Self Drive Guide to Lake Manyara National Park,

Lake Manyara National Park, situated between the Great Rift Valley and an alkaline soda lake, is a conservation area in Tanzania’s Arusha and Manyara Regions, along the route from Arusha to the renowned northern circuit safari, encompassing Ngorongoro and Serengeti national parks. The Tanzania National Parks Authority oversees the park, which encompasses 330 km², including approximately 230 km² of lake surface. Lake Manyara National Park, home to around 400 avian species, serves as a significant waypoint for travelers en route to the renowned Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.

The park encompasses groundwater forests, bush plains, baobab-laden cliffs, and algae-infused hot springs, offering exceptional natural diversity within a confined space, along with an abundance of wildlife and avian species. The park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions and other huge fauna such as gazelles, zebras, buffaloes, and hippos, among others. In addition to animals, the park hosts a multitude of avian species, attributable to its varied habitats, encompassing both woodland and aquatic birds, with flamingos being the most renowned and conspicuous.

The Historical Account of the Park

Since the 1920s, the vicinity of Lake Manyara has been employed for sport hunting. A wildlife reserve was formed in 1957, and in 1960, the Tanzanian government recognized it as a national park. In 1974, approximately 550 hectares were incorporated into the southern extremity. A narrow expanse of land lies between the western wall of the Gregory Rift and the eastern alkaline Lake Manyara, comprising the majority of the park’s land area. The national park encompasses approximately 200 km² of the lake’s northwestern area. It is a component of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 1981 as part of the Man and the Biosphere program.

What is the optimal time to visit Lake Manyara National Park?

The dry season, spanning from June to October, is regarded as the optimal period for wildlife observation and is the most frequented time for tourists to experience safaris in Tanzania. Nonetheless, be aware that this period is the main tourist season, and the northern section of the park experiences significant congestion, particularly in the mornings, throughout much of the year, specifically from June to October. Indeed, the park is somewhat congested; yet, it encounters precipitation throughout March and April, leading to a diminished tourist season with minimal traffic congestion.

The park’s different habitats support a wide array of bird species, making the optimal periods for birdwatching the wet season, which occurs from November to December and March to May, when avian activity is heightened.

Climate  in Lake Manyara  National Park

Lake Manyara National Park experiences two primary weather seasons: the dry season and the wet season. Each season offers distinct advantages, making it a year-round destination in Tanzania. The dry season is optimal for wildlife observation, while the wet season is ideal for avian observation.

The arid season

From June to October, the park experiences its dry season, coinciding with the peak visitor season. The brief dry season transpires in January and February, attracting a substantial influx of tourists to the park, which leads to increased costs for Tanzania safari excursions due to heightened accommodation demand. The animals gather near the limited remaining water sources during that season, and due to the scant foliage, they are easily seen. The dry season is ill-advised for tourists, particularly for those with limited financial resources.

The rainy season

The rainy season at Lake Manyara National Park extends from November to May, during which the park exhibits its natural splendor as the rains invigorate the vegetation, enhancing its verdancy. Thus, a visit during this period allows for an appreciation of the park’s exquisite nature.

The onset of the rains rejuvenates the park’s landscape, restoring desiccated flora and unveiling a splendid verdant vista anew. The fees are typically reduced due to decreased congestion in the park during the off-peak season, namely in April and May. While optimal animal observation transpires during the dry season, Lake Manyara National Park provides exceptional wildlife viewing year-round. The rainy season is optimal for observing numerous migratory birds in the park, rendering it the prime time to view Lake Manyara’s avifauna.

Moreover, because to the reduced number of visitors to Tanzania safaris during this season, it is the optimal period for budget safaris in Tanzania. The majority of lodgings provide substantial savings during this timeframe.

Directions to Lake Manyara National Park

The park is reachable from all regions of Tanzania; however, the most convenient method of access is to fly to Arusha and subsequently embark on a road safari to the park’s entrance gate, which requires approximately 1 to 2 hours. The access route to the park is well-paved; however, the inside roads may necessitate a proficient four-wheel-drive vehicle.

International travelers should consider flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport, located just a few kilometers from Arusha town. You can either drive to Arusha city or have your business transport you to Lake Manyara National Park. Nonetheless, if you choose to fly, many flights are accessible from both Kilimanjaro and Arusha airports to an airfield within Lake Manyara National Park.

