Canoe Safaris in lake manyara National Park
Canoe safaris in Lake Manyara National Park constitute one of the prominent safari activities, attracting guests eager to explore the lake while engaging in canoe adventures. Individuals intending to visit Lake Manyara National Park must commence their safari in Arusha town, as the park is situated in the southwestern region of the city. A multitude of avian species can be observed in Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara is a depression lake that encompasses approximately two-thirds of the park. It is an alkaline lake, nourished by subterranean hot springs due to the absence of an outlet.
Canoe safaris in Lake Manyara National Park is characterized by densely forested regions, marshes, saline flats, and green floodplains. The park features a hippo pool located on the southern bank of Lake Manyara and hot springs situated on the western side of the lake. The hippo pool serves as an appealing tourist attraction, with visitors observed capturing photographs on their boat safari on Lake Manyara. Although Lake Manyara National Park is the smallest of the northern Tanzanian lakes, it offers guests exceptional opportunities for relaxation, wildlife drives, and nature walks, which are premier safari activities.
Upon deciding to visit Lake Manyara National Park, you must proceed with the necessary payments. This encompasses the canoeing fees and the park admission fees. The prices, particularly the park entrance fees, vary based on the visitors’ origin. The park entrance costs $70 during peak season and $60 during high and low seasons, respectively. East African citizens will be able to make payments in Tanzanian shillings.
Canoe excursions and safaris occur on Lake Manyara when water levels are appropriate for the activity. This is due to the lake’s alkaline composition and various other factors that produce fluctuations in water levels throughout time. The fee for canoeing is $23.60 for adults and $11.80 for children wishing to engage in this sport at this site. This price is distinct from the park entrance charge.
Canoe safaris at Lake Manyara National Park offer the most picturesque vistas of tourist activities. The park comprises acacia woodlands, Savannah grasslands, and evergreen forests. Canoe safaris in Lake Manyara National Park are conducted with a safari guide, offering optimal information of the mammals there, particularly giraffes, antelopes, elephants, and zebras, among others.
Optimal activities for a canoeing safari encompass bird observation while navigating the canoe. Birdwatching is an additional activity undertaken during canoe excursions and safaris on Lake Manyara, as this region is renowned for its diverse avian species along the shores, including flamingos, dark-delegated cranes, delegated falcons, yellow-charged storks, turacos, rufous-followed weavers, ashy starlings, delegated plovers, fisher’s sparrow warblers, and dark-confronted sand grouse, among others.
Canoe excursions on Lake Manyara, lasting around 2 to 3 hours, allow for the observation of many aquatic animals and can be undertaken in the morning or afternoon, accommodating two individuals per canoe. Lake Manyara National Park is an exceptional location for animal observation throughout the entire year. The optimal period for canoeing on the lake is from June to October, when the climate is agreeable and wildlife is easily observable.
Additional things to do besides canoeing safaris in lake manyara National Park
Game Drives: The game drives in the park allow for the observation of all tourist attractions during morning, afternoon, and evening excursions. It is necessary to rise early in the morning to engage in game drives and observe the animals, particularly while they remain active and readily visible in their natural habitat. Game drives at Lake Manyara National Park provide the opportunity to observe diverse wildlife, including cheetahs, warthogs, buffaloes, zebras, baboons, hippos, klipspringers, and monkeys, particularly in the forested regions of the park.
Maasai cultural visits: Maasai contacts are a form of cultural exchange occurring in Mto wa Mbu, a village en route to Lake Manyara National Park. Tourists engage in diverse activities during these interactions, including visiting traditional Maasai homesteads called “manyattas,” attending traditional Maasai dance performances, crafting beaded jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, listening to folk songs and narratives, touring kraals, and gaining insights into the nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai people. The Maasai, characterized by their unique culture and lifestyle, are also an attraction.
Nature Walks: Nature hikes at Lake Manyara National Park will be under the guidance of a ranger. The safari should also encompass the treetop walkway and the renowned Majimoto walkways during the nature treks. The nature walks offer guests an intimate engagement with the environment, enabling them to enjoy the wilderness and observe significant animals throughout their safari excursions.
Bird Watching : Avian observation activities within the park Lake Manyara National Park offers an optimal setting for tourists to observe a diverse array of avian species, including woodland, aquatic, and forest birds, among others. Flamingos can also be observed along the beaches of Lake Manyara alongside several other bird species, including the black-faced sand grouse, grey-crowned crane, pelicans, storks, and cormorants. Birdwatching in Lake Manyara National Park is greatly enhanced by the presence of both migratory and endemic avian species encountered during your visit.
Community engagement in Mto wa Mbu, a town en route to the park. Tourists engage with the Maasai community to gain insights into their lifestyle during this activity. Tourists engage with the Maasai people while observing traditional dance performances by Maasai warriors, who rhythmically bounce to the yelled traditional music.
How to get to Lake Manyara National Park
Tourists can access Lake Manyara National Park for a canoeing vacation on Lake Manyara by many transit methods, including air and road travel. The public park can be accessed by driving from Arusha to Mto wa Mbu town and subsequently proceeding to the entry gates of Lake Manyara National Park. Air travel bookings and chartered flights to the airfield in Lake Manyara National Park are accessible through many carriers, including Coastal Avionics, Regional Air, and Air Dominance, among others.