Lake Manyara National Park is among Tanzania’s small but interesting national parks. It extends over an expanse of 320 square kilometers. This park is at the bottom of the western Great Rift Valley escarpment. ‘Manyara’ is a local Masai word for the ‘Euphorbia Tirucalli plant’ grown at the many Masai homesteads. About 231 sq kilometers of the park is occupied by Lake Manyara, whose waters are alkaline. The alkaline water attracts a variety of bird species and among the common ones are the numerous flamingoes which are famous on the lake and over 400 different other bird species.
Tree Climbing Lions in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park was mainly established to protect the large population of elephants found in the park. Other than elephants, other animals frequently seen include buffaloes, tree-climbing lions, hippos, cheetahs, blue monkeys, the Masai giraffes, and baboons. The special thing about this park is that it can be entirely explored in about two hours due to its small size, making it a perfect safari destination for tourists with limited time in the country. The park is also known for its variety of vegetation covers that include; the water forests, swamps, acacia trees, grasslands, and then the lake.
Lake Manyara offers spectacular scenery, allowing tourists to relax and enjoy game drives. Other tourist activities in the park include swimming, canoeing, horse riding, cycling, cultural activities, and photography. The park can be visited at any time throughout the year, providing opportunities to be visited at any time of the year.
Adjacent to the park is the village of Mto Wa Mbu, which translates to “mosquito creek.” Many visitors stop here to purchase carvings at the curio market. It’s a great place to practice bargaining skills and buy souvenirs at lower prices.
How to Get to Lake Manyara
The park is accessible by road year-round and is approximately a 3-hour drive from the town of Arusha. Alternatively, you can take a charter or scheduled flight from Arusha, en route to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
What to Do in Lake Manyara National Park
- Game drives.
- Go canoeing, especially when the water level is sufficient.
- Take cultural tours.
- Participate in mountain bike tours.
- Embark on forest walks.
- Try abseiling.
- Enjoy bush lunches or dinners.
- Experience night-time game drives.
When to Visit Lake Manyara National Park
- Dry Season (July to October): Best time for viewing larger mammals.
- Wet Season (November to June): Ideal for bird watching, canoeing, and viewing spectacular waterfalls.
