Lake Manyara National Park | Tanzania Wildlife Adventures

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s tourist gems, located at the bottom of the Great Rift Valley, in the Arusha and Manyara region, about 126 km southwest of Arusha, between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the easily accessible Tanzania safari destinations on the Northern Tanzania Safari Trail. The location of Lake Manyara National Park makes it easy to access and is included in your trip to Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Maranga Forest Reserve. and the Kwa Kuchinja Wildlife Migration Corridor.

The park covers an area of ​​330 square kilometers and 230 square kilometers of the park is covered by Lake Manyara, the seventh largest lake in Tanzania, a shallow alkaline lake formed by the Great Rift Valley (as the rift valley widens). Over millions of years, the stream widened and thus merged to form the lake. Lake Manyara is 10 feet deep. History of Lake Manyara National Park.

The park was once a residential area for the local Maasai and the name of the park comes from the local Maasai word “Emanyara” which is the name of the plant Euphorbia Tirucalli. The local Maasai use the Euphorbia Tirucalli tree to protect their livestock from thieves and poachers.

History of Lake Manyara National Park

In 1920, the territory was used as a hunting ground for sport hunting, in 1957, the territory was recognized and established as a game reserve, and in 1960, the reserve was modernized and given the status of a national park. In 1981, the park was part of the larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve and was established by UNESCO in 1981 as part of the Man and the Biosphere program.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, making it an ideal destination for a wildlife safari in Tanzania. The park is dominated by acacia forests and savannas and is home to many animals such as tree-climbing lions. Animals found in Lake Manyara National Park include Elephants, Giraffes, Meerkat, Kirk’s Rooster, Bohol Reeds, Impala, Leopards, Baboons, Vervetlopes, Buffaloes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Klipspringer, Grant’s Gazelle, Warthogs, African Jungle Antelope, cheetah, gazelle, etc.

The park is a great destination for bird watching in Tanzania, the park is home to over 400 species of documented bird species that inhabit various areas of the park such as the lowland forests, the shores of Lake Manyara, and the Venta floodplains. Birds found in the park are Abdim’s Stork, African Osprey, African Gray Hornbill, African Eagle Eagle, African Water Pheasant, African Spoonbill, Baglafechtweaver, Kamand, Crowned Eagle, Great White Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Gray Crowned Crane, Hamerot Tepal, Hot.

Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Stint, pied avocet, pied kingfisher, pink-backed pelican, sacred ibis, pink stork, silver-cheeked hornbill, southern hornbill, winged goose, von der Decken’s hornbill, yellow-billed stork. The most fascinating birds in the park are the pink flamingos that flock to the shores of Lake Manyara. These beautiful birds pose in abundance with their pink plumage reflected in the water of the lake.

Safari Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

game drive

Safari is an activity not to be missed on a park tour in Tanzania and is done by a 4×4 vehicle for morning safari, afternoon safari, and evening safari. Lake Manyara National Park is famous for various animals like tree climbing lions, large herds of elephants, and many more like Kirk Dick, Boho reeds, Impala, leopards, baboons, vervet monkeys, Kai common buffalo, zebras, and wildebeest, Klipspringer, Grant’s gazelle, warthog, jungle antelope, African golden cat, African civet, cheetah, Grant’s gazelle, etc.

Bird watching

Lake Manyara National Park is the best birding destination in Tanzania, the park is home to around 400 species of birds that will make your birding experience an amazing experience. Bird watching in Lake Manyara National Park is best done in the early morning or early evening, and beautiful birds can be seen in various parts of the park such as the shores of Lake Manyara, evergreen forests, and savannah plains.

Some of the birds to look out for in the park during the Tanzania Birding Experience are pink flamingos, cormorants, pelicans, African golden eagles, African water pheasants, African spoonbills, Baglafeht weavers, common ducks, crowned eagles, great white pelicans, great flamingos, Gray Crown Crane, Hamerkop, Hottentot Teal, Little Flamingo, Little Stint, Pied avocet, Pied Kingfisher, etc.

Canoeing on Lake Manyara

Canoeing in the park takes place on the beautiful Lake Manyara in a guided two-horse canoe early in the morning at 07.00 or 14.00. While paddling in the salt water of the lake, you can see elephants, giraffes, hippos, horn buffaloes, and many birds like flamingos, cormorants, storks, and pelicans grazing on the lake shore and in the muddy water roll.

mountain bike

Mountain biking in Lake Manyara National Park is an exciting Tanzanian safari activity where visitors can explore the park’s terrain by bike. This activity takes 3-4 hours, down a single track and through a rift valley, passing the local village of Mto Wa Mbu. At Mto Wa Mbu village, interact with friendly locals before heading to the pink flamingo-rich shores of Lake Manyara.

When mountain biking in Lake Manyara National Park, don’t forget to bring your cycling logistics, including a mountain bike, packed snacks, gloves, boots, and helmets, as well as bottled water.

cultural trip

During your Tanzanian safari in the park, you have the opportunity to experience a cultural excursion by visiting the local village and market center of Karatu. Karatu Village is located in the valley between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Lake, visiting this village will give you a deeper understanding of the African way of life and the different traditions and customs of the people. Visitors can visit local Bomas (circular traditional houses), participate in local cooking and tasting, and purchase exquisite souvenirs such as jewelry.

Overnight at Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park offers a wide range of accommodations ranging from safari lodges to tented camps and camps classified as luxury, mid-range, and budget. Accommodation in the park includes The Park, The Cliffs Luxury Lodge, Kilimamoja Lodge at Lake Manyara, Tree Lodge Beyond Lake Manyara, Manyara Safari Camp, Kiruruma Manyara Lodge, Burudika Manyara Lodge, Twiga Camp, and many places.

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