Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and is the perfect location for an active safari in Tanzania. With canoeing on the lake, or mountain biking and abseiling outside the park’s borders. It is located on the way to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Lake Manyara National Park is well worth a stop in its own right.
Tucked below the majesty of the Rift Valley wall; Lake Manyara National Park consists of a thin green band of forests. It is flanked by the sheer 600 m high red and brown cliffs of the escarpment on one side. And the white-hot shores of an ancient soda lake on the other. This wedge of surprisingly varied vegetation supports a wealth of wildlife. Acacia woodland shelters the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Lying languidly among the branches in the heat of the day. Feeding in the undergrowth or dozing in the dry riverbeds are the country’s densest populations of buffalo and elephants.
Tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara National Park
In addition to the lions; the park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. A fact that makes for interesting game viewing of large families of these primates. However, Lake Manyara is most famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingos. That migrate to the lake in their thousands from November through to April.
Deep in the south of the park, hot springs bubble to the surface. While hippos wallow near the lake’s sedge-lined borders. The park’s dazzling variety of birds includes thousands of red-billed quelea, pelicans, cormorants, and the pink streaks of thousands of flamingos. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park.
Lake Manyara Activities
Lake Manyara Safaris:
Wildlife found includes elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, and much more. Game drives in open 4x4s during the day and night drives are possible for any guest staying inside the park.
Birding:
More than 400 species have been recorded in this park. Including, at certain times of the year, the thousands of pink-hued flamingos.
Other Activities
Cultural tours in the nearby town of Mto wa Mbu, mountain biking down the Rift Valley escarpment. Forest hikes and canoeing are also possible in the surrounding area.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania
The dry season (July to October) is best for large mammals. While the wet season (November to June) is best for bird watching, waterfalls and canoeing.
