When To Visit Lake Manyara National Park

When To Visit Lake Manyara National Park : Lake Manyara National Park is a year-round Tanzania safari destination, but the dry season, which runs from June to October, is considered the best time for game viewing.

Lake Manyara National Park is located at the base of the River Valley Escarpment. Unlike the more savanna-dominated parks, its groundwater forests provide a more varied landscape. The northern section of the park is very crowded during the peak tourist season, which is from June to October; however, the park experiences rain during the months of March and April, making it the low tourist season.

LAKE MANYARA WEATHER

Lake Manyara National Park has two main seasons in a year: the dry season and the wet season, each with its own set of benefits, as highlighted below.

The Dry Season

The park experiences the dry season from June to October, which is also known as the peak tourist season. The long dry season occurs in Late May to October, when a large number of tourists flood the park, resulting in more expensive safari tours due to high demand for accommodation. During that time of year, the animals congregate around the few remaining water sources, and because the vegetation is sparse, they are easily visible. This time of year is also highly recommended for visiting because there is a lot of sun with little rain, and because mosquitoes are scarce, there is a lower risk of contracting malaria. Because it gets cold in the mornings during this time of year, you should bring warm clothes for the early morning game drives. The dry season is not a good time to visit, especially if you want to travel on a tight budget.

The wet season

When To Visit Lake Manyara National Park
Tree Climbing Lions

The wet season lasts from November to May in Lake Manyara National Park. The rains bring new life to the park’s terrain, reviving the dried vegetation and revealing beautiful green scenery. In general, the rates are lower because the place is less crowded during the low season in April and May. Although the best wildlife viewing occurs during the dry season, Lake Manyara National Park offers excellent wildlife viewing all year. During the wet season, many migratory birds are seen in the park, making it the best time to see Lake Manyara birds.

The short rains begin in November and December, when it is generally hot with average temperatures of 35 °C (95 °F) and short thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. This is followed by the long rains that start in March. Most roads in the park may become impassable due to rain, especially during the months of March, April, and May, when Lake Manyara National Park experiences the heaviest rains.

This is the best time of year to enjoy a budget Tanzania safari because there are fewer tourists visiting the park and most accommodation facilities are offering great discounts, lowering the overall cost of a safari in Lake Manyara National Park.

IN SUMMARY

The best time to see large mammals in Lake Manyara National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to October and January to February, and the best time to see birds is during the wet season, which runs from November to December and March to May.

HOW TO GET TO LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

A road safari from Arusha takes about 2 to 3 hours to reach the entrance gate. The road to the park is well surfaced, but the inner roads may require a good four-wheel-drive vehicle. As you approach the northern park entrance, you will pass through the town of Mto wa Mbu, where you can visit the local market. A number of indigenous tribes have lived and traded in this town since colonial times. The Maasai, Datoga, Irangi, and Chagga are among them.

This park is accessible all year, but it is usually best to visit during the dry season, from July to October, when the inner roads are dry and passable.