Lake Manyara National Park

Discover Lake Manyara National Park

Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is a compact gem that punches well above its size. Covering just 330 square kilometers — two-thirds of which is the alkaline lake itself — the park packs an extraordinary variety of habitats into a small area: dense groundwater forest, acacia woodland, open grassland, hot springs, and the shallow soda lake. This habitat diversity supports an impressive range of wildlife. Lake Manyara is most famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior where lions lounge in the branches of acacia trees, possibly to escape the heat and avoid biting insects. The lake itself attracts vast flocks of flamingo, pelican, and stork, creating a pink-hued spectacle along the shoreline. The groundwater forest, fed by underground springs, is a lush, mystical environment where you can find blue monkeys, bushbuck, and elephant. Ernest Hemingway called Manyara "the loveliest lake in Africa," and the panoramic views from the rift valley escarpment above the park are breathtaking. While often visited as a brief stop on the northern circuit, Manyara rewards those who spend more time exploring its diverse ecosystems.