LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania’s finest gems, stretching more than 30 miles (50 km) along the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Explore this natural beauty, a great spot for bird watching and home to a large diversity of wildlife, with the help of your expert guide.
The Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located African wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park) at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment.
The grassy floodplain, contrasting starkly with the intimacy of the forest, with expansive views eastward across the alkaline lake to the jagged blue volcanic peaks rising from the endless Maasai Steppes. See the large buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra herds congregating on the grassy plains.
Manyara National Park provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s bird life. More than 400 species have been recorded in the area, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants, and storks.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF LAKE MANYARA NP
The park’s varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including
- One of Africa’s densely populated African elephants herds, Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions
- As well as large flocks of flamingos, attracted by the algae in the lake.
- Large troops of baboons that frequently lounge along the roadside or blue monkeys scampering nimbly through the ancient mahogany trees.
- Other animals seen are zebras, impalas, monkeys, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and others
REALISTIC FACTS
DRY SEASON RUNS FROM JULY TO OCTOBER. THE SCARCITY OF WATER MAKES IT IDEAL FOR VIEWING LARGE MAMMALS. TRAVELERS WHO VENTURE TO LAKE MANYARA BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND JUNE WILL HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF SPOTTING RARE BIRDS AND ENJOYING THE WATERFALLS AND CANOEING DURING RAINY SEASON.
