Lake Manyara National Park
Overview
Lake Manyara National Park, located in northern Tanzania along the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, is a compact but ecologically diverse park covering approximately 330 square kilometers. It is renowned for its dramatic scenery, rich biodiversity, and unique ecosystems, ranging from groundwater forests and open savannah to swamps and the alkaline Lake Manyara itself.
The Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior not commonly seen elsewhere, as well as large herds of elephants, which thrive in the forested areas. The lake attracts thousands of flamingos and over 400 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species also inhabit the area, offering rewarding game-viewing opportunities.
Activities
Game drives
Lake Manyara is known for its rich biodiversity, and game drives are one of the best ways to explore the park. The drives take visitors through varied habitats, from the lush groundwater forests to the open savannah and the shores of the alkaline lake.
Highlights include encounters with tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes, as well as the park’s famous birdlife, including thousands of flamingos and over 400 other bird species.
Canoeing
Canoeing on Lake Manyara (available during the dry season) provides an entirely different experience, offering serene views of the lake and its surrounding landscape.
Guided tours give guests the chance to paddle along the shoreline, where they may encounter hippos, flamingos, and water birds. The canoe safari offers a peaceful and intimate way to explore the park’s aquatic ecosystem.
Walking Safaris
Walking safaris in Lake Manyara allow visitors to venture deeper into the park’s ecosystems on foot. Accompanied by a professional guide, these safaris focus on the smaller aspects of the environment—animal tracks, plant life, birdwatching, and local fauna.
Walking safaris can take place in areas around the park, such as the groundwater forests, giving a more intimate and sensory-rich experience of the landscape
Night Game Drive
This is one of the few parks in Tanzania where night game drives are allowed. Led by professional guides in specially equipped vehicles, these safaris begin after sunset and offer a rare opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife.
Guests may spot porcupines, civets, genets, bush babies, hyenas, and even leopards on the hunt. The drive provides a completely different perspective of the park, with the sights and sounds of the bush coming alive under the stars.
Canopy Tree Top Walkway
Located near the park’s entrance, this 370-meter suspended walkway winds through the groundwater forest, offering a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy. Elevated bridges lead to viewing platforms set high in the trees, ideal for spotting monkeys, birds, and butterflies.
It’s the first and longest treetop walkway in Tanzania and provides a peaceful, educational, and family-friendly experience that complements traditional game viewing.
