Lake Manyara National Park offers a one-of-a-kind wilderness experience, showcasing a diverse array of landscapes that include the Rift Valley soda lake, sprawling open grasslands, dense woodlands, and breathtaking mountainsides.
The Park is located in northern Tanzania and is named after its alkaline lake. The lake is an important habitat for many bird species and is particularly popular with greater and lesser pink flamingos between November and April. You can also spot pink-backed pelicans, yellow-billed storks, grey herons, and hippo pods.
The park has marshlands, grassy plains, and acacia woodlands that are home to tree-climbing lions and long-tusked elephants. You can see giraffes wandering around the grasslands while buffalo, zebras, and wildebeests graze in herds.
Lake Manyara National Park is a convenient 90-minute car ride from Arusha and is easy to combine with a safari in the Serengeti, Tarangire, or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Manyara National Park is a year-round destination, though birders may want to visit when the migratory birds are in the area and photographers, around the rains, when the landscape tends to be more photogenic.
Best time to see the animals: During this period, the vegetation is less dense and the animals congregate around waterholes, making them easier to observe.
Pleasant weather: Sunny days with little rain and moderate temperatures.
Dry landscape: The park is drier, but views over the plains are unobstructed.
Best time for birdwatching: Lake Manyara is home to thousands of migratory birds, including pink flamingos, providing spectacular scenes for birdwatchers.
Green landscapes: The vegetation is lush, and the park is beautiful with bright colours, although animals can be harder to see due to the dense vegetation.
Low tourist season: Fewer visitors, offering a quieter, more intimate experience.
March to May: This is the period of heaviest rainfall, making some roads difficult to access. However, the park's natural beauty is at its best, with waterfalls and active wildlife.