Feel The Experience

Lake Manyara national park

Welcome to Lake Manyara National Park

Boasting Lake Manyara National Park, at the foothills of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment, you can find the stunning attraction which is located in Northern Tanzania. Lake Manyara National Park is only 330 km2 but offers splendid views with its diverse ecosystems. As much as the lake offers abundant wildlife, the park is also home to a variety of birds. It also contains some famous lion which are known to climb trees and a large number of flamingos as well.

Why visit Lake Manyara National Park

Outstanding Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara is famously known for hosting lions that habitually sleep and lounges in acacia trees which is a rarity for this animal behavior. The mystery behind this unique habit is yet to be found but for many game drives in the park, it is a thrilling highlight to spot the lions along with leopards, elephants, and buffalos that the park hosts.
Diverse Birdlife and Flamingo Population
The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise given that it harbors more than 400 species of birds with thousands of pink flamingos that gather on the soda lake. In addition to the storks, hornbills, and kingfishers that lake and the surrounding wetlands harbor, there are a lot of other resident and migratory birds making the park a must visit for ornithologists.
Potential Areas of Improvement
Though Manyara is not large in size, the park is home to a lot of diverse habitats such as groundwater forests and acacia woodlands, as well as marshes and the alkaline lake. With the hot springs on the Rift Valley escarpment, the park is attractive as it provides stunning panoramic landscapes and great photography opportunities in a small, easy to navigate region.

Activities

There are many things to do and see at Lake Manyara such as watching it’s animals and viewing the landscape. You get to view the animals such as elephants and giraffes through game drives and guided walking safaris allow you to see the park’s plant life and animals. Birdwatching and canoeing on the lake are also common. Cultural tours to Mto wa Mbu village are also popular.

Maasai visit

Game drive

Bird watching

Tree climbing lions

Best Time to visit Lake Manyara National Park

June to October: Dry Season for Wildlife Viewing
It's best to visit Lake Manyara during the dry season which spans from June to October. With water sources dwindling, wildlife like elephants, hippos, and even tree-climbing lions become more visible. Sparse vegetation coupled with clear skies improves visibility for game drives. This period also provides the best conditions for canoeing and walking safaris.
November to December: Short Rains for Birdwatching
From November to December, the parks biodiversity is bolstered with the addition of new migratory birds. This period is also characterized by the short rains that lead to flamingo flocks which are particularly vibrant, and the park is less crowded, offering a peaceful experience. While game drives, cultural tours, and other activities may experience light showers, they are unlikely to disrupt the activities.
January to February: Short Dry Season for Scenic Beauty
The interval from January to February is characterized as the short dry season which is now accompanies by warm weather and a vibrant dry landscape. This period, coupled with water sources means animals are to be spotted more easily. Birdwatching and spotting Newborn animals is also at its peak during this period, alongside the beautiful views of the escarpment.