Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is a popular destination because of its breathtaking scenery, the enormous soda lake full of flamingos and outstanding bird life. The gem is famous for tree-climbing lions, which is one of the main reasons for visitors to pay a visit to the park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world, a fact that accounts for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates. Other animals include; Buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, olive baboon, blue monkey, klipspringer, lions, elephant, hippos are also seen here. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara attracts an incredible array of birdlife that thrives on its brackish waters. More than 400 species have been recorded. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks. Its ground water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds.
Activities and attractions
Game drives
The Park has got both day and night game drives whereby you have a chance to spot both diurnal and nocturnal animals. park is famous for hosting tree climbing trees, huge population of elephants and a huge troop of baboons with over 100 individuals which is considered to be the largest in Africa. This park has also got mahogany trees making it a great place to spot giraffes, buffalos and monkeys. In the whole world, Lake Manyara is the second park from Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda where you are able to spot the tree climbing trees. While here, you will have a chance to spot thousands of animals as they drink water and bird, then drive through marshlands, woodlands and acacia dominated terrain spotting animals. Other animals to spot in Lake Manyara National Park include; lions, leopards, porcupines, elephants, jackals, buffalos, civet cats, giraffes, dik-dik, wildebeest, zebra, etc.
Walking safaris
Here you have a chance of getting closer to nature in guidance of an armed game ranger for safety. You also have a chance of walking along the treetop walkway which is an incredible way to discover the park’s beauty. This walk also provides great views of the park, bird species as well as primates like monkeys jumping and swinging on the trees.
Bird watching
The Park has got over 500 species and the most attractive are the pink flamingos that migrate from Lake Natron to Lake Manyara. Other bird species here include; pelicans, marabou storks, yellow billed storks, Egyptian goose, pelicans, crowned eagles, crested guinea fowl, slivery checked hornbills, egrets, stilts, herons, spoonbills, wanders, Narina trogon, pangani long claw, crowned hornbills, Schalow’s turaco, emerald cuckoo, crowned plover, etc. Birding sites in the park include; flood plains of Lake Manyara, acacia woodlands and groundwater forest, making it a bird destination for birders.
Lake Manyara
Generally, Lake Manyara is the 7th largest lake in Tanzania at the surface elevation of 1,045 meters above the sea level. The Lake is a shallow alkaline lake covering a reasonable area of Lake Manyara national park, and it is a major attraction in the park covering a surface area of 230 square kilometers and a depth of 3.7 meters. In addition, the lake is a great birding site hosting thousands of flamingoes which create a pink shade on the shores of the lake.
Canoeing
This is conducted on Lake Manyara as you enjoy the natural beautifulness of this alkaline soda lake that is found down the rift valley escarpment. You are also able to spot different birds that call this place a home especially the huge flocks of pink flamingos. You are also able to interact with the community that leave around the lake thereby getting to know their daily activities. In conclusion, the canoeing experience gets you close to the aquatic life of Lake Manyara with sights of thousands of flamingoes, pelicans and many animals which come to the lake to quench their thirst.
Maji Moto springs
Maji moto springs is a magnificent feature situated in the southern region of the park, these hot springs are named from a Swahili word meaning hot water. The springs are surrounded by palm and fig trees making it a small paradise amidst the park. Surprisingly, the springs heat to about 60 degrees Celsius and the water crates a pool where visitors of the park can take a swim.
