Lake Manyara National Park

Overview

Lake Manyara is situated on the edge of the Rift Valley, beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment. One-third of Lake Manyara National Park is made up of Lake Manyara itself. Lake Manyara National Park consists of diverse vegetation ranging from grasslands to swamps and lush forested areas, it is home to a range of different animals including elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, and wildebeest. Along with these animals, the park is also known for its large population of flamingos that line the edges of the lake, a natural spectacle of a vibrant congregation.

Lake Manyara National Park is also home to more than 400 species of birds, making it a bird watcher's delight. There is a specific area within the park that contains a hippo pond that allows visitors to view these animals in safety while stepping away from their car. The park is also home to a population of lions who enjoy climbing and sleeping in trees, a unique attraction for visitors to witness.

Lake Manyara National Park Highlights

It may not be as amazing and have as many different species of wildlife as other reserves in northern Tanzania, but its diverse vegetation with savannah, swampland, and evergreen forests hosts such a high concentration of mammals that makes it one of the areas with the highest biomass index in the world.

In its 360 sq. km, a good portion of which is occupied by the lake, it is common to come across elephant families moving in the forest, buffaloes, hippos, and many other species. What's special about the park is also the presence, generally unusual elsewhere, of tree-climbing lions, so-called because they are quite adept at climbing acacia trees, maneuvering themselves up into their branches where they eventually come to relax.

The park is also renowned among birdwatchers because of the abundance of bird species, particularly flamingoes that during the rainy season can gather to form an incredibly large population.

Nobody offers more ways to explore Lake Manyara National Park than The East Africa Wild. Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Lake Manyara Safaris.