Day game drive safaris at Lake Manyara National Park: Lake Manyara National Park, situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in Tanzania, is an ecological wonder. It is often overshadowed by the more renowned parks in the northern circuit, yet it offers a vibrant, first-time safari experience. The park is approximately 80 miles (130 km) from Arusha, a major city and gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Lake Manyara national park was established in 1960, Lake Manyara National Park was designated to protect the diverse ecosystems and the flamingo populations of the lake and covers an area of approximately 127 square miles (329 square kilometers), Lake Manyara National Park is compact compared to its counterparts. Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its distinctive features that make it stand out from other safari destinations. The park’s fame is primarily attributed to its rare tree-climbing lions.

One of the best ways to explore this incredible national park is through a day game drive safari, where you can witness an array of wildlife and stunning landscapes in just a single day. Day game drives start early and chances of catching sight of a variety of wildlife species during this game drive are high because of how active the animals are at this time of day. Tourists also get to catch the sunrise over the rocky escarpment of the Rift Valley as they drive in the savannah plains.

The day game drive safaris in Lake Manyara National Park typically start in the morning, offering visitors with chance to catch sight of a variety of wildlife species this game drive is high because of how active the animals are at this time of day. Tourists also get to catch the sunrise over the rocky escarpment of the Rift Valley as they drive in the savannah plains. As you venture into the park, you will be greeted by the sights of lush green forests, open plains, and the shimmering waters of lake Manyara itself. This diverse landscape provides the perfect habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, making it an excellent destination for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Another day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park is the afternoon game drive or evening game drive that takes place in the course of the day. As the guide drives the tourists in the savannah and in the heat of the afternoon sun, wildlife sightings are a little unpredictable since at this time of day, the wildlife species seek shelter under the trees and in other hidden locations around the national park.

Day game drive safaris at Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara Tree Climbing lions

During you day game drive safari, you can expect to encounter a wide range of animals including elephants, buffaloes, wildebeest, warthogs, impalas, lions, zebras, giraffes, baboons, and hippos, among others. The park is also home to a plethora of bird species such as pink flamingos, pelicans, storks and many others, making it a greater destination in Tanzania for birdwatchers. Your experienced guide will help you spot these incredible creatures and provide you with interesting information about their behavior and habitat.

One of the highlights of a day game drive safari in Lake Manyara National Park is the opportunity to see the famous tree-climbing lions. these unique lions have adapted to their environment by climbing trees to escape the heat and avoid disturbance from other animals. Watching these majestic creatures as they do with their dial activities such as resting lazily in the branches of acacia trees is a truly unforgettable experience. In addition to the incredible wildlife, Lake Manyara National Park also offers spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley and stunning landscapes. As you drive through the park, you will be treated to the astonishing views of the valleys below and the stunning lake Manyara itself.

Other tourist activities to combine with day game drives safaris in Lake Manyara National Park

Nature Walks

Nature walks in the park is one way you can explore the hidden treasures abd to connect with the park’s ecosystem. Lake Manyara National Park management offers nature walks in some areas of the park with a ranger guide. During the nature walks which take 2 to 3 hours you will follow different hiking trials where you will have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, wildebeest, warthogs, impalas, lions, zebras, giraffes, baboons and hippos, colorful birds, insects and plants that you could easily miss while on a safari. You will also enjoy the cool breeze, view of the beautiful hills, and listen to nice sounds of bird species among others

Canoeing 

Canoeing in Lake Manyara National Park is one of the thrilling activities that is done on lake Manyara which is the famous lake located within the park. Canoeing rides in Lake Manyara are done in different schedules, the day trip is the morning and the evening schedule. During the Canoeing safaris, you will have the chance to observe a large school of hippos and crocodiles in the waters and see other animals like buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants, and warthog’s drinking water at the shores, among others

Bird watching

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the best birding destinations in Tanzania, hosting over 400 different kinds of birds in its ecosystem. During your bird-watching safari, you will have the chance to spot variety of bird species such as Common Ostrich, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Little Grebe, Rock Pigeon, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Kori Bustard, Schalow’s Turaco, Red-chested Cuckoo, kingfishers, pelicans, Pennant-winged Nightjar and Mottled Spinetail and many more.

What is the best time to go for a day game drive safari in Lake Manyara National Park?

The best time to a day game drive safari in Lake Manyara National Park, is during the dry seasons which run from June to October.  During this time, the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to spot animals. Additionally, the animals tend to gather around water sources, making it more likely to see a wild a variety of wildlife. It is also recommended to go for a game drive safari in the easy morning or afternoon as animals are more active during this time

Where to stay while on a day game drive safari in Lake Manyara National Park

Visitors while on a day game drive safari in Lake Manyara National Park shouldn’t worry about the accommodations, the park has got a variety of accommodation options to cater to all kinds of visitors. These accommodations are arranging from luxury, mid-range to budget level such as Jungle Pearl Resort, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, AndBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge, Manyara Best View Lodge, Lake Manyara Serene Safari Lodge, Manyara’s Secret, Maramboi Tented Lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, Mawemawe Manyara Lodge, Kirurumu Manyara Lodge, Chem Chem Lodge, Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp, Escarpment Luxury Lodge, Manyara Safari Lodge, Burunge Tented Lodge, and Burudika Manyara Lodge among others.

Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about Day game drive safaris at Lake Manyara National Park and then Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.

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