Lake Manyara National Park Day Trip from Arusha – Wildlife, Scenic Landscapes & Tree-Climbing Lions
Expedition Overview
Discover the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Lake Manyara National Park on a full-day safari from Arusha. Explore lush groundwater forests, open savannah and the shores of Lake Manyara while searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, baboons and an incredible variety of birds. With its scenic beauty and relatively short distance from Arusha, Lake Manyara is an excellent choice for a one-day safari.
Safari Expedition Route Map
GPS Trail & PacingInteractive route map detailing the journey through Tanzania's northern circuit wilderness and travel stops:
Key Safari Highlights
- 🐘 Search for Lake Manyara's famous elephant herds
- 🦁 Chance to see lions resting in trees
- 🦒 Spot giraffes, zebras and wildebeest
- 🐃 Look for buffaloes and various antelope species
- 🦛 Possible hippo sightings near the lake
- 🐒 See baboons and other primates
- 🦅 Discover diverse birdlife
- 🌳 Explore lush groundwater forest
- 🌊 Enjoy views of Lake Manyara
- ⛰️ See the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment
- 📸 Excellent wildlife and landscape photography
- 🚙 Full-day game drive in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- 👨✈️ Professional safari guide
- 🍱 Picnic lunch included
- 🏨 Arusha hotel pick-up and drop-off
Daily Itinerary
Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha
Your safari guide will collect you from your hotel or agreed location in Arusha. After a short safari briefing, depart for Lake Manyara National Park.
07:00–09:30 – Drive to Lake Manyara
Travel through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania towards the park. Along the way, enjoy views of rural communities, farms and the Great Rift Valley.
09:30 – Enter Lake Manyara National Park
Complete the necessary entry procedures and begin your game drive.
09:30–12:30 – Morning Game Drive
Explore the park's varied habitats, including groundwater forests, woodland, grassland and areas around the lake.
Keep watch for:
Elephants
Giraffes
Zebras
Buffaloes
Wildebeest
Hippos
Baboons
Warthogs
Impalas and other antelopes
Lions and other predators
Numerous bird species
The combination of forest, savannah and lake creates a particularly diverse wildlife-viewing environment.
12:30–13:30 – Picnic Lunch
Stop at a designated picnic area and enjoy your packed lunch while taking in the surrounding scenery.
13:30–15:30 – Afternoon Game Drive
Continue exploring Lake Manyara National Park.
Your guide will look for additional wildlife and may take you to areas offering panoramic views of the lake and Rift Valley landscape.
If conditions are favorable, you may have the opportunity to observe lions in trees—a behavior for which Lake Manyara is particularly well known, although sightings are never guaranteed.
15:30–16:00 – Final Game Drive & Exit
Enjoy a final drive through the park before heading towards the exit.
16:00–18:30/19:00 – Return to Arusha
Begin the journey back to Arusha and arrive at your hotel in the evening.
Note: Exact timings may vary according to road conditions, park procedures, wildlife sightings and your accommodation location.
Expedition Photo Gallery
5 Wilderness MomentsPhotographs captured on recent expeditions across this route. Click any image to view high-resolution photos:
✓ What is Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Private or shared safari, depending on booking
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Lake Manyara National Park entrance fees
- Applicable vehicle and conservation fees
- Full-day game drive
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- Government taxes and applicable safari charges
× What is Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks unless specifically included
- Personal expenses
- Souvenirs
- Binoculars and personal photography equipment
- Optional cultural activities
- Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any services not specifically listed under Inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Need to Know InfoHave questions about game drives, packing, or booking this route? Here are essential answers:
Yes. Lake Manyara is one of the most convenient Northern Tanzania safari destinations for a day trip from Arusha.
We recommend departing Arusha between 06:30 and 07:00. This provides sufficient time to reach the park and enjoy several hours of game viewing.
Possible wildlife sightings include:
Elephants
Giraffes
Zebras
Buffaloes
Wildebeest
Hippos
Baboons
Warthogs
Impalas
Lions
Other antelope and predator species
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed because animals move freely through the park
Lake Manyara is famous for lions that sometimes climb and rest in trees. However, this behavior is not guaranteed on every safari, and your guide will look for them when conditions permit
Yes. Lake Manyara's combination of woodland, wetlands, grasslands and lake habitats supports a wide variety of bird species, making it an attractive destination for bird enthusiasts.
Ready to Customize This Safari?
Want to add extra days in the Serengeti, include a hot air balloon flight, or finish with relaxing beaches in Zanzibar? Let our expert naturalists customize this route for you.