How to get Lake Manyara National Park : Lake Manyara National Park, located at the base of the great rift valley escarpment in Tanzania, is an ecological wonder. It is often overshadowed by the more renowned parks in the northern circuit, yet it offers a vibrant, first-time safari experience. The park is approximately 130 km from Arusha, a major city and gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. This stunning park was established in 1960, was designated to protect the diverse ecosystems and the flamingo populations of the lake and covers an area of approximately 329 square kilometers.
Lake Manyara National Park is compact compared to its counterparts. Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its distinctive features that make it stand out from other safari destinations. The park’s fame is primarily attributed to its rare tree-climbing lions.
The park is home to a numerous wildlife include buffalos, hippos, baboons, waterbucks, impalas, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. There is a healthy population of leopards, but sightings are rare due to the thick vegetation. with over 350 bird species have been observed on the lake.
Getting to Lake Manyara National Park is easy, whether you prefer to drive or fly.
By Road:
The park is just a smooth 126 km (78 miles) drive southwest of Arusha, near the lively town of Mto wa Mbu. The trip from Arusha takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and it’s even quicker, less than an hour, if you’re coming from the Ngorongoro Crater. The northern part of the park can get crowded, especially in the afternoons. You can enter the park through two main gates, one in the north and one in the south. It’s also accessible from Babati, the Manyara Region’s capital. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a good idea if you’re driving yourself.
By Air:
For those who prefer to fly, Lake Manyara Airport is conveniently located near the park. You can easily catch a flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport directly to the park.
Things to see in Lake Manyara National Park
Animals
Lake Manyara National Park offers a vibrant ecosystem that supports many animals. During certain times of the year, the park welcomes migratory mammals, such as wildebeests and zebras, as well as gazelles like Thomson’s and Grant’s. The park is also a home to a variety of predators, including lions, leopards, and hyenas, along with many other intriguing species like jackals, foxes, and cats. You might even get lucky and see a cheetah or a golden cat, though they are rare sightings.
Beyond that, you can observe other famous mammals like elephants, baboons, and hippos. The park is a haven for many birds like flamingos, storks, and eagles. The park is also home to reptiles such as the Nile monitor and cobra
Birdlife
Lake Manyara National Park is home to over 400 bird species. It is also known for flocks of thousands of flamingos. other bird species that you may sight here includes African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Malachite Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Heron, Speckled Mousebird, White-headed Mousebird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Narina’s Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Black Coucal, Jacobin Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederick Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, African Rail, African Crake, Black Crake, Purple Swamphen, Allen’s Gallinule, Common Moorhen, African Pygmy Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, White-browed Coucal, Common Ostrich, Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, White-backed Night Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Striated Heron, Squacco Heron, Madagascar Pond Heron, Lesser Moorhen, Red-knobbed Coot, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Kittlitz’s Plover among others. Other water birds that are usually at the edge of Lake Manyara during the wet season.
The Tarangire Elephant Migration
The Tarangire Elephant Migration is a spectacular annual event, with Lake Manyara National Park playing a key role in this natural wonder. Herds of African elephants, some of the largest elephant populations globally, journey from Tarangire National Park to Lake Manyara, usually between June and October, providing an amazing sight. This journey follows old pathways as the elephants look for food and water, showing off their complex social lives and habits.
Tourists along the way often see not just the elephants, but also a variety of other animals and plants that benefit from the elephants’ movements. Elephants, while eating, change the environment by knocking down trees and creating spaces for other creatures to grow. This interaction brings a variety of wildlife, including birds, giraffes, and even predators like lions and leopards that are drawn to the herds. Evening game drives create a special atmosphere where the day’s dust settles and the elephants can often be seen in the warm light of the evening.
Butterflies
Lake Manyara is home to over 180 species of butterflies recorded. For film makers interested in filming butterflies this is a great place in Tanzania.
Fish species
Lake Manyara provides a home for a special kind of fish called Oreochromis amphimelas, which belongs to the cichlid family and is in danger of disappearing. This fish is only found in Tanzania, specifically in Lake Manyara and nearby areas inside the National Park.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park
To experience the best wildlife viewing in Lake Manyara National Park, plan your visit during the drier months. The ideal times are from December to February and again from June to October. You might want to avoid the wetter periods of March to May and November.
Accommodation in Lake Manyara National Park
There are a number of accommodation facilities and where to stay in Lake Manyara National Park, ranging from camping to budget lodges, hostels, to top market lodge facilities. Some of the accommodations here includes Twiga Camp, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Manyara Ranch Tented Camp, Escarpment Luxury Lodge, Escarpment Luxury Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge and Lake Manyara Tortillis Camp among others.
