Great Migration
Serengeti
Endless plains, year-round big cat sightings and the Great Migration in Tanzania's most famous national park.
National Park · Tanzania
Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara National Park lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, between the lake and a steep wall of cliffs. In a short drive, visitors pass from groundwater forest to acacia woodland, open grassland and the shoreline of an alkaline lake.
The park is known for its birdlife, with more than 400 species including flamingos and pelicans, and for its elephants, hippos, giraffe, blue monkeys and baboons. Manyara's lions are famous for sometimes resting in trees, though this is not guaranteed.
Canoe trips and guided walks are offered by arrangement in some seasons, and Lake Manyara fits neatly between Arusha, Tarangire and Ngorongoro on the northern circuit.
Highlights
- Groundwater forest with monkeys and elephants
- Flamingos and pelicans on the lake
- Tree-climbing lions, sometimes seen
- Rift Valley escarpment views
- Canoe safari when water levels allow
Best time to visit
June to October is dry and good for general game viewing. November to May suits birdwatchers, as migrant birds arrive and the lake is at its fullest.
Safaris featuring Lake Manyara
We do not have a published safari for Lake Manyara yet. Tell us your plans and we will build one.
More places to explore
- World Heritage Site
Ngorongoro Crater
The world's largest intact volcanic caldera, a natural amphitheatre packed with wildlife.
- Baobabs & Elephants
Tarangire
Giant baobab trees, big elephant herds and the Tarangire River draw wildlife in the dry season.
- Tanzania
Arusha National Park
A small, varied park near Arusha with Mount Meru, colobus monkeys, giraffe and the Momella Lakes.
- Big Five
Masai Mara
Kenya's most celebrated wildlife reserve, famous for the Great Migration, resident big cats and open golden plains.
- Elephants & Kilimanjaro
Amboseli
Large elephant herds roam open plains and swamps beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.