Destination guide

Lake Manyara & Tarangire

Baobab plains, giant elephant herds and tree-climbing lions

This pair of Rift Valley parks makes the classic first or last stop on the northern circuit. Tarangire draws visitors for its baobabs and huge elephant herds, while compact Lake Manyara pairs a lush groundwater forest with a flamingo-fringed soda lake.

By the numbers

~2,850 km²

Tarangire size

one of northern Tanzania's largest parks

3,000+

Elephants

gather in Tarangire in the dry season

Highest density

Baobabs

in East Africa, in Tarangire

~2/3 of park

Manyara lake

the soda lake covers much of Manyara

500+

Bird species

recorded across the two parks

Rare sight

Tree-climbing lions

a Manyara and Tarangire speciality

Best time to visit

The June-to-October dry season is best for both parks, when wildlife concentrates around the Tarangire River and animals are easiest to spot. Lake Manyara's forest and birdlife are rewarding year-round, and the green season from November to May brings migrant birds and flamingos.

Common questions

They complement each other well: Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Manyara for forest, birds and possible tree-climbing lions. Many itineraries include both.

During the dry season from June to October, when animals concentrate around the permanent Tarangire River.

No, sightings are a matter of luck, but Lake Manyara and Tarangire are two of the best places in Africa to see the behaviour.

Tarangire is roughly two hours by road and Lake Manyara about two and a half, making them easy first or last stops on a circuit.