Lake Manyara National Park

Where Forests Whisper, Lions Climb, and Flamingos Dance.

The Hidden Jewel of the Northern Circuit

Tucked between the soaring cliffs of the Great Rift Valley and the shimmering waters of its namesake lake, Lake Manyara National Park may be compact — but it pulses with life. Here, dense evergreen forests melt into grassy floodplains and acacia woodlands, all wrapped around an alkaline lake that glows pink with flamingos.

Whether you seek tree-climbing lions, birds in symphonic abundance, or a walk above the treetops, Manyara offers a poetic start (or peaceful pause) on your luxury safari journey.

Surrounded by forested walls and mist-draped slopes, the crater floor hosts over 25,000 animals, making it one of the easiest places to spot the Big Five in a single day. But this is more than a game drive — it’s a rare opportunity to step into an ancient, self-contained world where nature reigns in its rawest form.

Game Drives

Explore every terrain from shady fig forests to sun-drenched plains. Watch lions nap in the treetops while baboons tumble across your path.

swamps or across open plains, offering unmatched photo opportunities.

  • Other wildlife highlights include:

    • Lions, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas
    • Giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, warthogs, and zebras
    • Unique antelope like the fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk

       

    Over 420 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and eagles

Treetop Walkway

Venture 18 meters above the forest floor on Tanzania’s only treetop canopy walk — a 370-meter suspended journey through mahogany and tamarind branches.

Don’t miss:

  • Observation Hill – A panoramic viewpoint over the plains and swamps

  • Enkongo Narok swamp – A key wildlife hotspot for hippos, elephants, and birds

Lake Amboseli – A dry alkaline lakebed most of the year, lush after rains

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Drift silently above baobabs, floodplains, and elephants in the golden hush of dawn. Toast the experience with a champagne breakfast in the bush.

As a Queen of East Africa guest, you can:

  • Visit authentic Maasai villages (manyattas)
  • Experience Maasai customs, ceremonies, and the famous Ipid jumping dance
  • Walk with a local guide who tracks wildlife by reading the land and footprints

These experiences are authentic, respectful, and guided by those who call Amboseli home.

Luxury Lodges Around Ngorongoro Crater

These handpicked retreats offer not just a place to rest, but a front-row seat to one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Whether perched on the rim or nestled in the highlands, each lodge delivers intimacy, elegance, and unforgettable crater views.

Chem Chem Lodge

Between Lake Manyara and Tarangire
Set on a private 4,000-acre conservation estate, Chem Chem Lodge exudes slow safari elegance. Enjoy sunrise walks with giraffes, fine dining under the stars, and soulful stillness between iconic landscapes.

Little Chem Chem

On a private concession near Lake Manyara
Intimate and wild, Little Chem Chem is perfect for couples and private groups seeking authenticity. Known for its walking safaris, predator sightings, and vintage explorer charm, this is barefoot luxury at its best.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

 Inside the National Park
The only permanent luxury lodge within Lake Manyara National Park, this &Beyond property is nestled in a mahogany forest. Wake to birdsong, enjoy treetop suites with outdoor showers, and embark on early-morning drives moments from your door.

Wildlife Encounters in a Compact Eden

🎯 What You’ll See:

  • Lions lounging in trees — an East African rarity
  • Large herds of elephants grazing near groundwater springs
  • Giraffes, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, bushbuck, and baboons
  • Leopards in the acacia woodlands
  • Hippos wallowing along the lakeshore
  • Over 400 bird species — from massive pink flamingos to shimmering bee-eaters and powerful crowned eagles

 

This small park mirrors the whole of Tanzania — forest, plains, water, and sky — in just 330 square kilometers.

Getting There

~2 hours’ drive from Arusha

Ideal as a day trip or one-night luxury stopover en route to Ngorongoro or Serengeti

By Air

Daily flights to Lake Manyara Airstrip from Arusha, Zanzibar, or SerengetiPrivate transfers available to all lodges

Ready to Begin?

Let us curate your Manyara experience — one that starts in the treetops and ends in awe.

Why Travel to Lake Manyara with Queen of East Africa

Amboseli is where giants walk, traditions are honored, and Kilimanjaro reminds you that some places are too powerful to forget.