Lake Manyara National Park Holidays

If you’re looking for that exclusive safari experience, you’re in the right place at Lake Manyara National Park. Here, game drives are some of the most picturesque, with views of the lake making for fantastic photo opportunities. 

Set off early and spot the lions, elephants, wildebeest, baboons and even leopards stalking the park grounds. Or, if you want to up the excitement, book yourself onto a night drive and go searching for nocturnal predators under the moonlight. 

Alternatively, you could switch things up by heading out on a boat safari. Hop in your canoe and paddle across the glimmering lake, catching sight of the hippos, flamingos and other birdlife as you go.

As we’ve mentioned, flamingos are one of the main attractions of a Lake Manyara holiday. These pink-feathered creatures flock to the lake’s alkaline waters to feed on algae, often in their thousands. The best time to see them is during the wet season when the water levels are at their highest.

Although, flamingos aren’t the only species you can see here. Over the park’s floodplains, you’ll find crowned hornbills, emerald cuckoos, crested guinea fowl and crowned eagles. 

And, if that wasn’t enough, Lake Manyara National Park is also home to pelicans, cranes and kingfishers, in addition to many more birds of prey. So, bring your binoculars and get ready to experience the best bird-viewing destinations across the whole of Africa.

After you’ve soaked up all the beauty of Lake Manyara, you might fancy heading out and exploring more of what Tanzania has to offer. 

Located at the base of a volcano, the town of Arusha is only a short flight away, making it a great add-on before or after your safari holiday. Discover the hiking trails around Mount Meru, visit the town’s snake park, or pay a visit to the Cultural Heritage Centre. 

Then, just 50 kilometres away from Arusha, you’ll find the legendary Mount Kilimanjaro. You can walk to the summit, which will take you between five to nine days. Or, you could embark on a jam-packed day tour, topping things off with a scenic flight above the clouds.

Lake Manyara National Park is considered to be a year-round destination. But, depending on what you want from your holiday, some months might be better than others. 

If you want that traditional safari experience – spotting all the fabulous wildlife across the plains – your best bet is the dry season, specifically January or February. During this time, you’ll get little rainfall, with less vegetation, making for better game viewing. 

Alternatively, if you want to see those famous flamingos, plan to visit in either November or December. You’ll get the odd shower but still avoid the long rains starting in March. You’ll see many other fantastic birdlife and, to top it off, you’ll likely get great rates, too.