Lake Manyara

Lake
Manyara

Vast flocks of soft pink flamingos gather across the shimmering waters of Lake Manyara, painting the horizon in motion and color. Formed through the gradual shifts of the Great Rift Valley, the lake has become a sanctuary for countless species drawn to its mineral-rich shallows. The algae that thrive here attract a spectacular variety of birdlife, with more than three hundred species recorded, each adding to the lake’s ever-changing rhythm of wings and water.

Highlights

Best Known For

Colorful flocks of birds – over 300 species
Unique alkaline lake habitat
Excellent hippo viewing
Elevated walkway overlooking flamingos

Size

10 to 30 square miles

Topography

Saline/Alkaline Lake

Main Species

Flamingo, Hippo, Lilac-Breasted Roller, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Long-Crested Eagle

Overview

The western corridor of the Serengeti is a special place seldom explored by those visiting the Serengeti. It is a remote and unique part of the famous Serengeti. The corridor stretches west from Seronera in the central Serengeti to almost Lake Victoria. The relatively narrow corridor is roughly 50 miles long and is characterized by dense stands of acacia trees interspersed with broken woodlands and open plains. The dominant feature is the Grumeti River, which runs almost the entire length of the corridor.

The western corridor straddles the northward migration route of the enormous wildebeest herds. Typically in mid May (the beginning of the dry season), the great herds begin to depart the plains and follow the Mbalageti and Seronera Rivers into the western corridor. The western corridor is the wildebeest’s wet/dry transitional zone. The vast herds will remain here until about July when the dry season completely parches the land and they must venture north towards Kenya and its greener pastures.

The pinnacle of the northward wildebeest migration takes place in the western corridor with the famous Grumeti River crossing. The river is infested with the Nile crocodile, the world’s largest crocodile. For some of these prehistoric animals, it has been a year since they have last eaten and they eagerly await the wildebeest river crossing. Additionally, The Grumeti River also supports a unique riverine forest, which is home to the beautiful black and white colobus monkey.

The western corridor is also home to significant numbers of resident wildlife. There are large populations of resident wildebeest and zebra that do not join their migratory cousins as they pass through every year on their journey northwards. Other resident animals include giraffe, buffalo, eland, topi, impala, waterbuck and Thomson’s gazelle. These resident animals support large concentrations of predators including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. The big cats are frequently sighted but not to the extent as seen in the central Serengeti. However, there is simply no other area in Africa that could compete with the central Serengeti’s localized predator densities.

The best time to visit the western Serengeti is from late May to mid July, which coincides with the northward wildebeest migration. Additionally, mid to late November is a good time to catch the southward migration when a significant portion of the wildebeest herds gather in the west before making their final movement to the southern plains

Seasonal Highlights

Lake Manyara

Month
Season
Recommended
Weather
Wildlife Sightings
Jan
Green Season
NO
60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers
- - - - - - - - - -
Feb
Green Season
NO
60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers
- - - - - - - - - -
Mar
Green Season
NO
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers
- - - - - - - - - -
Apr
Green Season
NO
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers
- - - - - - - - - -
May
Northward Migration
YES
56 - 81 F Mostly sunny
Possibility of the Wildebeest Migration in mid to late May, Giraffe, Impala, Crocodile, Hippo
Jun
Beginning of Dry Season
YES
56 - 81 F Mostly sunny
Wildebeest Migration, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Crocodile, Hippo
Jul
Dry Season
YES
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny
Wildebeest Migration, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Crocodile, Hippo
Aug
Dry Season
YES
55 - 81 F Mostly sunny
Giraffe, Impala, Hippo, Resident Wildebeest and Zebra
Sept
Dry Season
YES
55 - 81 F Mostly sunny
Giraffe, Impala, Hippo, Resident Wildebeest and Zebra
Oct
Dry Season
YES
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny
Giraffe, Impala, Hippo, Resident Wildebeest and Zebra
Nov
Southward Migration
YES
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny
Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Hippo, Resident Wildebeest and Zebra, and Possibility of the Wildebeest Migration
Dec
Beginning of Green Season
NO
60 - 83 F Mostly sunny
- - - - - - - - - -