Tree climbing lions at Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is known for lions that rest on the branches of acacia trees. Lions live in the acacia woodland, and seeing one in a tree is a matter of luck. There is no separate "tree lion" species: these are ordinary lions that sometimes climb. You can improve your chances with a full-day Lake Manyara safari, but no tour can promise the sight.
The behaviour is not exclusive to this park. A scientific study from August 2026 describes tree climbing by lions and leopards in several parts of northern Tanzania. That puts Lake Manyara in good company, but it also means it is not the only place where you can see it.
Why do lions climb trees?
There are three ideas, and none is proven on its own.
Cooler air
A branch may offer more breeze than the ground. This idea is linked to heat, but temperature was not measured in the paper, so it stays a hypothesis.
Fewer biting flies
Lions may avoid stinging flies by resting higher up. Insects were not measured directly either.
A better view
A high branch gives a wide view over the grass and a place to watch for prey or other lions.
The ideas can all be true at the same time. Researchers describe links, not a single cause. Across all observations in that study, tree climbing was more often seen in the rainy season and in the afternoon. That is a pattern across many places and years, not a current sighting rate for Lake Manyara, and it is no schedule for your drive.
Our pick: a Lake Manyara game drive
This two-day trip includes a game drive in Lake Manyara, where tree-climbing lions are sometimes seen but never guaranteed.
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.
Lake Manyara safaris and day trips
Full-day game drives and day trips from Arusha, with live prices and availability.
Tree climbing lions in Tanzania: where else to look
Lake Manyara is not the only option.
Because tree climbing has been recorded in several areas of northern Tanzania, it is worth keeping an open mind about the rest of your route. Lions in other parks have their own guides, for example lions in Ruaha in the south. If tree climbing lions are the main reason for your trip, plan more than one drive and do not base the whole holiday on a single sighting. A combination with other parks gives you more chances to see lions in general.
Where in the park to look
Lions use the acacia woodland of the park. Your guide will know which tracks run through the right habitat. Scan the lower branches of large acacias as you drive, and look for tails or paws hanging down, which are often easier to spot than the animal itself. Binoculars help, and a patient pace helps more. The lakeshore and the forest are the better places for other wildlife; our animals page shows what each habitat offers.
Rules for watching lions
Stay in the vehicle and on the tracks. Do not feed the animals, call to them or crowd them. There is no single distance in metres to memorise, so follow your driver and guide and keep a safe gap. Lions that rest in a tree are not posing for you, and a long stop at a good distance is better for them and for your photos.
How to improve your chances
Practical steps that do not rely on promises.
Take a full day
More time in the acacia areas gives you more chances. Half-day visits leave less margin. See the day trip page.
Ask your guide
Tell your guide that you want to look for lions in trees. A local driver can share recent sightings and suggest where to slow down.
Check the season
The rainy season and the afternoon were more often linked to climbing in the study, but the rains also affect roads and visibility. See weather and seasons before you choose dates.
Plan for other sights
Hippos, baboons, giraffes and birds make a day worthwhile even if the lions stay on the ground.
Tree climbing lions: frequently asked questions
Do all lions at Lake Manyara climb trees?
No. Lions in the park are ordinary lions, and climbing is occasional behaviour. The number of lions that climb is not known, so any statement about it is a guess.
Is Lake Manyara the only place where lions climb trees?
No. A scientific study from August 2026 describes tree climbing by lions and leopards in several areas of northern Tanzania. Lake Manyara remains well known for it.
What is the best time of day to see them?
No time guarantees the sight. Across the observations in the 2026 study, tree climbing was more often seen in the afternoon, but that pattern does not predict a single drive.
Can I be sure to see a lion in a tree on a day trip?
No. It is a matter of luck. Some visitors see it, and many do not. Treat it as a bonus.
Is this site run by the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not run by TANAPA or any authority, and it has no link to safari operators or lodges.