Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a compact, highly scenic sanctuary tucked directly beneath the sheer 600-meter cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park's eco-landscape is incredibly diverse for its size, transitioning rapidly from a lush, groundwater forest fed by underground springs into open acacia woodlands and marshy lake flats. The park is dominated by its expansive alkaline lake, which expands and contracts seasonally, covering up to two-thirds of the total park area during high water levels.

The park is legendary for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, which spend the heat of the afternoon resting high up in the branches of ancient mahogany and acacia trees. The groundwater forest is home to massive troops of olive baboons and elephants, while the open lake shores support thousands of seasonal pink flamingos and storks. Travelers can also expect reliable sightings of hippos at the northern pool, giraffes, zebras, and various plains game grazing along the grassy lake edges.

Activities inside Lake Manyara include day and night game drives, canoe safaris when water levels permit, and walking tours along an elevated forest canopy treetop walkway. Logistics are exceptionally convenient, as the park gate sits right off the main paved highway leading from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater, making it a perfect first-day safari stop. Lodging options are well-developed, featuring luxury clifftop lodges on the escarpment and intimate tented camps tucked into the surrounding acacia scrub.

Highlights

• Tree-climbing lions Manyara's lions are known for lounging in acacia trees.
• Flamingo flocks Thousands of flamingos gather on the alkaline lake.
• Rift Valley views Dramatic escarpment scenery frames the park.