Lake Manyara National Park can be visited year-round, but knowing the seasons helps you plan around what you most want to see. This compact park at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment offers a refreshing change from the open savanna parks, with its groundwater forest and flamingo-fringed soda lake.

Dry season (June to October)

The dry months are best for classic game viewing. Wildlife concentrates around water, foliage thins, and the tree-climbing lions and elephant herds are easier to spot. This is peak season, so the park’s northern section can be busy, especially in the mornings.

Wet season (November to May)

The green season brings lush scenery and superb birding, as migratory species arrive and the soda lake fills, often drawing large flocks of flamingos. March and April are the wettest and quietest months, with lower rates and fewer visitors, though some areas can be muddy.