphone
• Binoculars
• Light jacket
• Small day backpack
• Insect repellent
• Personal medication