Lake Manyara National Park tour from Arusha: Tree-climbing lions

Game drives frame giraffes and buffaloes against the lake itself

A full-day Lake Manyara National Park tour from Arusha includes hotel pickup, a professional English-, Spanish- or French-speaking guide, and six hours of game drives through landscapes where tree-climbing lions rest in acacia branches and birds fill the canopy. You drive along the shoreline watching wildlife in the foreground with the lake behind them, stop to photograph the park's signature moments, and return to Arusha by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Lake Manyara National Park tour

• Depart from Arusha
• Explore Lake Manyara National Park
• Enjoy game drives along the lake
• Observe birds and tree-climbing lions
• Take photos of wildlife and landscapes
• Optional bike tour or boat excursion
• Return to Arusha

The experience

Lake Manyara National Park sits an hour from Arusha, and the tour picks you up from your hotel and drives you straight into the park for the bulk of the day. The game drives follow the lake's edge, where the water and the wildlife line up in a single frame: giraffes and buffaloes graze with the lake in the background, and the light off the water sharpens the photograph. The park is known for its tree-climbing lions, which rest in the acacia canopy during the heat of the day, and for the density of birds. The combination of water, woodland and open grassland draws species that do not overlap elsewhere in Tanzania.

A professional driver and guide leads the drive, speaking English, Spanish or French depending on your preference. The tour runs six hours total, including the drive from Arusha and back. Drinking water and wine are provided throughout the day, and the guide can arrange meals or dietary requests in advance. If you want to extend the experience, the operator can add a bike tour or a boat excursion on the lake itself, though these are booked separately.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Arusha.
• professional driver and guide speaking English, Spanish or French.
• all park entry fees and taxes.
• drinking water and wine throughout the day.
• dietary requirements on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Travel Africa Safari Agency

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're departing from Arusha and want a full day in Lake Manyara without splitting your schedule across multiple days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on a Lake Manyara game drive?

Tree-climbing lions rest in acacia trees during the day, and the park's bird population is one of its main draws. Giraffes, buffaloes and other plains animals appear regularly along the lake shore. The exact sightings depend on the season and the time of day, but the lake's edge concentrates animals in a smaller area than many other parks.

How long does the full tour take from my hotel in Arusha?

The tour runs six hours total, which includes the drive from Arusha to the park, the game drives inside Lake Manyara, and the return to your hotel. You leave early morning and are back by late afternoon.

Can I add activities like a boat trip or bike ride to the tour?

Yes. The operator can arrange a boat excursion on the lake or a bike tour as add-ons to the main game drive. These are booked separately and priced outside the base tour.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup from Arusha, the professional guide, all park entry fees and taxes, and drinking water and wine throughout the day are included. Meals and dietary requests can be arranged on request.