LAST UPDATED:  4/27/23 – Lake Manyara safari

When we visited Tanzania last year, we were very fortunate to be able to go on a Lake Manyara safari. We were able to see some absolutely amazing things.  I don’t think it is possible to truly understand how amazing safari in Africa is until you experience it yourself. 

Seeing some of this world’s most amazing animals in their natural habitat is an experience you will remember forever.  One of my favorite parts of my trip was the Lake Manyara safari that we went on.

Lake Manyara National Park was the first park that we went on safari in during our visit to Tanzania.  This 127 square mile park is about a 2-hour drive from Arusha. Not only is it close, but it is home to a lot of Africa’s wildlife diversity.

In this Lake Manyara safari guide, I will let you know what requirements you will need to visit Tanzania. In addition, I’ll give you some tips on how to get to the park. Finally, I will provide you with information on which tours, lodges, and campsites I recommend.

With this information in hand, you should be able to confidently plan an incredible safari adventure in Lake Manyara National Park that you’ll never forget.

	Tanzania Entrance Requirements
	Travel Immunizations
	What to Bring
	How to Get There
	Recommended Tours
	Best Times to Visit
	Where to Stay
	The Wildlife You May See
	Safari Tips
	Safety Tips
	Safari Photo Gallery

Tanzania Entrance Requirements

Before you can even start to think about your Lake Manyara safari, you need to make sure that you can meet the Tanzania entrance requirements.

If you don’t meet the requirements, you will not be allowed entry into the country. This will put a huge damper on your safari plans. To assist you in ensuring you meet the requirements, I have outlined the passport and VISA requirements for you to review.

Tanzania Passport Requirements

One of the most important Tanzania entrance requirements you need to consider when planning your trip is Tanzania’s passport requirements.

According to the US State Department website, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6-months after your date of arrival. So, if your passport is set to expire within 6-months of your arrival date, you will need to renew your passport before you travel to Tanzania.

Tanzania VISA Requirements

You will also need to purchase a VISA to be allowed into Tanzania. This VISA can either be purchased ahead of time via as an e-VISA or be purchased upon arrival at your port of entry. The cost of a 90-day VISA for Tanzania for a US Citizen is $100 USD. For a summary of the Tanzania passport and VISA requirements, please refer to the table below.

Travel Immunizations

Important Note: I am not a medical doctor and do not have any medical experience. The information provided in this section is a summary of information that I got from the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States for travel to Tanzania. I am providing you this information to help bring awareness of the necessary vaccinations to you, but consultation of my guide should not replace a discussion about your travels with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.

Before you leave for your trip to Tanzania to go on your Lake Manyara safari, you need to make sure you have all of the proper vaccinations.  Not only to protect yourself, but to protect others.  In fact, depending on where you are visiting from and whether you are making any stops before visiting Tanzania, you might not even be allowed in the country without the proper vaccinations.

Travel Vaccination Advice

You may have questions on what immunizations you will need and what to look out for when you go to get them. In this case, I have included some general guidelines from my experiences below.

• Most specialized travel clinics will not accept insurance, so you will have to pay for your travel consultation and immunizations and then request reimbursement from your insurance company later.
• Some immunizations aren’t accepted by every insurance company, so check with your insurance provider before getting your immunizations.
• Check with your regular doctor first, as often they can do a travel consultation for you and write you the necessary prescriptions for your immunizations, even if they aren’t able to give them to you.  This way you can ensure that at least your travel consultation will be covered by your insurance up-front.
• Check with Walgreens or other drug stores that give flu shots to see if they have any of the immunization shots that you require before going to a specialized clinic that doesn’t accept insurance to get them.  Walgreens is able to give you many of the immunizations necessary for international travel, and they accept insurance up-front.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website can be a great resource for answering any travel immunization questions that you have.

Tanzania Vaccination Recommendations

You will need to consult with your doctor or a travel clinic on recommended vaccinations before you leave. I have compiled a list below of some of what you might expect your physician to recommend.

