Lake Manyara Safari Day Trip Tour
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Duration
Tour highlights
Stretching for 50 kilometers along the base of the rusty–gold 600 meters high Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”.
Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 330 square kilometers which is equivalent to 127 square miles, of which up to 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) is covered by Lake Manyara when water level are high. Lake Manyara National Park is located in the northern Tanzania. The entrance gate lies 1.5 hours (126 kilometers/ 80 miles) west of Arusha along a newly surface road, close to the ethnically diverse market town of Mto wa Mbu.
The best way to get to Lake Manyara National Park
You can reach Lake Manyara National Park by road, by charter or scheduled flight from Arusha Airport en–route to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park can be visited during dry season which is July–October for large animals. Wet season is (November–June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing special activity.
Itinerary idea in detail
You'll depart from Moshi after breakfast and begin the drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, but we'll pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu Village along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise.
After a brief stop at the village market, you'll enter Lake Manyara, National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewings in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.
Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly colored lilac-breasted roller. You'll return to Arusha in the late afternoon.
Under the right conditions, it is also possible to take a guided canoe safari out on the lake. Consult your safari guide to see if this activity will be available for your visit.
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
- All park/entry fees
- Game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop up roof
- Lunch
- Services of professional safari driver guide
- 1.5 Bottle of mineral water per person.
- Flight tickets
- Arusha town accommodation
- Tours to Zanzibar Island
- Items of a personal nature such as passport
- Visa
- Traveler’s insurance
- Alcohol
- Medical evacuation insurance
- Tips
- Any airport pick up or departure transfers.
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Testimonies
Words From Our Happy Clients
We have been receiving reviews from our served clients and We are rated 5/5 by customers. This honor is given to us by customers because we always remain committed to all our customers to do whatever is needed by them to make their safari fully satisfied.
Jeremy S2025-09-26Verified Incredible Safari Expereince We had the most incredible 7-day custom safari with Velam Safaris through the Serengeti and Northern Tanzania. From the very beginning, Adam and the entire Velam team went above and beyond to make our trip special. They carefully crafted the perfect itinerary based on our interests and desires, ensuring every detail was thought through.One of the highlights was having a professional photographer join us, capturing every moment so we could fully immerse ourselves in the experience. The team’s knowledge of the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture was outstanding, and everything about the trip felt seamless and well-coordinated.The accommodations and food throughout the journey were exceptional, making each day feel both adventurous and comfortable.We can’t recommend Velam Safaris highly enough. If you’re considering a safari in Tanzania, they will make your experience special. Christine L2025-08-18Verified Valence, Outstanding Safari Guide! We had the pleasure and honor of having Valence as our safari guide for seven days in Tanzania this August. This was my first safari and my husband’s fifth, and Valence was by far the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had. With over 12 years of experience, he was professional, full of energy, and always checking in on us with his friendly “Are you good?” He helped us spot an incredible range of wildlife, from zebras and giraffes to lions and cheetahs, and he seemed to know the habits of almost every plant and animal. He could even anticipate animal behavior, from predicting where a leopard would move during a hunt to finding the perfect spot for the wildebeest crossing in the Mara River. He even bought us some roasted bananas to try since we were curious about local cuisine, which made the experience feel even more authentic and special. We also ran into some car issues during the trip, which is quite common on safari, but Valence quickly identified the problem on the spot. As an experienced mechanic, he made the repairs at a nearby town without disrupting our itinerary much. Every day with him felt like a fascinating biology lesson, and thanks to Valence, our safari was both unforgettable and in the best of hands. We would highly recommend him to anyone planning a safari! Jiaming Ji2025-08-13Verified Best Guide - Valence: The Driver Who Made Our Tanzania Safari Unforgettable – Big Five, Perfect Views & Hakuna Matata In Tanzania, your driver is everything — guide, protector, storyteller. We were lucky to have Valence, with 12+ years of experience and a heart of gold. He showed us all the Big Five, river crossings, even lions hunting. He knew every road, avoided dust and breakdowns, and always found the perfect viewing spots. “Hakuna Matata,” he’d say, and we believed it. From day one he called us family — and treated us like it. SwatiUtukuri2025-05-11Verified Felt like home in the midst of the jungle Being Single ladies we were taken care of so much and we felt so safe in the midst of the jungle with barely any network. Safari experience was smooth and so surprisingly magnificent.Adam who crafted our tour itinerary was in touch from day 1 till we landed back . Lolo and Lawrence our guides were nothing less than family :) Nomad292367290962024-03-25Verified Exceptional Safari Experience! Velam Safaris delivered an outstanding safari adventure! From seamless communication to expert-guided game drives, every moment was exceptional. Luxurious accommodations, attentive staff, and a commitment to sustainability set them apart. Highly recommend for an unforgettable safari experience! Mama Bishop M2024-03-25Verified Unforgettable Trip - Organized by Adam This trip was absolutely incredible! A huge thanks to Adam for organizing everything so flawlessly. From the very beginning, Adam was incredibly helpful and responsive, answering all my questions and making sure everything was perfectly tailored to our interests. allen M2024-03-25Verified Exceptional 5-Day Safari with Velam Safaris Velam Safaris provided an outstanding 5-day safari experience. Our knowledgeable guide made every moment memorable with incredible wildlife sightings and insightful commentary. The accommodations were luxurious, and the opportunity to connect with local communities added depth to the journey. Highly recommended for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Africa. Cate H2024-03-22Verified A Fantastic Adventure with Velam Safaris: My 5-Day Tanzania Safari Review I went on a safari trip with Velam Safaris in Tanzania for 5 days, and it was amazing. Everything was well planned, and the trip was fantastic from start to finish.The best part was seeing all the animals. Our guide took us on drives through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We saw lions, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals in their natural homes. It was so cool to be up close to them.Our places to stay were really nice too. We stayed in comfy tents and cozy lodges. Waking up to the sounds of animals and eating tasty meals outside was so nice.What I liked most about Velam Safaris is that they care about the environment. Our guide talked about why it's important to protect nature, and I thought that was great.Overall, I had an awesome time with Velam Safaris. If you want to go on a safari in Tanzania, I definitely recommend them. Thanks, Velam Safaris, for an unforgettable adventure!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more