Lake Manyara night game drive and other activities
The park offers a night game drive, a walking safari and canoeing as activities led by experienced armed rangers. A night drive shows a different side of the park, since many animals are active after dark. Each activity is arranged separately from the day game drive and has its own rules.
An activity in the park's programme is not a timetable. Whether an activity runs on your dates, and whether there are places free, can only be confirmed when you book. Ask directly, and ask what the price covers.
Our picks: Lake Manyara activities
The overnight trip is the one that schedules both canoeing and the treetop walkway. The day trip with add-ons lets you pick one activity, and the twelve-hour day trip offers a canoe outing when the weather allows.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day Lake Manyara trip with canoe and treetop walkway
- Canoeing and game drive
- Treetop walkway on day two
- Entry and park fees
You sleep in Karatu, in a lodge or camping, with meals and water included. Ask whether the canoe and walkway fees are covered before you book.
Check availability →
Lake Manyara day trip with optional activities
- Park fees and entry
- English or French guide
- Lunch and water
You pick a game drive, a morning canoe, the treetop walkway or a mix when you book. Ask what the activity you choose adds to the price.
Check availability →Lake Manyara day trip: wildlife and culture
- Park entry fee
- Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Lunch and transfers
A canoe outing on the lake is offered when the weather allows, so ask what it costs. The stop in Mto wa Mbu is brief and not a full village tour.
Check availability →Lake Manyara safaris and activities
Game drives, village tours and combination trips, with live prices and availability.
Night game drive
A night drive follows special guidelines.
A night drive is not simply a late day drive. It runs under special guidelines, and start and end times are set by the park. Ask for the departure time, how long it lasts, how many people are in the vehicle and whether the park fee for the day is already included. Because a night drive covers the same forest and floodplains in the dark, it suits a second visit or a longer stay.
You cannot count on a particular animal. Good chances are not a guarantee, and the experience depends on the weather and the night.
Lake Manyara canoeing, walking safari and cycling
Each one needs a conversation with the park or an operator.
Canoeing
Canoe trips are part of the park's activities, priced per 2 hours. Ask whether canoeing is running at the moment before you plan around it. A paddle on the lake is quite different from a game drive, and it is a separate booking.
Walking safari
A walking safari with an armed ranger has to be arranged in advance with the park management. It is described in a short and a long version. Ask about length, start point and what to wear.
Mountain biking
Pre-arranged cycle tours exist from Magara Waterfalls, 12 km before the southern gate. That does not mean you can ride freely on the park's game tracks. A local cultural tourism programme also offers village rides and lake-shore biking outside the park, see Mto wa Mbu.
Treetop walkway
An elevated walk in the forest near the main gate, described on its own page: Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway.
In 2024 the rates were: night drive TZS 10,000 for an EAC adult and $50 for non-EAC adults and residents; canoeing for 2 hours TZS 5,000 or $20. These figures are a reference only. The table below also shows the amounts set for the 2026/27 season. Check the current amount before booking and ask whether the activity fee is in your price.
Activity fees at a glance
Per person, for 2024 and as set for 2026/27.
| Activity | 2024 rate, adult | 2024 rate, child 5 to 15 | Set for 2026/27, adult / child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night game drive | TZS 10,000 (EAC), $50 (non-EAC, residents) | TZS 5,000 (EAC), $25 | TZS 127,750 / 63,875 |
| Canoeing, 2 hours | TZS 5,000 (EAC), $20 | TZS 2,000 (EAC), $10 | TZS 51,100 / 25,550 |
| Short walking safari | n/a | n/a | TZS 51,100 / 25,550 |
| Long walking safari | n/a | n/a | TZS 63,875 / 38,325 |
| Ranger, per group | n/a | n/a | TZS 51,100 |
For most visitors, a day game drive with a night drive added is the practical choice. Walking safaris and canoeing suit travellers who have time and are happy to arrange details in advance. Read Lake Manyara safari for the day option, and day trips for how the day is built.
Compare with other parks
Another northern park runs night drives too.
If you are choosing between parks for a night drive, the page on night drives in Tarangire describes the same idea in a different park. Manyara works well when you want to combine forest, floodplain and lakeshore in one visit.
Lake Manyara activities: frequently asked questions
Is a night game drive possible at Lake Manyara?
Yes, with armed rangers and under special guidelines. Ask for the start and end times and confirm that it is running on your dates.
Can I go canoeing on Lake Manyara?
Canoe trips are part of the park's activities. Ask whether canoeing is running at the moment before you book.
Can I walk in the park?
A walking safari with an armed ranger is possible and has to be arranged in advance with the park management.
Can I cycle in Lake Manyara National Park?
Free cycling on the game tracks is not part of the offer. Pre-arranged tours exist near the southern gate, and village and lake-shore rides are offered outside the park.
Is this the official Lake Manyara website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) or any authority, and it is not connected to any operator, lodge or village programme.