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Lake Manyara National Park
Best known for its tree climbing lions, the soda ash lake attracts thousands of pink flamingos, one of Tanzania’s biggest elephant population and breathtaking scenery!
Introducing Lake Manyara National Park
Described by Ernest Hemingway as the ‘loveliest I had seen in Africa’, Lake Manyara National Park is situated on the Western escarpment of the Rift Valley. Home to lesser flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and one of Africa’s highest concentrations of elephants, Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania's most popular safari destinations. Located in the Arusha Region of northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara is the centrepiece of the Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara is a soda lake and its 230km² surface covers two thirds of the park’s total area.
Experience the Lake Manyara National Park
Wildlife 
Birdlife
Wildlife at the Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is home to a diverse ecosystem which contains a range of habitats, including a soda lake, acacia woodland, equatorial forest, several types of savannah, and even mountain slopes. Lesser flamingos and pelicans thrive at Lake Manyara, but its alkaline waters are undrinkable for most other animals. However, many animals are forced to drink Lake Manyara’s alkaline waters to survive the dry season since most other water sources dry up completely. Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The park’s lions tend to climb trees far more often than lions in the Serengeti National Park or Tarangire National Park. This phenomenon has baffled scientists and seeing tree climbing lions on a game drive is an unforgettable experience. Lake Manyara National Park is home to 400 bird species, and it is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. The park also contains water buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, and the world’s largest concentration of baboons.
Birdlife at the Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park has over 300 bird species including Eurasian migrant birds, acacia associated birds, raptors, and 3 endangered Tanzanian species: Rufous-tailed weaver, Ashy starlings and Black-collared Lovebird. Lake Manyara National Park and Lake Natron also offer great opportunities of Flamingo watching as they gather on the lake shore in flocks of ten thousands or even several hundred thousands.
Lake Natron is the flamingoes breeding ground and Lake Manyara, Nakuru in Kenya their feeding ground. Some of the birds you can see in the floodplains of Lake Manyara are Crowned Plover, Grey Crowned Crane, Fischer's Sparrow Lark, Two-banded courser and the Black-faced Sandgrouse. The bush clups on the edge of the floodplain is occupied by groups of Long-tailed fiscal, the rare Pangani Longclaw. The birds in the Lake Manyara forest are: Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Schalow's Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle and ground dwelling Crested Guineafowl.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park
Most travellers visit Lake Manyara National Park from Tanzania’s safari capital, Arusha. By road, Lake Manyara is 126km from Arusha, and the drive to the northern gate takes 1.5-2 hours along a new tarmac road. You can also fly to Lake Manyara Airport (LKY) from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), and the journey takes around 40 minutes. Kilimanjaro International Airport is located around 46km from Arusha. Like all of Tanzania’s national parks, Lake Manyara’s peak season is during the dry monthsfrom July to September. The short dry season from mid-December to early March is also a good time to visit, but the temperatures can get very hot during this period.
Although you will see wildlife during the wet season, it will be more difficult to spot animals amongst the luscious vegetation. In the dry season, animals are drawn to the few remaining water sources and wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent. Bird enthusiasts may choose to visit during the short rainy season from the end of October to December. Migratory birds visit the park during these months, but muddy roads may be impassable, and some lodges close during the low season.
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