Lake Manyara national park Tanzania is one of the great wildlife watching destinations in Tanzania situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley in the Manyara region, this beautiful park is well known for the tree- climbing lions, one of the Tanzania’s biggest elephant population and Lake Manyara a soda ash Lake that attracts thousands of pink flamingoes.
Lake Manyara national park covers an area of 330 square kilometers with 2 thirds of the park covered by the lake “Lake Manyara” creating a beautiful scenery.
Location of Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara national park is located in the northern part of Tanzania, approximately 126 kilometers west of Arusha Town, the park lies in the Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit and is it can conveniently be combined with other unmissable safari gems of Tanzania.
Lake Manyara national park is located on the road to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti national park, to the east of the park there is the Marang Forest Reserve, Kwa Cuchinja Wildlife migration Corridor to the East. This migration corridor allows wildlife to migrate between the Tarangire national park situated near-by to the southeast.
History of Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara national park is named from a plant called the Euphorbia Tirucali locally known as “Emanyara” in the Maasai language, these tree species were used by the Masai people to protect their livestock from thieves, poachers and predators.
Since the 1920s, there are was used as a ground for sport hunting and in 1957 it was restablished a game reserve, in 1960 it gain a status of a national park and was made to be part of the much larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve established in 1981 the UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere programme.
Wildlife in Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara national park is a home to a diversity of animal species making it an undeniably one of the greatest destinations for Tanzania wildlife safaris, the park is known for big number of elephants and tree climbing lions.
Animals found in Lake Manyara national park include lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, leopards, impalas, Bohor Reedbucks, hippos, genet species, several mongooses, cheetahs, African golden cats, spotted hyenas, warthogs, Thomson and grant’s gazelles, servals, honey badgers among others.
The Tree Climbing Lions of Lake Manyara National Park
Tree climbing lions are one of the wonders of Lake Manyara national park, in the park there is a thriving population of these unique lions with capability to climb tree. These lions are nocturnal animals spending most of their day resting up in the big fig trees and at the sunset, they descend to the ground when temperatures are cooler. Tree climbing lions in Africa are found in two locations that is in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Manyara national park..
Bird life in Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara national park is an ideal destination for Tanzania birding safaris, the park hosts a bird list of over 400 species including large flocks of thousands of flamingoes along the edge of Lake Manyara most especially in the wet season.
Birds in Lake Manyara national park include Eurasian migrant birds, acacia associated birds, raptors and 3 endangered Tanzanian species “The Rufous – tailed weaver, Ashy Starlings and Black – collared lovebird”. Other birds include Pied avocet, Pied kingfisher, Pink-backed pelican, Sacred ibis, Saddle-billed stork, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Southern ground hornbill, Spur-winged goose, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Yellow-billed stork, Abdim’s stork, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African hawk eagle, African jacana, African spoonbill, Baglafecht weaver, Comb duck, Crowned eagle, Great white pelican, Greater flamingo, Grey crowned crane, Hamerkop among others.
Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is a trademark feature in Lake Manyara national park and a great spot for birding most especially aquatic birds, the lake covers a surface area of 470 square kilometers making it the 7th largest lake in Tanzania. Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake lieing at the altitude of 960 meters above the sea level with a maximum depth of 10ft and covers two-thirds of the park, the lake was formed as a result of the Great Rift Valley over a million of years ago as the rift grew wilder.
Lake Manyara national park hosts large concentrations of flamingoes attracted to lake by the abundant algae, these birds congregate at the shores of the lake creating a pink plumage. Other birds found on the shores of Lake Manyara include Great – white pelicans, pink – backed pelicans, yellow-billed storks, pink – backed pelicans, yellow – billed stock and grey herons among others.
Tanzania safari activities to do in Lake Manyara national park
Game viewing
Game viewing is one of the unmissable Tanzania Tour in Lake Manyara national park, these game drives that are morning, afternoon game drive and Night game drive in the park are mostly done in the remote southern parts. This game drives are done with a guide and in a 4X4 safari vehicle enabling you to enjoy uninterrupted views of animals.
During the game drives, lookout for animals such as tree- climbing lions, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, large numbers of elephants , troops of Baboons, leopards and many bird species.
Bird watching
Lake Manyara national park is a great birding destination in Tanzania with approximately 400 bird species including large concentrations of pink flamingoes found on the shores of Lake Manyara.
The captivating bird species to lookout for during bird watching safari in Lake Manyara national park include Pink-backed pelican, Sacred ibis, Saddle-billed stork, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Southern ground hornbill, Spur-winged goose, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Yellow-billed stork, Abdim’s stork, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African hawk eagle and African jacana among others.
Hiking and nature walks
In Lake Manyara national park, there are three trails used for hiking and nature walks, these trails include The Msara Trail following the Msara River along the Rift Valley Escarpment best for bird watching, The Lake Shore Trail of 38 kilometers running through the park near Maji Moto hot springs, this trail crosses acacia woodland and savannah plains best for spotting large herds of mammals and flamingoes. Another trail is The Iyamba River Trail – a 50 kilometers trail from the gate, this trail is best for bird watching and a chance to spot various mammals.
Hiking and nature walks in Lake Manyara national park last for about 2 to 3 hours and are done with an armed ranger along these three trails.
Canoeing on Lake Manyara
Canoeing on Lake Manyara is an interesting experience on the salty waters of Lake Amboseli, this experience takes approximately 3 and half hours and set off in the morning at 07:00 am or 02:00 pm in the afternoon.
Canoes are 2 man- canoes with a guide, life jackets and waterbucks. As you paddle on the waters of the lake you get to watch many animals such as elephnats, giraffes, cape buffaloes as they graze and wallow in the shoreline muddy water. You will also enjoy watching several species of water birds at the shallow waters such as flamingoes, pelicans, cormorants, storks among others.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours in Lake Manyara national park are amazing Tanzania cultural Tour offering you a visit to the Karatu local villages and markets situated in a cool mountain valley between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Lake.
This experience offers visitors an insight into the African local setting and history of Lake Manyara national park around the Karatu village, this activity lasts for about 2-3 hours of interacting with the local people, visit traditional homes of the Maasai people known as the Bomas which are circular in shape and participate in making of traditional meals and purchase beautiful beaded jewellery among other handicrafts.
How to get to Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara national park can be accessed by road and Air means of transport, from Arusha City the park is accessed on a drive of approximately 1 to 2 hours by road to the entrance gates.
By air – domestic flights are offered from Arusha airport to Lake Manyara Airport.
Where to stay in Lake Manyara national park
There are many accommodation options to choose from in Lake Manyara national park, these accommodations range from luxury safari lodges and camps to midrange to Budget. These include
Luxury accommodations
- Lake Manyara Serena Safari lodge
- Escarpment Luxury Lodge
- Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
- AndBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Midrange accommodations
- Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
- Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
- Burudika Manyara Lodge
Budget accommodations
- Twiga Camps
