Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller wildlife reserves, with nearly two thirds of its area covered by the lake. It is incredibly scenic and diverse. The compact game viewing circuit through Manyara offers a virtual microcosm of the Tanzania private safari experience.

Tree climbing lions

Lake Manyara is renowned for its tree climbing lions, hippo pools and thousands of flamingos which give the lake a hazy pink tint. Here you hear the cries of the fish eagle and the grunts of hippos. You watch elephants shake tree branches while giraffes meander the plains lions rest high up in the trees. The park also houses the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world.

Birding paradise

Lake Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s bird life. More than 400 species have been recorded, including raptors. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks. Due to the vastness of the lake, Lake Manyara is a real birding paradise.

Soda lake

Like most other lakes of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is a soda lake that is fed by groundwater. Depending on the season it varies in size. The rest of the area is a thin strip of land located between the lake and the rocks, which can only be reached by a few roads.

Wealth of habitats

Lake Manyara National Park is an unspoiled paradise. Visiting this park is a fascinating experience, as the park features a wealth of diverse habitats. From groundwater forests, acacia woodland, the tranquil soda lake and hot water springs to the steep mountain escarpment forming part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley.

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