Lake Manyara National Park is a small, unique and stunning safari destination located in the northern part of Tanzania. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large flocks of flamingos, and the view of Lake Manyara itself.
For travelers who are in Zanzibar and looking to visit Lake Manyara, there are multiple ways to get there efficiently. Since Zanzibar is an island, travel requires a combination of air and road transport. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to get from Zanzibar to Lake Manyara National Park.
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Lake Manyara National Park Highlights
By Air: From Zanzibar to Lake Manyara National Park
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Lake Manyara National Park from Zanzibar is by air. The two common options are Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport.
Flights to Arusha Airport:
You will need to take a direct flight from Zanzibar Airport to Arusha Airport. You can book from several local airlines, like Coastal Aviation, Assalam Air, and Precision Air, these companies operate daily flights from Zanzibar to Arusha Airport. The flight takes approximately 1 hour to arrive in Arusha. After arriving, you will take a car for the transfer from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara National Park, which takes around 3 hours.
Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport:
If you can’t find a direct flight from Zanzibar to Arusha, you can use another option which is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is about 50 km from Arusha Airport. And then you can do the same, take your car and start driving to Lake Manyara National Park.
By Ferry & Road Drive
We don’t recommend this option unless you know what you are doing. For adventurous travelers, meaning you don’t care about timing or where to sleep. It is technically possible to take a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, then drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
However, this journey doesn’t go simple as it sounds, you will need to know where and what time you will take a public bus to take you from Dar es salam to Arusha city, and then from Arusha city, you need to know which bus which can take you to Lake Manyara.
Best Lake Manyara Safari From Zanzibar
FAQs on Getting from Zanzibar to Lake Manyara
Can you fly from Zanzibar to Lake Manyara National Park?
There are no flights which can take you from Zanzibar Airport to Lake Manyara like Serengeti. You will need to land at Arusha/ Kilimanjaro Airport and then drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Also, it is possible to land in Serengeti National Park through the Seronera airstrip, and then start your safari with Serengeti, Ngorongoro and then Lake Manyara National Park.
How much is a flight from Zanzibar Arusha Airport?
Flight prices vary depending on the airline and season. On average, a one-way ticket from Zanzibar to Arusha can range from $150 to $500 per person. You can get a cheaper option during low season. But we do recommend all travelers to book your all inclusive packages to avoid thinking about everything in your vacation.
Can you drive from Zanzibar to Lake Manyara National Park?
No, you cannot drive directly from Zanzibar to Lake Manyara National Park since Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania mainland. You would need to take a ferry or flight to mainland Tanzania whether Arusha or Dar es Salam and then drive to Lake Manyara.