• Antimalarial (Aralen, Qualaquin, Plaquenil, Mefloquine, or Doxycycline).
• Typhoid (either a shot, which is good for 2 years, or live virus pill, which is good for 4 years).
• Yellow Fever (be aware that some countries require a yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from another country that is high risk, even if your stay in that other country was short).
• Hepatitis A & B (if you haven’t had them).
• Tetanus (if you aren’t current).
• Rabies (if you are going to be working in close contact with animals).
• Dukoral (gives you 3-month protection against travel diarrhea).
• Flu Shot

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements

Depending on which country you are arriving from, you may need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the country.  If you are travelling to Tanzania from another country in Africa, please use the US Centers of Disease Control (CDC) website to determine if you will be required to have proof of the Yellow Fever vaccination to enter.

What to Bring

If you are going on safari for the first time, you might not know what to bring with you. To help prepare for your Lake Manyara National Park safari, I have developed several guides that you should review.

What to Expect When Visiting Africa for the First Time

First, my article on the “20 Tips for Those Visiting Africa for the First Time” will help get your prepared. The article outlines what you can expect when you visit Africa for the first time. It outlines what you should and should not do while visiting. It also gives you some tips on what to expect during your first visit to Africa.

Then, as you prepare for your trip, you will want to review my “Essential Safari Packing List”. This guide will ensure that you have all the gear you need for your safari. It also outlines what you should not bring with you.

Finally, my last article covers taking pictures while on safari. My “Tips for Photography on African Safaris” guide will help you take the best possible photos of your epic adventure. Not only does it include photography gear I recommend, but it also covers my recommended camera settings.

How to Get There

Lake Manyara National Park is located in Northern Tanzania, just Southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater National Conservation Area.  It is about a 2-hour drive from the major city of Arusha. 

If you are planning a Lake Manyara safari, you will likely want to fly into Arusha.  The airport in Arusha is where most of the safari companies that service Lake Manyara National Park will pick you up upon arrival.

View Larger Map

Not surprisingly, the main feature of Lake Manyara National Park is Lake Manyara.  The lake rests up against the western boundary of the park, with the rift valley on much of the park’s eastern boundary. 

There are a lot of open spaces around the lake where you can find zebra, wildebeest, antelope, buffalo, and other grazers feeding.  In Lake Manyara, it is very common to see hippos avoiding the heat during the day.

View Larger Map

Recommended Tours

We used Tanzania Choice Safaris for our safari, and we absolutely loved them. We have relatives who lived in country and had used them on multiple occasions and had a lot of really great things to say about them.

They were very courteous, well organized, and extremely knowledgeable about the parks and the wildlife. We would absolutely recommend them for anyone considering a safari in any of the national parks in Tanzania. If you are looking for a safari tour for Lake Manyara National Park, here are some good ones I can recommend:

Best Times to Visit

Average Temperature (℉)

One factor that you will definitely want to consider when deciding what time of year to visit Tanzania to go on a Lake Manyara National Park safari is the average temperature.

During September thru November, the high temperatures can get hot. In Tanzania, they use closed safari vehicles, so you will have some shade when you are on safari, so the hot temperatures aren’t as big of a deal as they are elsewhere in Africa. However, if you really don’t like the heat, you may want to avoid these months.

On the other hand, the average low temps during May thru August can be cooler, especially at night. Because they use closed safari vehicles in Tanzania, you don’t have to worry as much about getting cold on early morning safaris.

However, if you do visit during these months, you may want to bring a light jacket with you. For more information on what types of temperatures to expect on your Lake Manyara National Park safari, please refer to the chart of average temperatures I provided for you to review below.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Arguably the most important factor that you will want to consider when deciding what time of year to visit Tanzania for your Lake Manyara National Park safari is the amount of precipitation that the area is getting.

Not only can a lot of rain put a hamper on your daily safari plans, but an abundant amount of rain can also greatly affect the likelihood that you will see animals.

Lake Manyara in the Dry Months (June-October)

During the dry winter months of June thru October, the Lake Manyara area gets much less precipitation. This means animals in the area will need to come to the lake for water more frequently. This can make spotting animals within the park much more predictable.

