LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Manyara National Park is small, stretching only some 330 square km (127square miles) along the base of the escarpment with two thirds of it’s surface taken up by shallow alkaline Lake Manyara. Its range of ecosystems at different elevations makes for dramatic differences in scenery. At one moment you’re travelling through a fairytale forest of tumbling, crystal clear streams, waterfalls, rivers, and ancient trees. The next, you are on the lake shore surrounded by a myriad of bird life.

Lake Manyara Deep Forest Blue Monkey

THE DEEP FOREST

In the deep forest where the old tuskers still roam, blue monkeys swing among huge fig trees, tamarind trees, giant baobabs, and mahoganies, using their long tails as an extra limb. In the evening as shafts of dusty sunlight dance in the setting sun, there is an excellent chance of spotting a troop of more than 300 olive baboons grooming each other, chatting and dozing, while dozens of naughty babies play around them and old grandfathers look on with knowing eyes.

Lake Manyara Giraffe

THE WOODLAND

In the woodlands, hundreds of elephants, buffalo and antelope roam, accompanied by Masai giraffes so dark they look as if they’ve been dipped in chocolate. This is a perfect place to see hippos close by as they lie on the banks of the lake, or as they begin to forage as dusk approaches.

Tree climbing lions

TREE CLIMBING LIONS

It is not known why these lions climb and roost in trees, but it has been suggested that this unusual behaviour may have started during a fly epidemic when the cats climbed high to escape the swarms of biting flies on the ground.  Present behaviour is now part of their collective memory.

Lake Manyara flamingoes

THE LAKE SHORE

If you are a birder then put this park on your must-visit list. Because of the great variety of habitats, there’s an even larger variety of birds – more than 400 species have been recorded here. The edges of the lake as well as it’s placid surface attract all manner of water birds, large and small. Along the reed -fringed lake shore you’ll see huge pink clouds drifting to and fro. These ”clouds” are flocks of flamingos. In the thickets at the base of the near-vertical red escarpment overlooking the lake, watch out for Nubian woodpeckers, Silver Birds,  Flycatchers, Ashy and Hildebrandt’s Starlings, Yellow Wagtails, Trilling Cisticolas, Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleus, Peter’s Twinspots, Blue Necked Mouse Birds and every Cuckoo imaginable. The Red and Yellow Barbet is known as the ”bed-and-breakfast bird” for it’s habit of living where it’s eats – inside termite mounds.

Tripadvisor Reviews

  • Kelley K Avatar
    Kelley K
    5 star rating
    22 October 2026
    We had an outstanding experience with Long Way Expeditions from start to finish. Ann made the booking process incredibly easy, communication was excellent, and every detail was well organized. She... Read more
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    Patty G Avatar
    Patty G
    5 star rating
    22 October 2026
    Wow, I don't know where to begin. Looking for a local tour company was overwhelming when I started researching this safari. I stumbled across Longway Expeditions during my search. After... Read more
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    Naziya L Avatar
    Naziya L
    5 star rating
    2 September 2026
    My brother and I had the most incredible 3-day safari experience with Longway expeditions. The trip was perfectly bespoke to suit our needs and budget, and Anne was incredibly hands-on... Read more
  • Gabriela G Avatar
    Gabriela G
    5 star rating
    30 August 2026
    I had planned this trip with my 3 sons and their partners for a long time. We cried when it ended and had to say goodbye to Abu and Anne.... Read more
    RebeccaA126 Avatar
    RebeccaA126
    5 star rating
    12 August 2026
    Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Long Way Expeditions, in particular the marvellous Anne and Abu, who ensured that our family of 4 (including 2 teenagers) enjoyed... Read more
    Nischita K Avatar
    Nischita K
    5 star rating
    11 July 2026
    Fantastic first trip to Tanzania with Longway Expeditions! I was quite nervous about going on safari as a solo female traveller, but Anne from Longway was incredibly patient and helpful... Read more
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  • Mclgn Avatar
    Mclgn
    5 star rating
    23 June 2026
    We chose Long Way Expeditions for our safari based on a friend’s recommendation, and I truly believe it was the best decision we could have made to discover Tanzania!
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    Sabine G Avatar
    Sabine G
    5 star rating
    4 March 2026
    Anne was the best tour organiser She was very patient and worked with me to figure out the best safari format on a very short notice.
    The experience... Read more
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    Lauren L Avatar
    Lauren L
    5 star rating
    21 February 2026
    I came across Long Way Expeditions from responsibletravel.com when looking for a travel provider that was local and eco-conscious. We promptly heard from Ann, one of the owners, and after... Read more
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  • Aziza63 Avatar
    Aziza63
    5 star rating
    12 November 2025
    This was my best safari by far,and I have done many. I found Longway expeditions through Responsible travel. From my very first contact with Ann, I found her... Read more
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