The Tree-Climbing Lions of Lake Manyara
Enter the forests and floodplains of Lake Manyara, where elephants move beneath ancient trees, flamingos gather along the soda lake and lions lounge high above the ground.
At A Glance
Collection | Signature Safari Collection |
Journey Type | One Destination Safari |
Destination | Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania |
Recommended Stay | 4–6 Nights |
Choose From | 1 Luxury Lodge |
Nearest Airport/Airstrip | Lake Manyara Airstrip |
Wildlife Highlights | Tree-climbing lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, baboon, blue monkey, bushbuck, flamingo and abundant birdlife |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
The Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara is famous for its unusual lions, which can often be found resting in the branches of acacia trees. Seeing a lion settled high above the vehicle is one of the park's most distinctive wildlife experiences, although sightings are never guaranteed.
The Groundwater Forest
The entrance to Lake Manyara opens into a lush groundwater forest fed by underground springs. Towering trees create a completely different environment from the open plains of northern Tanzania, with elephants, baboons, blue monkeys and forest birds moving through the shade.
Elephants Beneath the Trees
Lake Manyara is renowned for its large-tusked elephants, which can be seen moving through the forest or across the open floodplain. The combination of dense woodland and open country makes elephant encounters here very different from those in the drier landscapes further north.
The Soda Lake
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The shallow alkaline waters of Lake Manyara stretch across the valley floor, attracting flamingos, pelicans, storks and a remarkable variety of waterbirds. Flamingo numbers are seasonal, but when conditions are right, the lake can become one of the most striking scenes in the park.
Beneath the Rift Valley Escarpment
The Great Rift Valley rises dramatically above the park, creating a backdrop that follows you from the forest to the lake. The escarpment, lake and surrounding woodland give Lake Manyara a sense of scale and variety that is very different from the open plains of the Serengeti.
A Different Side of Tanzania
Lake Manyara offers a completely different rhythm from the vast open plains of the Serengeti. Here, safari moves between forest, woodland, wetlands and lake shore, with primates, elephants, birds and predators appearing in a landscape that changes constantly around you.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
The Tree-Climbing Lions of Lake Manyara is built around &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, the only permanent lodge within Lake Manyara National Park. Hidden among ancient mahogany trees, its elevated treehouse suites place you directly inside the forest, with the park's lake, floodplains and wildlife just beyond.
&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Hidden among the ancient mahogany trees of Lake Manyara National Park, &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge places you high above the forest floor in elegant stilted treehouses. The surrounding landscape shifts from dense woodland to open floodplains and the shimmering soda lake, creating a remarkably diverse safari setting where elephants wander beneath the canopy and famous tree-climbing lions rest in the branches above. With the park's only permanent lodge as your base, days can unfold through game drives, nature walks, night drives and time simply listening to the forest around you.
Best Suited For
Couples and honeymooners seeking a romantic treehouse escape
Wildlife enthusiasts fascinated by Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions
Travellers looking for a lodge that feels completely immersed in nature
Photographers and birding enthusiasts
Guests wanting a more intimate and unusual alternative to larger safari lodges
Travellers combining Lake Manyara with the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti
Lodge Atmosphere
Romantic • Immersive • Elegant • Forested
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 4 Nights | 5 Days
Lake Manyara rewards a slower stay. Four nights gives you time to explore its different habitats without treating the park as a brief stop between destinations, while also leaving room for birding, additional activities and time to simply enjoy the treehouse setting.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into Lake Manyara Airstrip and meet your guide.
Transfer through the park towards &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Settle into your treehouse suite beneath the forest canopy.
Head out for your first afternoon game drive through the forest and floodplain.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-4
Set out on morning game drives in search of tree-climbing lions, elephant and other wildlife.
Explore the groundwater forest, woodland, floodplain and lakeshore habitats.
Spend time watching flamingos and other waterbirds where conditions allow.
Look for baboons, blue monkeys and other forest species beneath the canopy.
Choose additional experiences such as a night game drive, scenic bicycle ride, nature walk or community visit, where available.
Return to the lodge for quiet afternoons and evenings among the trees.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, selected activities where applicable, sundowners, dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a final morning game drive through the park.
Return to the lodge for breakfast before transferring to Lake Manyara Airstrip.
Continue towards the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti or your next destination.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast and/or lunch, air transfer.
The All Out Safaris Perspective
Lake Manyara is one of those places that reminds you how quickly a landscape can change.
You can be driving through dense forest one moment, with elephants moving between the trees, and minutes later the vegetation opens onto the floodplain and the shimmering surface of the lake. Then you look up. A lion is lying in the branches above you.
For us, that is what makes Manyara special. It is not trying to compete with the vastness of the Serengeti. Instead, it brings an incredible amount of life into a much smaller space: forest, lake, wetlands, elephants, primates, birds and those extraordinary lions in the trees. It is a safari of contrasts, and one that deserves more than simply passing through.
Questions about this safari
What wildlife can I expect to see?
The park is known for tree-climbing lions and large-tusked elephants, while buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, baboons, blue monkeys and bushbuck can also be encountered. The lake and wetlands support flamingos and a wide variety of waterbirds, while more than 400 bird species have been recorded in the park.
Will I definitely see the tree-climbing lions?
No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. The lions are one of Manyara's defining attractions, but they are wild animals and their location and behaviour change from day to day. When they are resting in the trees, however, it can be an extraordinary encounter.
Why do the lions climb trees?
The behaviour is particularly associated with the lions of Lake Manyara, although tree-climbing lions are also known from other parts of East Africa. Researchers and guides have proposed several possible reasons for the behaviour, including escaping insects, enjoying cooler air or gaining a better vantage point. The exact reason can vary between individuals and situations.
Is Lake Manyara good for birding?
Yes. The combination of soda lake, wetlands, groundwater forest and woodland creates an exceptionally varied bird habitat. More than 400 species have been recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, herons, fish eagles, hornbills, turacos and migratory species.
What makes Lake Manyara different from the Serengeti?
The landscapes are completely different. Manyara is a compact mix of groundwater forest, woodland, floodplain, wetlands and soda lake beneath the Rift Valley escarpment, while the Serengeti is defined by its enormous open grasslands and plains. Manyara therefore offers a more varied forest-and-lake safari experience, with tree-climbing lions, elephants, primates and birdlife among its particular highlights.
What activities are available besides game drives?
Game drives are the main safari activity, while the wider park offers birding, canopy walks, walking experiences and cultural visits around Mto wa Mbu. At &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, additional experiences can include a night game drive, scenic bicycle ride and community experiences, depending on the arrangements for your stay.
Is Lake Manyara suitable for families?
Yes, although the age of children affects which activities are suitable. &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge offers a WILDchild programme, while private vehicles can be arranged for younger children so activities can be tailored to their ages.
Can I combine Lake Manyara with the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti?
Yes. Lake Manyara sits naturally within Tanzania's northern safari circuit and can be combined with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. This creates a journey that moves from Manyara's forests and wetlands into the crater highlands and then onto the open plains of the Serengeti.
How do I book this safari?
Simply complete the enquiry form below. We'll then hop on a consultation call to discuss and prepare a personalised safari proposal with recommended accommodation, itinerary options and pricing for you to review.
Similar Safaris
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