Lake Manyara National Park

Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park offers a variety of activities for visitors, providing opportunities to immerse in its diverse ecosystem and enjoy its natural splendor.

Game Drives

Game drives in Lake Manyara National Park are divided into day and night sessions, offering unique wildlife viewing experiences at different times of the day. The drives begin early in the morning at 6:00 AM, with an afternoon session starting at 1:00 PM. Night game drives, which focus on nocturnal wildlife, commence at 6:30 PM and continue until 11:00 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy the sunset and nighttime activities of various animals. These drives are conducted in open roof-top 4×4 vehicles or open-sided vehicles, providing optimal opportunities for photography and wildlife observation.

Wildlife Encounters

During these game drives, visitors can expect to see a wide range of animals. The African hunting dog, spotted hyenas, bat-eared foxes, large herds of antelopes, zebras, Thompson’s giant gazelles, and the park’s famous tree-climbing lions are commonly spotted. Additional animals include bush babies, civets, aardvarks, leopards, dik-diks, scrub hares, jackals, and mongooses.

Night Game Drives

Night game drives require advance booking as they necessitate the presence of a ranger and incur an additional fee ranging from $50 to $100 per trip. During these nocturnal adventures, the following zones are typically explored:

• Northern Zone: Includes the Hippo Pool Trail, Flood Plain Trail, and Endalla areas.
• Central Zone: Covers the Endabasha Forest, Central Lake Shore, Maji Moto, and Bagayo areas.
• Southern Zone: Encompasses the Southern Lake Shore Area, Lyambi, Array River, and Majimoto Kubwa areas.

At night, visitors may encounter white-tailed mongooses, lions, hippos grazing, greater and Senegal galagos, common genets, civets, crested porcupines, as well as nocturnal birds such as owls, nightjars, and dikkops.

Bird Watching

Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its diverse ecosystem, which attracts a multitude of bird species. The park is home to over 400 bird species, which can be observed in both the forested areas and along the lake shores.

Bird Watching Experience

Bird enthusiasts are encouraged to start their day early to maximize sightings. During a bird-watching excursion, it’s possible to see up to 100 species in one outing. The park is particularly notable for its Eurasian migratory birds from Europe, which can be seen from October to April. Additionally, vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and storks are a common sight.

The best trails for bird watching include:

• Hippo Pool Area
• Majimoto
• Ground Water Forest

While the optimal months for bird watching are from November to July, bird species can be observed throughout the year, ensuring a rewarding experience regardless of the season.

Walking Safari

Lake Manyara National Park offers the unique experience of a walking safari, allowing visitors to step out of their vehicles and explore the park on foot. These guided walks, conducted by park rangers, are available during the day and can last from 1 to 4 hours. There are two main routes for these walking safaris: the Msasa Trail and the Lake Shore Trail. This opportunity to walk amidst nature provides a more intimate experience with the park’s diverse flora and fauna.

Canoeing

Canoeing in Lake Manyara National Park offers a different perspective for wildlife viewing. Tourists can enjoy a peaceful boat ride, observing animals like elephants, buffaloes, and hippos as they drink from the lake. This activity depends on the water levels of the lake and runs daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Departure times are flexible and can be arranged according to visitors’ schedules.

Filming and Photographic Tours

For those interested in filming and photography, Lake Manyara National Park is a treasure trove of opportunities. The park’s varied wildlife and stunning landscapes provide perfect settings for capturing incredible footage of animals in their natural habitats, engaging in activities like hunting, feeding, and social interactions. The Hippo Pool and the Boardwalk are particularly recommended for taking outstanding pictures and videos. Filming crews are required to pay a fee of $250, which includes entrance, camping, and filming permits.

Best Time of the Year to Visit Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park can be visited year-round, but the experience varies with the seasons. The best time for game viewing is during the dry season, from mid-May to mid-October, when wildlife is more concentrated around water sources. The rainy season, with heavy rainfall, occurs from January to March. However, due to global warming, rainfall patterns have become less predictable, which may cause variations in the best times to visit year after year.

How to Get to Lake Manyara National Park

By Road

Traveling by road is the most common way to reach Lake Manyara National Park from Arusha town, a journey of approximately 147 kilometers that takes about 2-3 hours. The route via the Makuyuni-Ngorongoro road offers scenic views, although the final stretch near the Game Reserve is on Marram roads, which can be bumpy. It is recommended to use a 4×4 vehicle for this journey, with daily rental costs ranging from $200 to $350, excluding the driver’s allowance.

By Air

Air travel to Lake Manyara National Park is available through scheduled or chartered flights. Several airlines operate on this route, including:

• Coastal Aviation
• Regional Air
• Safari Air Link
• Air Tanzania (to Kilimanjaro)
• Zan Air
• Auric Air
• Precision Air (to Arusha and Kilimanjaro)

Flights take approximately 40-45 minutes. Since the park is strategically located along the Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara highway, be prepared for possible stops to drop off other passengers.

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