Lake Manyara
Birders’ Paradise
Lake Manyara National Park is a birders’ paradise with more than 380 species of birds. The park is especially famous for waterfowl and migratory birds. Ornithologists will fall in love with Lake Manyara.
But it is also home to over 400 species in the lake area. Hippos, flamingos and the world-famous tree-climbing lions. Lake Manyara National Park is a small park but the backdrop is the Ngorongoro Crater, which makes for stunning views.
Most people visit Lake Manyara for one day in combination with a tour of the Ngorongoro Crater.
A Visceral Vista
While the Ngorongoro Crater is a mind-blowing site to be seen, Lake Manyara National Park has tree-climbing lions, elephants and a unique birdlife that is not prevalent in other parks. Therefore it is well worth considering an overnight stop in Lake Manyara National Park and a dawn and dusk game drive.
The National Park is only 684 square km. Of this, two-thirds is made up of water from the lake made famous by elephant researcher Dr Iain Douglas Hamilton in his book, ‘Among the Elephants’. Often underrated, Lake Manyara's landscape is breathtaking: it includes a combination of the Rift Valley Lake, dense woodlands and steep mountainsides.
Among the Elephants’
Lake Manyara was established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. The elephants come to this lake to eat salt – available around the lake and the surrounding soda-rich soil. Heavy poaching in the 1970s and 1980s negatively affected the herds. Happily now, the elephants are recovering and returning to their former strengths.
Besides these gentle giants, Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake, and are now famous for their habit of climbing trees – a unique habit to Manyara and Tarangire National Park and due to the frequent flooding of the lake.
Finally, the forests around Lake Manyara are one of the best places around to see leopards.
Our recommendations.
Our favourite places to stay are actually outside the park: in the small colourful village of Karatu or in the beautiful hillside lodge.
As birds are best seen in the early morning and evening, we suggest you take a full day in the park.
Airlines: no domestic airline flies to Lake Manyara. The only transport in and out is by vehicle. It takes approximately 3 hours from Arusha to the entry gates located between the villages of Karatu and Mto wa Mbu.
Lake Manyara National Park - Price Guide:
Price on application.