Lake Manyara in the Wet Months (March-May)

During the wet months of March thru May, and to a lesser extent November thru February, the park sees a lot more rain. Not only does this mean much thicker vegetation within the park, but it also means that water is more readily available away from the lake.

This can make it much more difficult to spot elusive animals, like leopards or lions. More importantly, the heavy rains in March thru May can make the roads much more difficult to drive on, which can really hamper your safari plans. I would certainly avoid these months when planning your Lake Manyara National Park safari.

Best Months to Visit

If you are planning a Lake Manyara safari, you are going to want to plan your visit for the optimal time of year to see the animals and avoid bad weather.  The best time to visit the park is between June and October, as the animals are easier to spot, and the weather is typically better.  Conversely, you will want to avoid visiting during March thru May, as this is when the worst weather typically occurs, and the animals are typically seeking shelter.

June thru October

• Animals are easier to spot as the vegetation isn’t as thick and the animals are typically congregated by the water sources.
• There is typically a lot of sun and very little rain.
• Because the weather isn’t as wet, malaria carrying mosquitoes are less prevalent.
• You will want to dress warmly as the mornings can be cold at this time of year.

November thru May

• The park is at its greenest and most lush.
• It is typically the least crowded in April and May, which is the park’s low season.
• Bird watching is best as the migratory birds are visiting the park at this time.
• There may be a lot of mud on the roads because of heavy rains.
• March is the height of the rainy season.

Where to Stay

In addition to doing a Lake Manyara National Park safari as part of a tour, you are also able to self-drive within the park if you would prefer. If you are planning on spending multiple days in Lake Manyara National Park or the surrounding area, you may need to book accommodations.

If you are in the process of planning your Lake Manyara National Park safari and need lodging recommendations, I have included some highly regarded recommendations below for you to review.

Tips for Self-Drive Safaris in Lake Manyara

• Park rules require that you stay on the marked roads at all times. You cannot drive off-road in Lake Manyara National Park.
• Target the dry season for your visit as there is far less risk of the roads being flooded.
• Make sure you have a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance. The roads can be rough in areas, and you don’t want to get stuck.
• Let some air out of your tires while driving on the gravel and sand park roads. This will give you extra traction and help you prevent getting stuck. Just remember to re-inflate your tires before getting back on the paved roads.
• Bring a satellite phone with you in case of emergencies.
• Refer to the Tanzania National Parks website for current fees to enter the park and payment options beforehand.
• And finally, leave yourself plenty of time to get back to your lodge or campsite before dark.

The Wildlife You May See

There is an abundance of amazing wildlife within the park to see on your Lake Manyara safari.  We saw a ton of animals from the moment we first drove into the park.  The animals that can be found in the park include the following:

Famous Tree-Climbing Lions

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree climbing lions.  While all lions can climb trees, most often they prefer not to as their size doesn’t make them as effective of climbers as leopards.  However, in Lake Manyara National Park, the lions have grown accustomed to climbing trees and whole prides can be seen resting in the trees.

We didn’t get to see the famous tree climbing lions while on our Lake Manyara safari, but our safari guide told us some really amazing stories about driving right up to trees without realizing there were lions in them.  So, if you decide to visit Lake Manyara National Park on safari, make sure you keep an eye out for the famous tree climbing lions.

One of the more amazing wildlife encounters we had while on our Lake Manyara safari was spotting a bull elephant feeding by the side of the road.  He heard us coming, so we didn’t startle him.  That is important because elephants can be dangerous if startled or if they feel threatened.  As we approached, we came closer to have a look at us.  They are such amazing animals.

We also got to see quite a few giraffes while on our Lake Manyara safari.  It is absolutely amazing to see them feeding in their natural habitat.  They are such peaceful and amazing animals.  Every so often, they would take a momentary reprieve from feeding to glance over at us to see what we were up to.

On Safari in Lake Manyara National Park

We absolutely loved our time on our Lake Manyara safari.  If you are interested in seeing what it is like to go on safari in this beautiful park, check out the video of our adventure below.

