Lake Manyara National Park is administered by the Tanzania National parks authority and was given the National Park status in the year 1960. Before its recognition as a national park, it was used as a sports hunting area in the 1920s. The park is located about 126km southwest of Arusha. It covers an approximate total area of 325km2 which includes the lake. It is also under an elevation of 960m above sea level. It is part of the much larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, established in 1981 by UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme. Beside the lake are extensive marshlands, saline flats (that expand in the dry season as the surface area of the lake shrinks) and a grassy floodplain. At the area near the park gate there is a tall forest, sustained by groundwater, dominated by evergreen fig and mahogany trees. However, the park very beautiful and contains tremendous diversity of habitats, animals and birds.

The dry season which runs from June to October marks the best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park. This is when plenty of wildlife tend to scatter around the park. Though the park can still be visited all year round.