With a surprisingly diverse number of habitats in a small area, from the forest and grassy floodplains to the lake itself and acacia woodland, the park provides a home to a wide range of animals and incredible birdlife. It's a birdwatcher's paradise, with a huge range of bird species, including pink-plumed flamingos and many raptors.
Lake Manyara National Park
Habitat
Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake at the base of the Western Rift Valley escarpment. The park has a remarkable variety of habitats in a small area. The park entrance leads to a beautiful groundwater forest. Other habitats include the grassy floodplain, rocky escarpment, and acacia woodland, all of which can be covered in a half-day visit. Deeper into the park a visit to the hot springs (Majo Moto) is recommended.
Wildlife
This park is known for its large elephant population. The big cats are present, but not seen that easily. The forest patch is home to habituated troops of olive baboons and blue monkeys. Buffalo, giraffe, and several antelope species are easily encountered on a drive.
Best time to visit
According to the regional migration pattern, Manyara’s official peak season is from July to October. However for such a small park, this should not be a deciding factor; if you are in the area and have time, Lake Manyara is consistently good as a soft game viewing park at any time of the year. Lake Manyara is a great way to start your Tanzania safari and we recommend visiting your Northern Tanzania circuit, Safari.
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