Lake Manyara National ParkFamous for its stunning landscapes, tree climbing lions, abundance of flamingos, baboons and elephants, Lake Manyara is certainly worthy of a visit. Located in the North of Tanzania, close to the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, we generally recommend guests add a day trip to Lake Manyara as part of a northern circuit safari. The highlight of this region is the shallow alkaline lake, located in the middle of the park, that expands and contracts depending on the season. The diversity of landscapes is spectacular with breathtaking views of the flood plains, dense evergreen forests and acacia woodlands with the backdrop of the Rift Valley Escarpment that borders the western edge of the park.
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Highlights
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Wildlife
Although Lake Manyara is famous for its flamingos, a sighting of them cannot be guaranteed, as they feed upon the algae on the surface of the lake, which can be affected by heavy rainfall and other factors. Therefore, flamingo sightings can range from a few to thousands, but this park has far more to offer than just the iconic flamingo. There are a wide variety of bird species inhabiting this park, many of which congregate in and around the lake. There is an impressive variety of game that can be see here including; elephants, waterbuck, baboons, zebras, hippos, dik-dik, and giraffes. Lucky guests might encounter the famous tree climbing lions which are a remarkable sight to behold!
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Activities
A driving safari through the park is the most common way of exploring Lake Manyara. However, for guests staying inside the park, a few properties offer short walking safaris and night drives. Just outside the borders there are other activities that can be arranged depending upon where guests choose to stay; such as mountain biking or hiking along the Rift Valley, and village trips.
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Seasons
Lake Manyara can be viewed year-round, although the peak season is considered to be between late June and early October, the dry season.
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Lodges & Camps
Although there are a few options for accommodation around Lake Manyara National Park, we generally suggest guests take part in a day trip here on the way to another location. Despite its scenic beauty, we feel a day is enough to cover this region, as there are so many wonderful areas to explore in this spectacular region of Tanzania! However, if guests decide they would like to stay over in this beautiful region, the Beyond property, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is wonderful!
For those seeking a more relaxed paced safari in a luxurious camp, Chem Chem Lodge and Little Chem Chem are a fantastic option, located in a private concession between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. |
