Lake Manyara National Park / Tarangire National Parks which one is better?

Both Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Park lie within the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley and offer excellent game viewing for visitors throughout the year, and are opposite each other only separated by a few villages, and Lake Manyara itself.

As you may be asking yourself which is Better Between Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park it can only explain below

Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks are two of Tanzania’s most popular wildlife destinations. Located in the northern part of the country, they offer visitors a chance to experience the incredible natural beauty and wildlife of Tanzania up close.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its diverse habitats and stunning landscapes. The park is named after the beautiful Lake Manyara, which covers over two-thirds of the park’s total area. The lake is a haven for thousands of flamingos and other water birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. In addition to birdwatching, visitors can also take guided walks, game drives, and cultural tours.

Lake Manyara National Park


One of the highlights of Lake Manyara National Park is the tree-climbing lions. These majestic big cats have developed a unique behavior of climbing trees to escape the heat and avoid insects on the ground. It’s a rare sight to see these lions perched high in the branches, and visitors to Lake Manyara National Park should keep their eyes peeled for this unique behavior.

Tarangire National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its large herds of elephants. During the dry season, hundreds of elephants migrate to the Tarangire River to drink and cool off, making it one of the best places in Tanzania to see these magnificent animals up close. The park is also known for its iconic baobab trees, which are a favorite among photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Tarangire National Park

  • Tarangire has more open space, to see exciting wildlife, and is dotted with baobab trees and acacia savannas
  • Vast seasonal swamps attract hundreds of elephants and gather large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, and eland, followed by a host of predators like lion, cheetah, leopard, and the rare wild dogs.
  • It is estimated that at the height of the dry season, June-October the density of larger animals elephant, buffalo, zebra, eland, and wildebeest is only second to Ngorongoro crater world-wide
  • Huge baobab trees are characteristic of Tarangire and have been described by a naturalist as a complete ecosystem unto themselves
  • Tarangire is one of the finest places in Tanzania to watch elephants and spend unhurried time in the presence of these intelligent giants.
  • Tarangire is also a birding paradise with more resident breeding species than anywhere else in Tanzania
  • Tarangire is the only place on the northern circuit where one can luckily see both greater and lesser kudu, and also find Oryx

Tarangire Best time to visit

  • Dry season June –October {excellent and overwhelming game viewing }
  • Short rains November-February {Good game viewing}

Lake Manyara National Park

  • Lake Manyara has at least 5 very different habitats existing side by side, and to see exciting wildlife within them.
  • At the south end of the park the extensive hot water springs as a testament to the tectonic nature of the Rift Valley.
  • There is a long walkway out across the steaming rivulets and reed beds of the lake edge giving some magnificent views up and down the full length of this part of the Rift Valley.
  • There are copious groundwater springs on the northern end, spilling water from the base of the Rift Valley wall
  • Most of the characteristic East African mammals are found in Manyara including elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, leopards, giraffes, and other big game
  • Lake Manyara is an excellent birding paradise with more than 425 species of birds recorded here, and the highest raptor number than any reserve.
  • The largest troops of olive baboons have been recorded here
Best time to visit
  • Dry season June-October (Good game viewing)
  • Short rains October-March (Excellent game viewing)

In addition to elephants and baobab trees, visitors to Tarangire National Park can also spot lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, and other wildlife. Guided walks, game drives, and hot air balloon safaris are all popular activities in the park.

Both Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and wonder of Tanzania’s wildlife and landscapes. Whether you’re interested in birdwatching, elephant watching, or simply soaking up the natural beauty of Tanzania, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks are must-visit destinations. So, whether you choose Lake Manyara or Tarangire, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience in Tanzania’s incredible national parks.

From our opinion both parks fits well into northern circuit safari itineraries, but to really experience Tarangire we recommend at least give two days here especially during the months of {June-October}

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