Not every great Tanzania park needs a multi-day commitment. Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park sit close to the city of Arusha itself, making them easy, rewarding additions to a northern circuit itinerary — or a genuinely good option if you only have a day or two to spare.

Lake Manyara National Park

A compact park built around a shallow soda lake at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara punches well above its size. It’s known for its tree-climbing lions, a genuinely unusual behavior rarely seen elsewhere, along with large flocks of flamingos on the lake when water levels are right, and dense troops of baboons along the forested entrance road.

Arusha National Park

Overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, Arusha National Park offers something few other parks in the northern circuit do: walking safaris and canoeing are both permitted here, alongside driving. Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest peak, rises dramatically over the park and can even be climbed as a shorter, quieter alternative to Kilimanjaro.

Why They’re Great Add-Ons

Both parks sit close to Arusha, the usual starting point for northern circuit safaris, which makes them easy to slot in on your first or last day without adding significant transfer time. They also offer activities — walking, canoeing, tree-climbing lions — that the bigger parks further along the circuit don’t.

Where They Fit in an Itinerary

Both work best as a single extra day bolted onto the start or end of a longer safari, rather than as standalone destinations — a gentle, easy introduction before heading deeper into Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, or a relaxed final outing before flying home.

Want to add either to your circuit? Our 5-Day Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Trip already includes Lake Manyara, or get in touch to add Arusha National Park to any itinerary.