Lake Manyara National Park
About Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is in the northern region of Tanzania, close to Mto Wa Mbu. The park is named after the Maasai word “Emanyara,” which means a type of plant called Euphorbia tirucalli that the Maasai tribe uses for fencing their boma. The park is famous for its large flock of flamingos and tree-climbing lions. It covers an area of approximately 330 km2, with most of it being water. Many tourists come to this park to experience the complete Tanzania safari tour.
Lake Manyara National Park is a fantastic destination for wildlife viewing and birding. It is situated below the Manyara Escarpment cliffs at the Rift Valley’s edge. Over 400 different species of birds have been recorded in Lake Manyara National Park. Some animals found in Lake Manyara include lions, hippos, common zebras, elephants, buffaloes, olive baboons, giraffes, impalas, and klipspringers. Some bird species include Ground Hornbills, Flamingos, Hadada Ibis, Silvery-Cheeked Hornbills, Grey Crowned Crane, Grey-headed kingfisher, and Yellow billed Stork. Contact Precious Safaris today to book your trip to Lake Manyara National Park, one of the best Tanzania safari destinations.
Which attractions are found in Lake Manyara?
Wild Animals
Some of the wild animals found in Lake Manyara include:
- Elephants: Lake Manyara is known for its large population of elephants, which can often be seen roaming around the park.
- Lions: The park is home to various lions, including tree-climbing lions, a unique feature of Lake Manyara.
- Zebras: These striped animals are commonly found grazing on the open plains of Lake Manyara.
- Giraffes: With their long necks, giraffes can often be seen walking gracefully around the park, feeding on leaves from the treetops.
- Hippos: These semi-aquatic animals can be found lounging in the water or grazing on land near the lake.
- Buffaloes: Lake Manyara is home to large herds of buffaloes, often grazing in the grasslands.
- Baboons: These intelligent and social primates can be found throughout the park, often seen grooming each other or foraging for food.
- Warthogs: These wild pigs can be spotted running around the park, often holding their tails straight up.
- Leopards : Although elusive, leopards can be found in the trees and bushes of Lake Manyara, making it an excellent spot for wildlife enthusiasts to try and spot them.
Birds
Some of the birds found in Lake Manyara include flamingos, pelicans, storks, herons, egrets, cormorants, ducks, geese, ibises, spoonbills, cranes, and various species of birds of prey such as eagles, kites, and vultures. Other common birds include hornbills, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and weavers.
Tree-climbing lions
Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions. It is one of the best attractions you can explore, where lions in the LakLake Manyara are well-known for their unique feature of tree-climbing lions. This beautiful destination is one of the best places to explore the lions, which have developed the ability to climb trees.
This behaviour is not commonly observed in other lion populations and is believed to result from the park’s dense vegetation and lack of large prey animals. Though the lions in Lake Manyara are not actual tree-dwelling animals, they often climb trees to avoid the water, heat and insects and to get a better view of their surroundings. This has become a popular attraction for tourists visiting the park.
Hot spring
Lake Manyara National Park is home to a beautiful and unique hot spring. The hot spring is located in the southern part of the park and is easily accessible to visitors. The water in the hot spring is heated by volcanic activity to a temperature of 60 0C, making it a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. One of the most exciting things about the hot spring is that it is an essential food source for lesser flamingos.
These birds flock to the hot spring to feed on the algae and small crustaceans that thrive in the warm water. Visitors can observe these beautiful birds up close and learn more about their unique feeding habits. The mineral content of the water in the hot spring is also associated with curative values. Many locals believe that the water has healing properties and use it to treat various ailments. Some even claim that soaking in the hot spring can help relieve stress and improve overall health.
What to do in Lake Manyara?
Game Drive
One of the most exciting activities in Lake Manyara is the game drive. Visitors explore the park and different types of animals in their natural habitat using safari vehicles with pop-up roofs.
Lake Manyara is famous for tree-climbing Lions, a flamboyance of flamingos and hundreds of bird species. It is also home to many wildlife, such as elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelopes.
The best time to go on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park is either early morning or late afternoon when the animals are most active.
Bird Watching
Lake Manyara National Park is a great place for birdwatchers, as it is home to over 400 species of birds. Among the birds you can spot are flamingos, pelicans, and storks. It’s essential to be careful not to disturb the birds or their nests and to ensure you don’t leave any litter behind. Doing so can help preserve the park’s natural beauty and provide for the birds’ well-being.
Plan your trip before setting out to Lake Manyara National Park for bird watching. This includes deciding on the best time of the year to visit, as migratory birds can be seen during different seasons. Determining the duration of your trip and the specific areas of the park you want to visit is also essential.
Canoeing
Canoeing is a popular water-based activity in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. Visitors can navigate a canoe or kayak on the calm and scenic waters of the lake. The park is famous for its wildlife and outdoor activities, and canoeing is one of the best ways to explore the diverse ecosystem and spot animals such as hippos and birds. Trained professionals usually guide the activity, and people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it. Canoeing is an exciting and unique way to experience the natural beauty of Lake Manyara National Park.
Walking Safari
A walking safari in Lake Manyara National Park is a thrilling and unique way to explore the park’s diverse wildlife and stunning natural landscape. It involves walking with a trained guide to explore the park’s many trails and paths. During a walking safari, visitors can experience a closer and more personal encounter with the park’s wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various bird species. The slower pace of a walking safari allows for a more intimate and immersive experience, as visitors can observe the animals in their natural habitat without the noise and disruption of a vehicle.
Night Game Drive
A night game drive in Lake Manyara National Park is an organized safari experience after sunset. During this excursion, a guide leads visitors through the park to observe nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat. This includes animals that are more active at night, such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and various types of antelope. The safari vehicle used for the night game drive has spotlights and special lighting to enhance visibility and allow for better viewing of the animals. It is an exciting and unique way to explore the park and its inhabitants.
Best Time to Visit Lake Manyara National Park
The best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. During this time, the weather is pleasant, making it easier to spot wildlife. The wet season, from November to May, can be unpredictable with heavy rains, and the park can become muddy and difficult to drive. However, the wet season brings lush vegetation and migratory birds to the park. It is better to avoid visiting during the rainy season, particularly in April and May.
How to Get to Lake Manyara National Park
There are two options for getting to Lake Manyara National Park: by road or by air, and both are convenient.
By Road: The first option is to drive to Lake Manyara National Park. It takes just over an hour from Arusha to drive to Lake Manyara, depending on the traffic and weather conditions. The distance from Arusha City to the main gate of Lake Manyara National Park via the Makuyuni-Ngorongoro road is approximately 115 kilometres.
By Airway: The second option is to fly to Lake Manyara National Park.You can take a flight from Arusha Airport (ARK) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), both of which are located near Arusha. The flight time from Arusha to Lake Manyara is approximately 25 to 40 minutes. Flights to Lake Manyara are available from major cities in Tanzania, such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar.