An alternative is to fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and subsequently take either a bus or a flight to Arusha. Alternatively, one may fly to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, and subsequently either take a flight to Arusha or drive to Arusha city, located within a few kilometers from Lake Manyara National Park.

Tourist attractions in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a compact reserve situated at the base of the River Valley Escarpment. In contrast to the predominantly savanna parks, its groundwater forests offer a more diverse topography. Lake Manyara National Park boasts an array of remarkable tourist attractions, encompassing diverse vegetation types, huge beasts, and numerous bird species, among others.

Lake Manyara

The lake is tiny and superficial. Manyara is an alkaline lake within this park that fluctuates in size with the seasons and is encircled by an extensive, silvery basin of salt deposits. It encompasses 220 square kilometers, constituting two-thirds of the park’s total surface area. The lake hosts several pink flamingos and other fauna, including hippos residing in the river’s shallows.

Flora

The groundwater forest serves as the primary ecosystem and imparts aesthetic value to the park, particularly in the rainy season. It is located beneath the dramatic western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Expansive grassy floodplains are located adjacent to the lake, while regions of mixed acacia trees are seen at a farther distance.

Fauna

Lake Manyara is home to several elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, and buffaloes. The park is renowned for its substantial population of zebras, impalas, warthogs, and waterbucks. The park hosts around 400 avian species, encompassing both woodland and aquatic birds, with flamingos being the most prominent in the park’s alkaline lake.

Lions that climb trees

The principal attraction in Lake Manyara National Park is its substantial population of rare tree-climbing lions, which are found exclusively in two locations globally, the other being the Ishasha Area of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Tree-climbing lions are infrequently sighted and are not consistently visible at Lake Manyara National Park. Timing is essential, and with some fortune, you may witness the renowned beauties of Lake Manyara National Park.

Thermal springs (maji moto)

A number of hot springs emanating from the adjacent rift valley wall traverse a vast marshy region along the western shores of Lake Manyara National Park. They reach temperatures sufficient to pass the “boil an egg” test, boiling at approximately 60°C and exhibiting the distinctive yellow hue of sulfur in certain areas.

Activities  and  attractions in Lake Manyara national Park

Day  and Nocturnal Safari Expedition

Experience the thrill of a nocturnal game drive beneath the stars. Night game drives provide the opportunity to observe nocturnal and predominantly night-active creatures, such as owls and leopards, which are not visible during daytime excursions. Additionally, the auditory experience of wildlife is enhanced at night, making sounds more discernible than during daylight hours. This exceptional opportunity should not be overlooked when visiting Lake Manyara National Park. A park ranger armed with a handgun will accompany you to ensure your protection from hazardous wildlife.

Canopy walkway

These bridges ascend to a height of 18 meters above the ground, enabling you to observe the forest’s fauna and flora. The Treetop Walkway near Lake Manyara offers an exhilarating aerial journey through the forest. This 370-meter elevated walkway enables exploration among the treetops, providing a panoramic view of the forest and distant wildlife. The treetop walkway commences with a brief boardwalk then progressively ascends, ultimately culminating in a sequence of suspension bridges flanked by secure netting on either side.

Canoeing

Lake Manyara National Park is distinctive in Tanzania as it is among the few national parks that permit canoeing. At Lake Manyara, you may observe numerous aquatic and avian species, including pink flamingos that congregate by the water to relax and hydrate. However, as you navigate beyond them into the serene waters of Lake Manyara, you will also observe several giraffes and elephants, all of which can be examined more closely.

Avian observation

This is an additional tourist attraction within Lake Manyara National Park. Visitors to Lake Manyara can engage in birdwatching throughout the park, which has over 400 bird species. You will have the opportunity to see forest birds from the ground water forest and discover water-loving species, including the renowned flamingos, at alkaline Lake Manyara.

Videography and photography

Visitors are urged to document and photograph their personal memories, with Lake Manyara National Park serving as an optimal venue. A photographer will be thrilled to take several photographs for lasting memories, given the plethora of attractions and breathtaking filming locations.

Accommodations

Besides its aesthetic appeal and natural splendor, Lake Manyara National Park emphasizes offering diverse accommodations to enhance visitor experiences when planning a trip to this groundwater forest and tree-climbing lions park in Tanzania, thereby making it more rewarding, delightful, and enjoyable for tourists. Manyara National Park has a diverse selection of accommodations, encompassing budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges, to cater to all travelers equally. The above options represent some of the finest lodgings and resorts in Lake Manyara.