Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara National Park is an incredibly diverse park for its size (only 325 square kilometers/125 square miles) with breathtaking panoramic views. Ernest Hemingway said Lake Manyara is the “loveliest lake in Africa.”

Situated on the floor of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara extends out in a shallow depression attracting vast wildlife, including a variety of birds. It is well known for its tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons and elephants. Large buffalo, wildebeest, hippoes, giraffes and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains. In just a two-hour round-trip around the lake, it is possible to see all the main highlights, offering the ideal quick safari for travelers who are short of time.

Lake Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks.

The superb game viewing is offered thoughout the year but if you like to experience the game viewing at its peak the best time to visit Lake Manayara  is from December to February and from May to July, tapering off in August and September.