Tourist attractions in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania offers a wilderness experience in diverse habitats, from its Rift Valley soda lake to dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Here, the Great Rift Valley is at its most impressive, with the escarpment dropping some 500 metres down to the lakeshore. Apart from a spectacular setting, the park is famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions and the vast elephant herds it was established to protect. The shores of the lake, encrusted with pink flamingo, attract more than 400 species of birds, many of them waterfowl or migrants. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, Masai giraffe and impala roam the lake shores and the forested valley slopes. Troops of several hundred olive baboon appear alongside Sykes monkey and short-eared galago. Cape clawless otter, Egyptian mongoose, hippo and klipspringer are other park residents.
Things to see in Lake Manyara National Park
Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is home to a wide variety of characteristic East African mammals, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous plains game. It is also reputed to host the largest baboon troops in Africa. Some lions choose to rest during the heat of midday in the trees, which has led to the misconception that Manyara lions are somehow different. However, in many parts of Africa, lions often rest on the lower broad branches of trees, likely as a way to escape flies. Other animals that can b spotted here includes as wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelle, Granit’s gazella, bushbuck, waterbuck, impala, cape buffalo, warthogs, predators such as African wild cat, shotted hyena, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, serval, honey badger, African civet, genet species and several mongoose species. Cheetah and African golden cat can be seen in a rare occasion.
Birds
Lake Manyara National Park is home to over 400 bird species. It is also known for flocks of thousands of flamingos and other water birds that are usually at the edge of Lake Manyara during the wet season. Other bird species you may spot here includes Crowned Plover, Grey Crowned Crane, Fischer’s Sparrow Lark, Two-banded Courser, Black-faced Sandgrouse can be spotted along the Lake Manyara’s floodplains. The Long-tailed Fiscal, Pangani Long claw are found in large groups in the shrub clumps on the edge of the floodplain. whereas Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Schalow’s Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle, and ground-dwelling Crested Guinea fowl can be observed along the Lake Manyara Forest. Other bird species you might spot here includes Abdim’s stork, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African hawk eagle, African jacana, African spoonbill, Baglafecht weaver, Comb duck, Pink-backed pelican, Sacred ibis, Saddle-billed stork, Southern ground hornbill, Spur-winged goose, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Yellow-billed stork, Pied avocet and Pied kingfisher among others
Tarangire Elephant Migration
Every year, Lake Manyara National Park plays a vital role in one of Tanzania’s most extraordinary natural events, the Tarangire Elephant Migration. This migration features one of the largest populations of African elephants in the world, with herds traveling from Tarangire National Park to Lake Manyara. The journey, which reaches its peak between June and October, provides a remarkable chance to observe these majestic animals in their natural environment.
During the migration, elephants follow ancient routes in search of food and water, showcasing complex social behaviors and structures. Visitors to Lake Manyara often see not only elephants but also a rich diversity of wildlife that thrives along their migratory path. As they forage, elephants inadvertently shape the environment by knocking down trees and creating gaps for other species to thrive. This unique interaction fosters a variety of wildlife including birds, giraffes and even predators like lion and leopards that are attracted to the herds. Evening game drives create a magical atmosphere, with the dust settling and elephants often visible in the warm glow of sunset.
The Tree-Climbing Lions
One of the most captivating attractions of Lake Manyara National Park is its renowned Tree-Climbing Lions. Unlike most; Lions stay on ground; these animals have developed a distinctive behavior of ascending trees to rest and escape from heat of the day. The acacia trees in the park provide the perfect vantage points for these majestic creatures to lounge and watch their surroundings, making for truly remarkable wildlife experience for visitors.
While the exact reason behind their Tree-Climbing habits are not fully understood, several theories suggest that climbing offers advantages in spotting prey and avoiding ground-level threats such as hyenas or other bigger predators. The park’s diverse landscape, composed of forests and grasslands, creates a perfect environment for these lions, making them a major highlight for visitors and a unique aspect of Lake Manyara’s rich biodiversity.
The Great Rift Valley Escarpment
The Great Rift Valley Escarpment is also another attraction boasting about of tourists in the park, the Escarpment provides a dramatic backdrop to Lake Manyara National Park, offering stunning astonishing views over the lake and surrounding landscape.
Fish species
Lake Manyara is home to the endangered fish Oreochromis amphimelas, a species within the cichlid family. This fish is endemic to Tanzania and can be found in Lake Manyara as well as other nearby basins within the National Park.
Butterflies
Lake Manyara is home to over 180 species of butterflies recorded. For film makers interested in filming butterflies this is a great place in Tanzania
Accommodation in Lake Manyara National Park
Lodge options to stay in during Safari in Lake Manyara range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Lodge options in Lake Manyara National Park include Africa Safari Lake Manyara, Mawemawe Manyara Lodge, Kirurumu Manyara Lodge, Chem Chem Lodge, Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp, Escarpment Luxury Lodge, Manyara Safari Lodge, Burunge Tented Lodge and Burudika Manyara Lodge among others.
Getting there
Air. There is a small airport on the edge of the Rift Valley above Manyara that has regular scheduled flights all year round.
Road. A well-maintained tarmac road runs nearby the main gate, connecting Manyara to Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, and therefore to other places further afield. The journey from Arusha takes about 2 hours. Additionally, access from the southern end along a gravel road originating from Babati.