Manyara Ranch Conservancy

Northern Tanzania


Occupying an important wildlife-dispersal area northwest of Tarangire National Park, the privately run, 140-sq-km Manyara Ranch Conservancy is a critical cog in the ecosystem of Northern Tanzania's Maasai Steppe.

The conservancy began life as a colonial cattle ranch, which later fell into disuse. Thanks to the African Wildlife Foundation, which runs the conservancy, vegetation is recovering and wildlife is returning to the area.

Already there are fairly reliable year-round populations of elephants, lions (two small resident prides), leopards, hyenas (striped and spotted), giraffes, zebras and other herbivores. More than 300 bird species have also been recorded here.

True to the conservancy model, the project is not just about protecting wildlife: the AWF works closely with neighbouring Maasai communities to ensure that they receive some benefits from the wildlife that lives in their midst.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Tanzania attractions

1. Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

17.25 MILES

Enjoy a guided bird's-eye view of Manyara on Tanzania's first treetop walkway (370m). It begins at ground level and climbs gently into the canopy,…

2. Lake Manyara National Park

17.45 MILES

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller and most underrated parks. While it may lack the size and variety of other northern-circuit…

3. Poachers' Hide

26.04 MILES

Southwest of Tarangire Hill, a couple of hundred metres west of the main north–south track through the park, Poacher's Hide is a marvellous old baobab…

4. Tarangire National Park

29.49 MILES

Welcome to one of Africa's most underrated parks. Thanks to its proximity to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Tarangire is usually assigned only a day visit…