Arusha & Lake Manyara
Mount Meru • Momella Lakes • Lake Manyara
Mount Meru
Arusha National Park
Momella
Lakes and wetlands
Birdlife
Varied habitats
Forest
Manyara habitat
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park includes Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes. It can be planned as a day visit or as part of a longer northern route.
Close to Arusha
The park supports colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras and varied birdlife. Walking or canoe activities require advance confirmation, and distant mountain views depend on weather.
Giraffe in open habitat
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara combines groundwater forest, acacia woodland and lake habitat. Water levels, flamingo numbers and all wildlife sightings vary.
Forest, woodland and lake
The diverse habitats support baboons, elephants, birds and other wildlife. Lions may sometimes be seen in trees, but this behaviour and every sighting are unpredictable.
- Wildlife sightings vary
- Lake and wetland habitats
- Groundwater forest
Flamingos
Mount Meru Trekking
Mount Meru is a high-altitude trek within Arusha National Park. Routes, permits, guide arrangements and acclimatisation planning must be confirmed in advance.
Seasonal planning
June – October
Often drier. Wildlife locations, lake levels and mountain visibility still vary.
December – February
Conditions are often drier for part of this period. Bird numbers change with water and food availability.
March – May
Usually wetter. Road, visibility and accommodation conditions should be confirmed before travel.
Two parks, two characters
Planning a visit
Two small parks close to Arusha, easy to add to the start or end of a longer route.
- Getting there
- Arusha National Park is under an hour from Arusha town. Lake Manyara is about 126 km away, roughly 1½ to 2 hours on tarmac.
- Suggested stay
- A day each, or one night if you want an unhurried morning in either park.
- Best months
- June to October is drier. Flamingo numbers at Manyara rise and fall with the lake level and are impossible to promise in advance.
- Landscape
- Mount Meru rises to 4,566 m in Arusha National Park, above the seven shallow alkaline Momella Lakes. Lake Manyara National Park covers around 330 km² beneath the Rift Valley escarpment.
- Worth knowing
- Arusha National Park permits walking safaris and canoeing, which most northern parks do not. Manyara's tree-climbing lions are seen occasionally rather than reliably.
- Access and mobility
- Both parks can be seen from the vehicle. Arusha National Park also offers walking and canoeing, which are optional rather than required. Manyara's roads are short and the park is compact, which suits shorter days.
Journeys that include this destination
Ready-made itineraries you can take as they are or adapt to your dates.
Nearby on the same routes
Places that pair well with this one.
Explore the Northern Gems
Start your adventure with Arusha and Manyara.