Lake Manyara National Park is located in a very dramatic setting up against the steep western wall of the Rift Valley. Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 325 sq km. Characterized by five different habitats existing side by side.
There are copious ground water springs at one end, spilling out from the base of the Rift Valley wall. These give rise to a truly jungle type of ground-water forest, which is in stark contrast to the dry bush acacia woodlands all around, and to the enormous shallow alkaline lake that lies on the valley floor. Then there is also the steep escarpment wall with its own boulder strewn habitat.
In the south of the Park are found extensive hot water springs as testament to the active tectonic nature of the Rift Valley, and there is a long walkway out across the steaming rivulets and reed beds of the lake edge giving a magnificent view up and down the full length of this part of the Rift Valley.
Here you can watch old bull buffaloes wallowing in the warm alkaline mud and on occasions vast flocks of flamingos. Enormous Baobabs are scattered throughout the drier parts. In fact one of these baobabs was visited by Disney Imagineers in 1994 and became the inspiration for the baobabs that feature in Disney Worlds famous Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida.
Lake Manyara can be visited all year, although the most popular times are during the two dry seasons June – October and January and February. Most of the characteristic East African mammals are found in Manyara including elephant, buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and lots of plains game, and reputedly the largest baboon troupes in Africa. Some lions have opted to rest up during the heat of midday in trees.
Lake Manyara is also a great destination for birds and in particular water birds, including rafts of pelicans and literally millions of flamingos at some times of the year.
Game driving is the main activity along a network of roads within the Park. Guided walking safaris are possible by prior arrangement, including a hike up to the Marangi forest via the Iyambi River in the south. Canopy tree walk and Night game drives are possible in the Park.
