Lake Manyara National Park – Explore the Beauty of Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park is located in Tanzania near the Arusha and Manyara region lying at the base of the Great Rift Valley. The lake is a soda lake and it covers three-quarters of the park. In 1981 it was considered a UNESCO site as a biosphere. The park was initially a sport hunting ground in the 1920s and in 1957 it was gazette as a national reserve. later on in the 1960s, it was gazette as a national park and extended to about 550 ha in the 1970s towards the south. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions which are similar to those of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
What to see in Lake Manyara National Park
While on your Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara National Park, a tourist has a variety of attractions. Below are some of the tourist attractions that you should expect on a safari to Lake Manyara National Park.
Wildlife
On a Tanzania safari to the Lake Manyara National Park, travelers have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Tanzania’s wildlife. These include; tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many others. During a safari to Lake Manyara, a traveler will have the opportunity to see some of the big five animals. A game drive in Lake Manyara gives you a chance to discover the hidden treasures of Tanzania.
Karatu village
This village is located in a valley between the Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. During a Tanzania safari, travelers will immerse themselves in the real African lifestyle to know and understand the way of life of these people. During the visit to this village, you will participate in the local market for the purchase of locally made crafts.
Bird species
The park is also a birding paradise for birders on a Tanzania safari since the park is home to over 400 bird species like pink flamingos, Cormorants, pelicans, African hawk eagles, and many other bird species. All these bird species offer an opportunity to a traveler who is on a Tanzania safari to enjoy his birding tours.
Hot springs
Since the park is located in the volcanic areas of the Great Rift Valley, the park has hot springs with a 60-degree boiling point. The water can be used for boiling eggs by travelers on their Tanzania safari. This boiling water is a result of the geothermal energy that makes it boil up.
Rift valley escarpment
The park is gifted with the great escarpment of the Rift Valley which is 1600 meters above sea level and this escarpment offers the best views of the park during the Tanzania safari. Also, this volcanic future offers the best views of the Ngorongoro crater while at the Lake Manyara National Park.
What to do in the Lake Manyara National Park
While on your safari to Lake Manyara National Park, there are a variety of activities that a traveler can choose from ranging from the most exciting to the least exciting.
Boat Cruise safaris
While on your Tanzania safari, a boat ride on Lake Manyara is one of the bucket list activities. This activity is usually done in the rainy season since the volumes of water are high for one to cruise on the lake. In the dry season, it is not highly recommended for one to do this activity since the volumes of water are too low. It is highly recommended for one to book the activity in advance to ensure availability.
Safari game drives
Game driving in the Lake Manyara National Park is one of the most essential activities that one needs to do. It is done in three shifts. That is to say morning, afternoon, and evening game drive. A game drive is done in a 4×4 safari van that allows you to keep close to the wild. During this game drive, you will have the opportunity to see some of the big five animals. They include; lions, elephants, buffaloes, and many others on your safari to Tanzania.
Birding tours
Lake Manyara is one of the birding paradises since it is home to over 400 bird species. Here, the traveler on a Tanzania safari will enjoy the opportunity to search for the birds in their natural habitat. This activity is done throughout the year. It is mostly enjoyed in the wet season since migratory birds are nesting within the park‘s forests.
What is the best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park?
Like any other safari destination in Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is open for travelers any time of the year. The park is open on weekends and public holidays. Book your Tanzania Safari Now and embark on the journey of endless memories.
Where to stay?
While on a Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara National Park, the travelers have a lot of accommodation facilities to choose from. They include high-end facilities, midrange, and budget facilities. These facilities offer a great confect while on your Tanzania safari.
Luxury facilities in the park include; Lake Manyara Sopa Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, and many others.
The Midrange accommodation facilities in the park include; Twigs Camp, Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Escarpment Lodge, Migunga Tented Camp, Lake Manyara Wildlife Tented Camp, and many others.
The budget facilities in Lake Manyara National Park include; Nsya Lodge, Jambo Lodge, Echo Bama rooms, and many others. During the Tanzania safari, travelers will have a variety of activities, attractions, routes, and facilities that will offer them comfort while on a safari to Tanzania in Lake Manyara National Park
How to get to Lake Manyara National Park?
The park can be accessed by either air or road during a Tanzania safari. By road, you can access the park through the northern circuit where through Bahati town in the Manyara region. The park is a two-hour drive from Arusha. By air, you can arrange a domestic flight from either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport to the Park. The park has two gates and these gates include the northern gate and the southern gate.
Northern gate: This gate is found in the northern part of the park and is the main gate of the park which is quite developed it is usually used by most travelers who usually want to enjoy the activities within the park.
Southern gate: The gate is found in the southern sector of the park and it is so remote. It is rarely used by tourists because of its remoteness and poor roads.