Safari Tips

When you are on safari, especially in the Ngorongoro Crater where animals seem to be everywhere around you, it is easy to get lost in the experience.  Being on safari is such an amazing experience and you should enjoy every single second of it.  However, if you aren’t careful, you might not get everything out of the experience that you could have.

In order to make sure that you get everything out of your Lake Manyara safari that you possibly can, I have provided some general safari tips below for you to review.

Be Patient and Open Minded

When you are on safari, everything isn’t going to go according to plan.  The weather, the animal’s behavior, and other factors are going to impact where you go and what you see.

Safety First

It is really easy to get caught up in the safari experience and want to get the best pictures you possibly can.  However, safety should always be the primary concern.  To give you some help in how to remain safe while on safari in Lake Manyara National Park, I have outlined some general safety tips for you to review later in this guide.

Don’t Get Stuck Behind Your Camera

Everyone wants to get great pictures while on safari, and you should absolutely bring your camera and take a lot of pictures.  However, if you spend your entire time in Lake Manyara National Park looking thru your camera, you are going to miss out on some of the experience.  I would recommend setting your camera down every-once-in-a-while and just enjoy being in such an amazing place.

Ask Lots of Questions

Make sure you ask your guide a lot of questions while you are in Lake Manyara National Park.  It is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to ask which type of animal you are looking at or why they are doing what they are doing, but your safari guide is there to answer these questions for you.  And believe me, they enjoy answering these questions.  Don’t get home and regret not asking those questions.

Be Conscious of Time

You are going to see some amazing things while you are on safari in Lake Manyara National Park.  However, as I mentioned before, the time that your daily permit is good for is limited. 

Don’t get too caught up in one place within the crater for too long as you might regret not having time to do other things later.  By no means am I suggesting that you should rush thru the crater, but you might not want to linger watching one thing for hours-upon-hours either.

Safety Tips

Being on a Lake Manyara safari can be an amazing and exciting experience, but it can also be a very dangerous experience if you don’t follow the proper safety rules.  In order to ensure that your safari experience is a memorable and safe one, I have outlined some general safari safety rules for you to review below.

Obey Your Safari Guide at All Times

The most important safari safety tip of all is to listen to your safari guide and obey them at all times.  They are there to keep you safe, so let them.

Don’t Stick Anything out of the Safari Vehicle

It is never a good idea to stick anything outside of a safari vehicle.  Whether this be your arms, your feet, or your camera as you try to get a great picture, keep them inside the vehicle at all times.

Don’t Make Frantic Movements

When you are in the safari vehicle, the animals tend to think of the vehicle, and everything associated with it as one homogeneous entity.  However, if you make sudden and frantic movements, or do something else to make you stick out as apart from the vehicle, you may become an object of interest to them.

Never Get Out of the Vehicle

This point cannot be stressed strongly enough. Never, and I mean never, get out of your safari vehicle unless your safari guide explicitly instructs that it is safe.

Never Leave Your Tent or Lodge at Night

This is another point that I cannot emphasize strongly enough.  You should never leave your tent or lodge room at night without a chaperone.  The African bush can be a dangerous place, especially at night, so make sure you follow whichever procedures your safari guide gives you for getting assistance at night.  If they don’t mention this, make sure you ask ahead of time.

Walk, Never Run

If you do find yourself outside of your vehicle and confronted by an animal (hopefully this never happens), then make sure that you stay as calm as possible, walk away slowly (never turning your back on the animal), and NEVER, EVER run away.

Be Careful Around Lakes and Rivers

Unless you are explicitly told by your safari guide that the waters are free of hippos and crocodiles, you should never attempt to swim in a lake, river, or pond.  Even then, I would think twice about doing it.  Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal, and crocodiles are not far behind on the list, so you always have to be safe when even approaching bodies of water.

Safari Photo Gallery

Going on our Lake Manyara safari was such a magical experience.  Being able to see such amazing wildlife in their natural habitat was an experience of a lifetime.  Below are some of the amazing pictures we were able to get while on safari.

If you would like to view some more of my top photos from this trip, as well as photos from some of my many other travel adventures, make sure you are following me on Instagram as well!

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