Lake Manyara National Park
Location: Northern Circle
Pristine streams flowing into Lake Manyara, dense forests, towering mountains and a hot spring - all this makes up Lake Manyara National Park. The lush green vegetation consisting of tall trees of the groundwater forest, the tree-climbing lions, the soda lake with thousands of pink flamingos, large water birds and troops of baboons and blue monkeys as well as the Rift Valley make this park unforgettable. The park derives its name from a plant called Euphorbia tirucalli, known as Emanyara in the Maasai language.
The park can be visited all year round; expect short rains in November and December and long rains from February to May. The dry season lasts from the end of June to October. The park is situated at an altitude between 850 and 2000 m above sea level.
The park can be reached by paved road and by plane to Manyara Airstrip.
Wildlife
Apart from the lions resting in the trees, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, leopards, occasional cheetahs and giraffes can be seen in the park. Large groups of baboons, velvet monk-eyes and other primates line the road during safari.
This dense evergreen Marang' forest is home to bushbuck, primates and a variety of bird species.
Birdlife
The park offers over 390 species of birds, both migratory and resident, including 50 birds of prey, rough hornbills, pink flamingos and pelicans.
Lake Manyara National Park is a birding destination. Visitors can see up to 100 different species of birds in a day.
Activities
Besides a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, you can also go on a guided walk or treetop walk, as well as canoeing.
The walk leads into the hills to areas with a higher concentration of wildlife and varied habitats. If you choose to do this, you will have a great opportunity to experience nature and wilderness.
The canoe ride goes along the escarpment with the evergreen forests so that the bird and animal species can be seen up close.
The park has one of the longest treetop walkways in Africa, offering a unique view of birds, butterflies and monkeys.
Outside the park, the region can be explored by bicycle. The trail leads through the town of Mto wa Mbu to Lake Manyara forest and finally to the lakeshore outside the park.