Lake Manyara National Park

About Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is small, but it packs a lot in. Within a few kilometres you pass from a lush groundwater forest of fig and mahogany into acacia woodland, open grassland, swamp, and finally the alkaline lake itself, all beneath the sheer wall of the Great Rift Valley.

The park is famous for lions that rest along the branches of acacia trees. It is also home to elephants, buffalo, giraffes, baboons and blue monkeys, and to pink clouds of flamingos when the water is right.

A paradise for birdwatchers

Over 400 species have been recorded here, including flamingos, pelicans, storks and crowned cranes. At the Hippo Pool you can watch dozens of hippos wallowing at close range, with the escarpment as a backdrop.