Lake Manyara National Park
A park on the floor of the Rift Valley, under the steep western escarpment, on the way from Arusha or Tarangire to Ngorongoro. Groundwater forest, acacia woodland, a shallow soda lake and hot springs lie close together, so one game drive crosses very different country.
- Best time
- All year. The most popular times are the two drier spells, June to October and January to February.
Springs at the foot of the escarpment feed a groundwater forest of tall trees such as mahogany and fig, where blue monkeys and baboons live. Beyond it are dry acacia woodland, baobabs and the alkaline lake, where pelicans and, at some times of year, large flocks of flamingos feed.
Iain Douglas-Hamilton carried out his early elephant research here, and elephants are still a big part of a visit. Lions are sometimes seen resting in trees in the midday heat, though lions do this in other parts of Africa too.
The main gate is about two hours by road from Arusha. Besides game drives there is a treetop canopy walkway, and night drives and guided walks can be arranged with the park.
Wildlife
- Elephant
- Lion
- Buffalo
- Hippo
- Giraffe
- Blue monkey
- Baboon
- Flamingo