Day Trip to Lake Manyara National Park

Tour Information

This journey begins with an early morning pick-up from your Arusha hotel, usually around 7:30 AM, followed by a drive of about two hours westward through rolling hills and fertile farmland. As you approach Lake Manyara National Park, the landscape transitions into lush groundwater forest. Once inside the park, the adventure begins with a slow game drive under the towering fig and mahogany trees, where troops of baboons and blue monkeys are often seen playing. Keep an eye out for the elusive tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior found in this region. The drive continues toward the lake itself, where thousands of flamingos gather seasonally, creating a striking pink band against the blue water. Hippos may be seen wallowing in the shallows, while giraffes, elephants, and warthogs graze nearby. Midday is spent at the Msasa picnic site, perched on an escarpment with panoramic views over the lake. After lunch, the drive loops through the acacia woodlands and open grassy areas, offering more wildlife encounters before exiting the park in the mid-afternoon. The return to Arusha provides time to reflect on the day’s sightings, arriving back by early evening.