Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park, referred to as the “home of tree-climbing lions,” is renowned for the frequent sightings of lions perched on trees. The park is among the most renowned and frequented national parks in Tanzania. It is a component of the extensive Northern tourism circuit, which includes premier Tanzanian national parks such as Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Tarangire National Park. It is situated within a few hours’ drive from the renowned tourist area in the Arusha region. Lake Manyara National Park is located in the Great Rift Valley region at the base of volcanic formations. The park is centered around the lake named Manya. This park is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania, encompassing only 330 square kilometers, with a significant portion occupied by Lake Manyara.

Location of Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is situated 126 kilometers, or 78 miles, southwest of Arusha. It is accessible within a 1 to 2 hour drive from the core of Arusha city. The park is located near the Babati district, the capital of the Manyara region. Access is available via road or air travel. Domestic flights operate from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara Airport, the nearest airfield to the park. It is located adjacent to the Marang Forest Reserve on the south. To the east, it is surrounded by the Kwa Kuchinja Wildlife Migration Corridor, through which animals traverse during their migration to Tarangire National Park in the southeast. To the north, it is surrounded by the Engaruka Basin.

The Historical Background of Lake Manyara National Park

This park is one of the oldest national parks in Tanzania, second only to Serengeti National Park. Designated as a national park in 1960, it is located between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley region. It is administered by the Tanzania National Parks Authority, an agency of the government operating under the Ministry of Wildlife. Since the 1920s, Lake Manyara has served as a venue for sport hunting. In 1957, it was designated as a game reserve to safeguard the area’s unique environment. After three years as a game reserve, the government elevated its status to a national game park in 1960. In 1974, in response to the park’s growing popularity, an additional 550 hectares of land was incorporated into the southern section of the park. It is naturally delineated by the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara to the east. In 1981, UNESCO established the Manya Biosphere Reserve as a component of the Man and the Biosphere Programmer.

and Greater Flamingos. The park is home to approximately 400 bird species, predominantly permanent residents, with a subset being migratory. The abundance of bird species in a confined region is due to the many ecosystems present in the park. The avifauna observed in the park comprises the Fish Eagle, Secretary Bird, Martial Eagle, owls, vultures, ostriches, Kori bustards, francolins, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, swans, magpie geese, and screamers. Sand Martins and Barn Swallows European Bee-eater, Common Swift, White Stork, Common Cuckoo, Egyptian Vulture. Papyrus Gonolek, Acrocephalus griseldis, Somali Ostrich, Martial Eagle, Anhinga rufa, African Finfoot, Casmerodius albus, Lesser Kestrel, Red-Bellied Parrot, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis. Fischer’s starling, Golden Pitpit, Polemaetus bellicosus, Black-faced sangrouse, Rufous chatterer, Taita fiscal, Masai ostrich, Secretary bird, Vulturine guineafowl, Shelley’s starling, Slender-tailed nightjar, Golden-breasted starling, vultures, common bulbul, Hamerkop, Little egret, Mourning dove, lovebirds, Trigonoceps occipitalis, among others.

Animals/ Mammals

The park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, but it also has a variety of other creatures that visitors can observe during their game drives. It is home to four members of the African Big Five (lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants), with the exception of rhinos. Additional fauna present in the park including cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, jackals, topis, gazelles, giraffes, hippos, and numerous others. All these species are permanent inhabitants, facilitating year-round game viewing.

Hot Springs

The park is located in the Great Rift Valley, an area characterized by volcanic activity. As a result of this volcanic activity, hot springs and other features were discovered in the park. The park’s center features attractions such as bubbling water emerging from beneath during hot conditions, which is a unique sight. You can observe it by dropping an egg, which prepares in a matter of minutes.

Activities in Lake Manyara National Park.   

Some of the activities that are done in Lake Manyara National park include:

Game viewing

Upon approaching this park, you will be greeted by a procession of synchronized olive baboons engaging in play with their young. Game drives constitute an activity that guests partake in subsequent to the payment of park entry fees. The game drives occur at the park’s center, allowing proximity to environment and wildlife. You will spend time seeing the wildlife in their native habitats; game drives occur in the morning, evening, or as full-day excursions. Night game drives in Lake Manyara National Park are permitted but incur separate charges from the park entry costs. Delight in observing a diverse array of wildlife on your game drives. The observed creatures include lions, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, oribi, giraffes, topis, and numerous others.

Birding

Experience an extensive array of more than 400 avian species on your birdwatching safari at this park. The little avian sanctuary hosts a greater variety of Rift Valley species and other birds. Among the observed avian species are: Secretary bird, Martial eagle, owls, vultures, ostriches, Kori bustards, francolins, Guinea fowl, ducks, geese, swans, magpie geese, screamers. Sand Martins and Barn Swallows European Bee-eater, Common Swift, White Stork, Common Cuckoo, Egyptian Vulture, Papyrus Gonolek, Acrocephalus griseldis, Somali Ostrich, Martial Eagle, Anhinga rufa, African Finfoot, Casmerodius albus, Lesser Kestrel.Red-bellied parrot (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), Fischer’s starling, golden pitpit, polemaetus bellicosus, black-faced sangrouse, rufous chatterer, Taita fiscal, Masai ostrich, secretary bird, vulturine guineafowl, Shelley’s starling, slender-tailed nightjar, golden-breasted starling, among others.

Canopy or treetop walks

Experience the rainforests of Lake Manyara National Park with the Treetop Walk. Recline on the apex of the tree canopy while appreciating the superb aerial vistas of the magnificent park. It is the sole treetop walkway located in Tanzania. This activity is private and requires direct payment at the park headquarters upon interest.

Additional activities offered in Lake Manyara National Park include a boat ride on the lake. This activity is contingent upon the yearly water levels of the lake. Exploring the hot springs is an additional activity available at this park.