Lake Manyara National Park
Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is a relatively small but immensely diverse and beautiful park. Spanning 325 square kilometers, the park’s diverse ecosystem is a microcosm of Tanzania’s natural beauty, offering a wealth of landscapes and wildlife experiences. It is part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, which includes famous parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. Despite being often overshadowed by its larger neighbors, Lake Manyara offers unique attractions and activities that make it a must-visit destination for travelers.
Attractions in Lake Manyara National Park
The Flamingo-Fringed Lake Manyara
The park’s centerpiece is the eponymous Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that covers two-thirds of the park’s area. The lake is part of the East African Rift system, which gives it its alkaline properties, attracting vast numbers of birds, especially flamingos. During the wet season, when water levels are high, the lake becomes a sanctuary for thousands of lesser and greater flamingos, painting the landscape with their distinctive pink hue. Apart from flamingos, more than 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Pelicans, cormorants, storks, and Egyptian geese are some of the other avian species frequently seen.
Tree-Climbing Lions
One of the park’s most famous and peculiar inhabitants is the tree-climbing lion. While lions are typically ground-dwellers, the lions in Lake Manyara National Park are known for their unusual habit of climbing trees, a behavior observed only in a few other locations in Africa. Seeing these powerful predators lounging on branches against the backdrop of the Rift Valley is a truly extraordinary sight. While the exact reason behind this behavior is still debated, some suggest that the lions climb trees to escape the heat or insects on the ground.
Diverse Wildlife
Lake Manyara may be small compared to other Tanzanian parks, but its wildlife diversity is impressive. Besides lions, the park is home to large elephant herds, offering a close-up view of these majestic creatures. These elephants, known for their relative calmness around vehicles, are part of a population that roams freely between Lake Manyara and the surrounding areas. Other mammals include buffalo, giraffe, hippos, zebras, and a variety of antelope species, such as impala and bushbuck. The park also harbors a healthy population of baboons, which are often seen in large troops near the entrance, offering visitors lively and often amusing displays of their social behavior.
The Rift Valley Escarpment
Lake Manyara National Park is set against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, a dramatic geological feature that rises sharply from the park’s western edge. This towering escarpment forms part of one of the world’s most significant geographical features, the East African Rift Valley. The contrast between the flat floodplains of the park and the steep, forested walls of the escarpment provides stunning panoramic views. For photographers and nature lovers, the sight of the lake, savannah, and Rift Valley together is awe-inspiring.
Activities to Do in Lake Manyara National Park
Game Drives
Game drives are the primary way to explore the park, allowing visitors to experience its diverse wildlife up close. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for game drives, as animals are most active during the cooler parts of the day. A typical drive will take visitors through various habitats, from the groundwater forest near the entrance to the open plains near the lake. Depending on the season, visitors can also drive along the lakeshore to witness the vast flocks of flamingos and other waterfowl.
Bird Watching
Bird enthusiasts will find Lake Manyara to be one of the best bird-watching destinations in East Africa. With over 400 recorded bird species, the park offers year-round birding opportunities. Flamingos are the park’s star attraction, but other species, such as pelicans, storks, kingfishers, and hornbills, can also be spotted. The wetlands, acacia woodlands, and lake shores are all prime birding areas.
Walking Safaris
For those looking for a more intimate experience with nature, walking safaris are available in certain parts of the park. Led by armed and knowledgeable guides, walking safaris offer a unique way to explore the park on foot, allowing visitors to see smaller creatures and learn about the ecology of the area. Walking through the groundwater forest, visitors can observe plant life, birds, and even come across elephants, all while learning about the park’s ecosystem from the guides.
Canoeing (Seasonal)
During the wet season, when the water levels in the lake are high, canoeing on Lake Manyara is an exhilarating way to experience the park. Gliding across the calm waters, visitors can enjoy a different perspective of the wildlife, especially the birds that flock to the lake’s shores. Hippos are often seen wallowing near the lake, providing a thrilling yet safe encounter from the vantage point of a canoe.
Cultural Tours
Just outside Lake Manyara National Park are several Maasai villages where visitors can learn about the local Maasai culture. These cultural tours offer a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Maasai people, famous for their vibrant dress and unique customs. Visitors can visit Maasai homes, learn about their pastoralist way of life, and even witness traditional dances and ceremonies.
Treetop Walkway
For a more adventurous activity, the Treetop Walkway in Lake Manyara National Park offers a bird’s-eye view of the forest and its inhabitants. This suspended walkway, which is one of the longest in East Africa, winds through the forest canopy, offering stunning views of the landscape and the opportunity to spot birds and primates in the treetops.
Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park can be visited year-round, but the experience varies depending on the season.
- Dry Season (June to October): This is the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around the park’s water sources. The dry season also offers better opportunities to see elephants and the famous tree-climbing lions, as vegetation is thinner, and animals are easier to spot. However, flamingo numbers may be lower during this period due to the reduced water levels in the lake.
- Wet Season (November to May): The wet season transforms Lake Manyara into a lush, green landscape, with abundant water in the lake attracting large flocks of flamingos and other waterbirds. This is also the best time for bird watching, as migratory birds from Europe and Asia join the resident species. The park is less crowded during this time, offering a more tranquil experience, though heavy rains from March to May can sometimes make some roads impassable.
Lake Manyara National Park may not be the largest or most famous of Tanzania’s national parks, but its compact size belies its incredible diversity. From the flamingo-covered shores of Lake Manyara to the dense groundwater forest and the unique tree-climbing lions, the park offers visitors a wide array of attractions and activities. Whether you’re on a classic game drive, taking a canoe ride on the lake, or enjoying a cultural tour with the Maasai, Lake Manyara is a hidden gem worth exploring. The park’s accessibility, located just a short drive from Arusha, makes it an ideal addition to any Tanzanian safari itinerary, offering both adventure and tranquility in equal measure.