Lake Manyara (Tanzania) and Queen Elizabeth (Uganda) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Lake Manyara | Queen Elizabeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Tanzania | Uganda |
| Type | National park | National park |
| Approx. area | 649 km² | 1,978 km² |
| Best time | June to February | June to September and December to February |
| Suggested stay | 1–2 days | 2–3 days |
| Main gateway airport | Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) | Entebbe International Airport (EBB) |
| Big Five | Not all five | Not all five |
| Malaria | Malaria area: see a travel doctor | Malaria area: see a travel doctor |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Lake Manyara | Queen Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| February | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| March | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
| April | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| May | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ some rain |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ some rain |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| November | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
| December | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
How to choose
Choose Lake Manyara if
- you are travelling in October to November
- you want camping
- you hope to see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and flamingos
Choose Queen Elizabeth if
- you want boat safaris and chimpanzee trekking
- you hope to see crocodiles, hyenas and chimpanzees
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Lake Manyara or Queen Elizabeth?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Lake Manyara is stronger in October to November.
When is the best time for each?
Lake Manyara: June to February. Queen Elizabeth: June to September and December to February.
Sources: TANAPA - About Lake Manyara · Weather Spark - Mto wa Mbu · Uganda Wildlife Authority - Queen Elizabeth National Park · Climates to Travel - Uganda (Kasese normals)
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.