With 325 square kilometers nestling under the wall of the Great Rift Valley, this enchanting park consists of five distinct vegetation zones- a ground water forest with towering mahogany and fig trees; extensive marshland and reeds; plain of open grassland on the precipitous face of the Rift wall. The park is famous for its numerous buffalo, elephant and in particular the lions which have the unusual habit of lying upon the branches of some of the trees. Leopard and rhino are seen in most areas of the park. Manyara is noted for its wealth of birdlife which often include thousands of lesser flamingos.
Background Information
Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breath-taking views. Located on the way to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park is well worth a stop.
Known for its elephants and tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is also excellent for flamingos and other fascinating birds in and around the soda lake. A Lake Manyara safari is a unique and fascinating experience, as the park offers vast ecological variety in a small area; featuring a ground-water forest, acacia tortilis woodland and hot springs called Maji Moto. The dry winter season is the perfect time to visit if what you are after is big game viewing, while the wet summer season brings the variety of birds, as well as water-based activities, which add something special to the safari.
What to see and do
From soaring groundwater forests and a tranquil lake, to the mountain escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park boasts an incredible wealth of habitats and diverse African wildlife. Guests are offered an exciting, interpretive safari experience in game-rich surrounds which include large herds of elephant and buffalo. An incredible array of bird life thrives on the alkaline soda of Lake Manyara. Pink flamingo stoop and graze by the thousands, colourful specks against the grey minerals of the lake shore. Also seen here are Yellow-billed storks and herons, all merging together to provide a spectacular show to the onlooker. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park. Lake Manyara National Park is said to have the largest population of baboons in all of Africa. One of the real highlights is the flamboyance of flamingos that stain the soda lakes pink.
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