Best Tarangire, Lake manyara

Safari summary

2-Day Safari exploring the wildlife, landscapes and natural beauty of Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park, two distinctive destinations in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.
Tarangire National Park is well known for its large elephant population, impressive baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which is an important water source for wildlife. The park has a mixture of open grasslands, acacia woodlands, seasonal swamps and riverine areas, creating excellent habitats for many animals. During the game drive, you can look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas and other antelopes. Lions are also found in the park, while the diverse habitats support a wide variety of bird species.

The Tarangire landscape is one of the most distinctive in northern Tanzania. The combination of huge baobab trees, wide grasslands and groups of elephants creates excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. During the dry season, many animals gather around the Tarangire River and other remaining water sources, making wildlife easier to observe. The park also provides opportunities to see smaller animals and a variety of birdlife while exploring different parts of the park.

Lake Manyara National Park offers a completely different environment. Located beneath the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park contains groundwater forests, acacia woodland, open grasslands, wetlands and the shallow waters of Lake Manyara. These different habitats support a rich variety of wildlife. During the game drive, visitors may see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and several species of monkeys.

Lake Manyara is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, with waterbirds and forest species found throughout the park. Depending on the season and water conditions, flamingos may be seen around the lake. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting in the branches of acacia and other trees, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Together, Tarangire and Lake Manyara offer two contrasting wildlife experiences. Tarangire provides the dramatic setting of baobabs, elephants and open savannah, while Lake Manyara combines forest, wetlands, the Rift Valley landscape and abundant birdlife. This makes the two destinations a strong combination for experiencing the wildlife and natural diversity of Tanzania's Northern Circuit in two days.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Easy activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Lake Manyara Tarangire

What’s included?

• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Meals
• Park fees
• Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

• All drinks
• Internal flights
• International flights
• Tips and gratuities