
Lake Manyara National Park is a compact gem of the Northern Tanzania safari circuit, lying at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. For travellers asking where is Lake Manyara, it’s located between Arusha and Ngorongoro, making it an easy stop on the route to the Serengeti. This national park in Tanzania is built around a shimmering soda lake that stretches across the Rift Valley floor, attracting large flocks of flamingoes, pods of hippos, and a wealth of birdlife, making it a hotspot for birdwatching. Famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, the park also supports elephants, buffalo, giraffe, and other members of the Big 5. With varied habitats, the wildlife in Lake Manyara is diverse, from forest monkeys to plains antelope. Classic game drives remain the main activity, but travellers can also enjoy cultural excursions, canopy walks, and village visits among the many things to do in Lake Manyara. Access is straightforward via the Manyara airstrip (Lake Manyara Airport) or by road on a day trip to Lake Manyara from Arusha. Many visitors pair Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro or combine it with the Serengeti. Accommodation ranges from comfortable lodges to luxury camps, with many enjoying the best view of Manyara across the lake.




































The best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife gathers around the lake and game viewing is most reliable. The green season from November to May transforms the park into lush landscapes, with excellent birdwatching and large flocks of flamingoes. Both seasons are rewarding, but dry months suit classic safaris while wet months highlight scenery and birdlife.
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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.
Nicole
With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!
Margherita
What can I say? We've had an absolute blast traveling through Namibia. Soooo many good new memories! We booked our trip a bit last minute but had amazing support from Viatu to get all the information in time.
Anna
Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.
Stefano
We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.
Valerie
Our South Africa vacation managed by Viatu based on our request turned out perfect. All logistics and transfers worked seamlessly with local professional personnel.
Svein
I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.
Manuel
We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!
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We had an incredible journey with Viatu and many unforgettable memories in South Africa. The journey was tailor-made to our wishes and the communication with Alex really easy, friendly and helpful. All the information was accessible online at any time, nicely presented and structured in an overview.
Michèle
I had a once in a lifetime trip with Viatu. It was extremely exciting, adventurous and diverse! As my first trip, I found it to be very enjoyable. Everything was totally planned out from A to Z.
Irina