Depart from Arusha at around 7:00 am after pick up from the hotel or another agreed location within the city. The drive to Lake Manyara National Park takes approximately two and a half hours, passing small towns, agricultural fields, and sections of the Great Rift Valley escarpment before reaching the park gate. Covering roughly 325 sq km, Lake Manyara National Park contains groundwater forest, open grassland, hot springs, acacia woodland, and the alkaline lake itself. 

One of the earliest wildlife encounters near the entrance is often the olive baboon, with Lake Manyara recognised for supporting one of Africa’s largest concentrations of these primates. Elephant activity is common inside the forest sections, while the open areas regularly attract zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and Maasai giraffe.

The game drive continues around the lakeshore where flamingos gather seasonally along shallow water sections beside pelicans and other water birds. Hippos are regularly seen in the pools near the picnic area where lunch is served during the afternoon break. Lake Manyara also carries a long standing reputation for tree climbing lions, though sightings depend entirely on timing and animal movement. 

In some sections, the thick vegetation creates favourable conditions for elusive leopard activity, particularly during cool hours of the day. Following lunch and a final game drive, departure begins in the late afternoon with arrival back in Arusha during the early evening, followed by drop off at the hotel or preferred location. End of tour.