Lake Manyara National Park offers a wilderness experience in diverse habitats, from its Rift Valley soda lake to dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Apart from a spectacular setting, the park is famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions and the vast elephant herds it was established to protect.
The shores of the lake, encrusted with pink flamingo, attract more than 400 species of birds, many of them waterfowl or migrants. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, Masai giraffe and impala roam the lake shores and the forested valley slopes.
A Lake Manyara safari is a fascinating experience, as the park also features a ground-water forest, acacia tortilis woodland and hot springs called Maji Moto. Troops of several hundred olive baboon appear alongside Sykes monkey and short-eared galago. Cape clawless otter, Egyptian mongoose, hippo and klipspringer are other park residents.
Indeed, Lake Manyara National Park is another gem in Tanzania’s wildlife conservation portfolio. Here’s an overview:
Location: Lake Manyara National Park is situated in northern Tanzania, near the town of Mto wa Mbu. It covers an area of approximately 330 square kilometers (127 square miles), though the lake itself can expand significantly during the rainy season.
Landscape: The park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, ranging from the shallow alkaline Lake Manyara itself to lush groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and grassy plains. This variety of habitats supports a wide array of wildlife species.
Wildlife: While Lake Manyara National Park is smaller in size compared to other Tanzanian parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro, it still boasts impressive biodiversity. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a behavior not commonly seen elsewhere. Other wildlife you can encounter here includes elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, buffalo, and various antelope species. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 bird species recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and numerous birds of prey.
Activities: Visitors to Lake Manyara National Park can enjoy a range of activities, including game drives, birdwatching tours, guided walks, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages. The park’s network of roads makes it easy to explore, and there are several designated picnic areas where visitors can stop and enjoy the scenery.
Conservation: Lake Manyara National Park is part of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO for its ecological significance. The park is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), which oversees conservation efforts to protect its diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
Accessibility: Due to its proximity to popular tourist destinations like Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park is often included in safari itineraries. It’s easily accessible by road from Arusha, the gateway city to many northern Tanzanian safari destinations.
Overall, Lake Manyara National Park offers a unique safari experience with its distinctive landscapes and abundant wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Tanzania’s northern circuit.
