Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Starting from Arusha, you can reach in less than 130km the Lake Manyara National Park; the area, known for the many animals that live in it, embodies the authentic spirit of Tanzania. At times such as sunrise or sunset, this area is absolutely enchanting and it is in these specific times that you can easily spot animals such as lions, but not only
Lake Manyara, what to see and to do
About an hour and a half from Arusha, and under the Manyara’s cliffs, you can find this national park, an authentic jam that can be a pleasant stop before arriving at Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater. Characterized by forests and baobabs, the area is perfect for a safari in which you could discover many different species that we will reveal to you shortly. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake national park offers a great variety of flora and fauna, with an area of about 330 kmq it’s one of the smallest in terms of area but not one of the less full of curiosities. Among the suggested and unmissable activities there’s the visit to a Masaai camp in order to discover their local customs and traditions up close.
In some periods during the year, it’s possible to go canoeing on the river or to take mountain bike trails along the paths that runs along the lake area
Lake Manyara, the animals that can be admired
What are the animals that can be seen during a safari in Lake Manyara?
In the World Heritage Site of Lake Manyara, it is possible to closely see lions climbing the trees and also many species of birds, including herons and storks.
Among the most particular one, we find the flamingo, who frequently drinks at the lake with its characteristic alkaline water. In addition to all of them, many baboons live in the park, so much that it is said that here there is the largest concentration in the world.
Animals such as elephants, zebras and wildebeests have moved over time to the
Tarangire national park, not so far away, in order to avoid the too abundant rainfalls in this area.
Lake Manyara, when to visit it
When traveling away from Europe, understanding the different seasons and booking at the right time is essential. Tanzania is really big, and choosing the right place according to your holidays is necessary to be able to enjoy the wonders and all the species.
The area of Lake Manyara, is based in Northern Tanzania, and therefore has a dry season and a green one in which there is rain. The rainy season usually starts in november and if initially the intensity is not so excessive, it will become massive in the following months; not recommended going in november for a safari at Lake Manyara. Also we do not suggest going in April and May, when the showers, even more intense, resume, and the temperatures drop.
The best time to visit the park of Lake Manyara and to take many souvenir photos is for sure from January to March, when the rains stop and it is possible to enjoy a mild temperature and many hours of light.
The best safaris to see Lake Manyara
What are the best safaris to see Lake Manyara? Starting from Jambo Jambo, a 8 days and 7 nights trip that touches the 3 main parks in the northern region of Tanzania. If the first day is dedicated to Lake Manyara, in the following ones you could enjoy the wonders of Ngorongoro and then spend two more days in Serengeti and conclude with Lake Natron and Tarangire.
Ndutu safari lasts 9 days and 8 nights, it starts by dedicating an entire day to Lake Manyara, one to Ngorongoro and the 4 following ones are focused on Serengeti-Ndutu, where it is possible to spot the Big Five.
The last safari recommended is the Hakuna Matata one, lasting 7 days and 6 nights. It will let you discover the best parks in northern Tanzania. The discovery path starts from Lake Manyara national park, to which is dedicated a whole day in order to discover 11 different ecosystems. The next day is dedicated to Ngorongoro where, in addition to the crater, it is possible to see many animals. We then continue with 2 days in Serengeti and one in Tarangire.
What are you waiting for to book your Lake Manyara Safari? Choose the best holiday period and set off to discover this incredible Unesco World Heritage national park.
