Lake Manyara National Park Map

The main entrance to Lake Manyara National Park is the Main Gate at the northern end of the park, right beside Mto wa Mbu village on the road from Arusha to Karatu and Ngorongoro. Almost all road safaris enter and leave here, and the gate has a small information area, which makes Lake Manyara easy to visit on the way to or from the crater. The single main track runs south from the gate along the base of the escarpment, with side loops to the lake shore and hippo pool.

Lake Manyara National Park is roughly 125 kilometers west of Arusha by road, usually about a two-hour drive on a good tarmac highway, depending on traffic and stops. The route passes through farmland and Maasai areas before descending into the Rift Valley at Mto wa Mbu. Because it is so accessible, Lake Manyara is often the first or last stop on a northern Tanzania safari, combined with Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti on a private tailor-made itinerary.

Yes, Lake Manyara airstrip sits on top of the Rift Valley escarpment above the park, a short drive from the Main Gate and from lodges on the rim. Scheduled flights and private charter light aircraft connect it with Arusha, the Serengeti and other destinations, making it a useful link for fly-in or combined road and air safaris, especially when time is short. Your private guide can meet you at the airstrip with your safari vehicle, so you can start game viewing soon after landing.

Many travelers explore Lake Manyara National Park in a half day, but a full day lets you reach the southern areas such as the Maji Moto hot springs, enjoy a relaxed picnic and spend more time searching for tree-climbing lions. Because the park is narrow, the main track covers all key areas, and your guide can adjust the pace around wildlife and birdlife. A full day especially suits keen birders and wildlife photographers, while a half day works well when combined with a drive to Ngorongoro.