Lake Manyara, a stunning natural treasure, stretches 50 kilometers along the base of the 600-meter high Rift Valley escarpment, with a landscape praised by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa." Covering 330 square kilometers (127 square miles), the park's area expands to 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) when water levels are high.
Located in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is about 1.5 hours (126 kilometers/80 miles) west of Arusha along a newly paved road, near the culturally rich market town of Mto wa Mbu. The park is accessible by road, charter, or scheduled flights from Arusha Airport, en route to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The best time to visit is during the dry season (July–October) for large animal sightings, while the wet season (November–June) is ideal for bird watching, enjoying waterfalls, and engaging in canoeing activities.