Lake Manyara National Park

Location: Simiyu Region, Northern Tanzania

Area: 325 km²

Overview

Lake Manyara National Park Used for sport hunting since the 1920s, a game reserve was established in 1960 and was given National Park status in 1974 about 550 ha (1,400 acres) were added to the southern end.  In a protected area in Tanzania’s Arusha and Manyara Regions, situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. In 1957, the majority of the park’s land area was a narrow strip.

The national park only includes the northwest quadrant of the lake, about 200 km² (77 sq. mi) covering an area of 325 km² (125 sq. mi) with more than 350 bird species observed on the lake. It is part of the larger Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve established in 1981 by UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake created by a depression within the Great Rift Valley with about 230 km² (89 sq. mi) lake surface, making it easy for wildlife to leverage across the entire thing. In the rainy season, the lake is at its fullest, the peak depth is only 12 feet (3.7m) and the lake extends 25miles (40km) in width by 9.3 miles (15km) long.

Marshlands, saline flats, and grasslands surround the lake with a small forest featuring fig and mahogany trees near the entrance to the park.  Baobab trees and Ferns are found within the park boundaries and over 670 flowering plant species.

The migration of wildebeests, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and Grant’s gazelle travels through the area, bushbuck, baboon, buffalo, badger, elephant, giraffe, warthog, and zebra in addition some of the predator species include African wild cat, African golden cat, bat-eared fox, Cheetah, civet, hyena, jackal, lion, and leopard.

The Uniqueness of this Park

• Tree-climbing lions.
• Breath-taking scenery.
• The soda-ash lake in the center.
• The buffalo are plentiful with herds reaching over 300 being recorded.
• Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its abundance of flamingos.

Accommodation Options

• Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge 67 Rondavel rooms (ten are interconnecting and two wheelchair-friendly rooms).
• Lake Manyara Tree Lodge (10 Suites Treehouses).
• Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge (50 Deluxe rooms, 2 bedroom luxury Villas).
• Escarpment Luxury Lodge (16 private guest chalets).
• Kirurumu Manyara Lodge (27 spacious luxurious cottages, 2 honeymoon suites, 2 family cottages).
• Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp (16 cottages and 10 permanent Canvas Tents).

Activities at the Destination

Day & Night Game drives, Bird watching, Boat rides/Canoeing, Lake Manyara tree walkway, Visit Masai boma.