Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

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Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania; the Park is 126 kilometers west of Arusha the main tourist hub. The area coverage of the national park is 330 square kilometers of which 220 sq. kilometers is in form of a lake when the water levels become high in the rainy season.

Lake Manyara has a big number of elephants, so many giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, and warthog, small known shy Kik’s dik dik as well as Klipspringer along the ramps of the escarpment. Leopards are hosted within the broken forests and escarpment, healthy lions that are widely known for their tree climbing pranks. This used to be a special character of the park which is not the case today. Regarded as Africa’s largest, huge herds of baboons are expected by most travelers.

Out of the 330 square kilometers, definitely, two-thirds of it is underwater, Lake Manyara National Park is a small park. On the contrary, however, it is very dazzling and contains enormous wildlife more so birds.

A good habitat for lions among Manyara’s healthy lion family that are popular for their tree climbing character is made perfect by the broken forests and escarpment. Often widely regarded as Africa’s largest, huge troops of baboons which often number as hundreds are immediately definite to most of the guests.

The life of the birds here is exceptional differing as regards the habitants. Often; you will be able to see flocks of pelicans and pink shading of distant flamingos in the middle of the lake. Amongst the margins and floodplains, feeding so many egrets, stilts herons, spoonbills, stalks, and other waders. The woodlands equally yield with so much water around. But the more interesting species will be viewed in the evergreen forests; for example, crowned eagles, crested guinea fowl, and the silvery cheeked hornbills.

Set under the magnificent of the Great Rift Valley’s steep western escarpment is a long narrow park that keeps the area between the escarpment and Lake Manyara safe. The shallow lake Manyara is an alkaline lake that expands and contracts according to the seasons within a long silvery bowl of salt deposits. Within the vicinity of the lake are wide grassy flood plains and further, as you move away, are bands of mixed acacia woodlands. Leaving that aside, patches of captivating evergreen forests, that are kept going by perennial groundwater springs from the base of the escarpment are next to the escarpment.

The road circuit is limited and can be covered in about 3 to 4 hours where you can see the animals that are always on the move. It is, therefore, worth visiting. Most safari companies organize for afternoon visits but taking a morning one is far much better as there are fewer other vehicles yet with more wildlife activity.

The heart of Masaai Country houses Manyara National Park. Here is where you can visit the unforgettable appealing red-robbed pastoralists who are populous in a Boma. Outside the park, undertaken can be mountain bike tours, and escarpment forest walks. When water levels are suitable, canoe safaris are also offered.

See our popular Lake Manyara national park safaris

Size of Lake Manyara National Park

The park is sized 330 square kilometers which is 220 sq. kilometers from the lake when the water levels are high in the rainy season. Alternating to the nearest Park of Tarangire National Park through the Kwakuchinja corridor the parks share world animals. They can be seen easily nearby the roads towards Lake Manyara and Serengeti National parks.

Location of Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park has located 126 km (78 mi) southwest of Arusha and can be reached by car in an hour and a half. The park can also be reached from Babati the capital of the Manyara Region.

How to get to Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

Getting to Lake Manyara national park is quite easy from Arusha, the park is located 140 km from Arusha which is about 3-4 hour drive and it is centrally located in the center of routes from Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti national park and by air, clients can fly into Lake Manyara airstrip and get transferred to your respective lodges which can take 1-3 depending on where you are heading.

Things to do in Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania

Lake Manyara is an exceptional national park and offers quite a range of activities and some of the best ones include

Day game drives in Lake Manyara National Park

Morning game drives are exceptional for searching for big game such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and also there is a high chance of seeing lions on the tree later in the day and the evening are spectacular for sundowner game drives.

Night game drives in Lake Manyara National Park

Night game drives will give you chances of seeing nocturnal animals like white-tailed mongooses, hares and also spotting other wildlife in the dark is pretty special, and also sounds are pretty special as there are few safari cars in the park.

Boat cruise on Lake Manyara

The lake Manyara boat ride will enable you to view various games while riding the boat. View herds of elephants and giraffes as you swiftly sail across the massive lake.

We highly recommend tagging along with your cameras as this safari promises special moments.

Canoeing on Lake Manyara

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the beauty that surrounds you on this 2.5 hours canoe safari. Apart from the above price you need to pay the TANAPA canoeing fee of $23.60 per person (kids $11.80) and park fees of $53 per person at the gate of the park.

Bird watching

This is where Florists and Botanists as well as Birders meet their world. A variety of vegetation species occur, ranging from monotone forest vegetation to plain savannah grassland. Here the Natural world is for you; spot tree-climbing lions, zebras, Maasai giraffe, and the breathtaking view of the spectacular lake Manyara. Birdlife is prolific as you approach the lakeshore; a variety of Gulls may be spotted and maybe the Vulturine Guinea fowl, Blue napped mouse Bird.

Lake Manyara tree walkways

Manyara Treetop Walkway takes you on a sky-high adventure through the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. Walk among the treetops and experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective.

Treetop Walkway

This 370m air walk starts with a short board walk that gradually rises from ground level up through the canopy of the forest. You walk over a series of suspension bridges with thick netting on the sides and reach a height of 18m off the ground. Each of the bridges ends on a viewing deck situated around tree trunks. These treetop platforms are perfect places to stop and enjoy life in the canopy amongst butterflies, monkeys, and birds.

Visit the Masai

You can also the traditional Masai village near the park and get to learn how they live their life near the national park.

Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park

At the base of the River valley Escarpment is a small park, Lake Manyara National Park. Unlike the more Savannah-dominated parks, its groundwater forests give you a superior chance of the scenery.

It is good to watch wildlife all year long in Lake Manyara National Park but the best time is during the dry season which runs from late June to September.

Where to stay in Lake Manyara National park

Being a developed tourist hub Lake Manyara has several lodges that one can stay in during their safari and some of the lodges include 1. Nsya escarpment lodge, 2. Lake Manyara wildlife Lodge, 3. Lake Manyara Serena safari lodge, 4. Lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge, 5.Manyara wildlife safari camp,6.Kirurumu Manyara Lodge, 7. escarpment luxury lodge,8.Burudika Manyara lodge, 9.Mugunga tented lodge, 10.Twiga camp, 11.morona hill lodge 12.Hakuna Matata safari camp,13. Lake Manyara tree lodge.

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