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Located below the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of just 125 square miles. Despite its relatively modest size, it offers a wide range of ecosystems ranging from ground water forests and bush plains to baobob strewn cliffs and algae-streaked hot springs. Again, for such a relatively small area it is home to an abundance of wildlife and an amazing variety of birds. The bird life is most prevalent on and around the lake where it thrives upon the alkaline soda of the salty waters and is a birder’s dream. Here you will find thousands of pink flamingos - gracefully stooping coloured specks starkly contrasted against the grey minerals of the lake shore with yellow-billed storks swooping and corkscrewing on the thermal winds that rise up from the escarpment, while herons frantically flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky.
Lake Manyara is equally famous for the tree-climbing lions that reside in the ancient mahogany and acacia trees during the rainy season and do their hunting on the grassy shores of the lake. In addition to the lions, Manyara is also home to a large concentration of baboons in addition to extensive elephant herds, hippo, giraffe and many smaller animals, while its lush green forests are one of the best places to see leopards.
Superb game viewing is offered throughout the year but is at its peak from December to February and August to September. Apart from its own inherent beauty, one of the attractions of Manyara is that within just a two hour round-trip foray into the park, it is possible to see all the main highlights, making it an absolute ’must’ for inclusion within any safari holiday toTanzania.
