Lake Manyara National Park

About the Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in the regions of Manyara and Arusha. It��s situated between the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara. The location of the park is fairly close to both Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Hence, Lake Manyara National Park is a great addition to any safari in the Northern Safari Circuit.

Area – 325 sq. km. (125 sq. miles)
Established in – 1960
Coordinates – 3.4459° S, 35.8093° E
Opening Hours – 6.30 am to 6.30 pm

Even though the park is fairly small, it still offers a brilliant safari experience. Lake Manyara National Park also has many distinct ecosystems (like dense forests and open savannah grasslands). It also has one of the largest concentrations of mammals in Africa.

Best Time to Visit

Game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park is great all year round. But the perfect season for a Safari in Lake Manyara National Park is during the Dry Season (from June to October).

The following is a comparison between the two seasons of Lake Manyara National Park and its safari experiences:

The Dry Season June to October	The Wet Season November to May
Animals can be seen easily because of thinner vegetation.	April and May fall in the low season, so you’ll get to take advantage of low rates.
Lots of sun for great photographic opportunities and there’s hardly any rain.	The game-viewing experience is still excellent in the wet season.
Fewer mosquitoes.	Birdwatching is the perfect activity during the wet season.

Some Insights - Pack a few warm clothing items if you visit the park in the dry season. Because the temperatures get cold in the early mornings.

March to May is the peak of the wet season, so pack weather-sealed lenses for your camera and a raincoat/poncho. Because you should enjoy your safari perfectly – regardless of the weather.

Getting There

From the town of Arusha, you can book a car for a self-drive to the park. Or fly to Arusha Airport (ARK) from Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. Lake Manyara National Park is also just a couple of hours from Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Activities

Finding the right activity that fulfils your interests is vital before Safaris in Tanzania. Because you have to make the most out of your visit. Below are some of the best activities you have to do in Lake Manyara National Park:

Go on a uniquely special night safari!
Walk on top of the world – in a Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway; you’ll also enjoy sweeping views of the landscapes from above!
Take Canoe Rides on Lake Manyara – A puff of adventure!
Get insights into the culture of Tanzania – on a visit to the Maasai Bombas.
Enjoy the best birdwatching experience!

Wildlife

Lake Manyara is home to three species of big cats – cheetahs, leopards, and lions. But, it’s most famous for the population of tree-climbing lions. So, don’t forget to look upwards when you’re on a Safari in Lake Manyara National Park.

Apart from lions, the park also has gigantic herds of elephants and many baboon troops. Skyes’ monkeys, zebras, several species of antelopes, and cape buffaloes can also be seen.

The resident species of giraffes in the park are some of the largest giraffe subspecies. There’s a hippo pond in the park as well. Here, you will get the opportunity to admire hippos relaxing and playing in the mud.

Yet, the major highlight of the park is the unbelievable Birdwatching. There are more than 450 bird species in Lake Manyara National Park. The birdlife is so abundant that you can even see hundreds of species in just a single day.