Tanzania · Safari

1-Day Lake Manyara Safari from Arusha with Tree-Climbing Lions

1 Day Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover unique tree-climbing lions and huge baboon troops in Lake Manyara National Park
02 Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint near Lake Manyara with flamingos and pelicans
03 Explore lush groundwater forest, acacia woodlands, and open plains on a full-day game drive
04 Look out for over 400 bird species, including waterbirds around the lake
05 Visit the Hippo Pool and optionally add the Treetop Walkway or Mto wa Mbu village experience

Lake Manyara National Park is a fantastic choice for a day trip from Arusha, offering diverse wildlife, stunning scenery, and fewer crowds. It is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and pink flamingos along the lake. This full-day safari also takes you through lush groundwater forest, acacia woodlands, and open plains, with chances to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, and an impressive variety of birdlife.

It is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and pink flamingos along the lake.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Lake Manyara

Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park Safari

Start & End Location: Arusha
Distance: ~126 km (~2-2.5 hours one way)
Duration: Full-day safari (6:00 AM - 6:30 PM)

6:00 AM - Depart from Arusha

Early morning drive toward Lake Manyara National Park.
Stop for a quick coffee or snack along the way (optional).

8:30 AM - Arrive & Start Game Drive

Enter through the lush groundwater forest, home to:
Tree-climbing lions (unique to Manyara and a rare sight in Africa)
Huge baboon troops
Elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes
Leopards and spotted hyenas (rare but possible)

Treetop Walkway (Optional): A 370 m canopy walk for a unique perspective of the forest.

12:30 PM - Picnic Lunch by Lake Manyara

Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic viewpoint near the lake.
Watch flamingos, pelicans, hippos, and other waterbirds.

1:30 PM - Afternoon Game Drive

Drive to the acacia woodlands and open plains to spot:
More elephants and giraffes
Hippos at the Hippo Pool
Birdwatching - over 400 species

Optional Cultural Visit: Stop at Mto wa Mbu village to experience Maasai and local life.

4:00 PM - Drive Back to Arusha

Begin the return journey after an amazing day of wildlife spotting.
6:30 - 7:00 PM: Arrive back in Arusha.

Where this trip takes you

Lake Manyara National Park, tree-climbing lions in groundwater forest, Hippo Pool, Mto wa Mbu village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park entry fees
Safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
Professional guide/driver
Picnic lunch and bottled water

What's Not Included

Tips for guide/driver (~$10-$20 per person)
Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol)
Optional activities (Treetop Walkway, Maasai village visit)

What to bring

Comfortable clothing suitable for a full-day safari
Sun protection
Camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing and birdwatching
Cash for tips, drinks, and optional activities

Know before you go

This is a full-day safari from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
The drive between Arusha and Lake Manyara National Park is approximately 126 km, or about 2-2.5 hours each way.
Optional activities include the Treetop Walkway and a cultural visit to Mto wa Mbu village.
A quick coffee or snack stop along the way is optional.

Logistics