As you approach Lake Manyara National Park your first view is spectacular, regardless of direction. When you approach it from the east, the Rift Valley Escarpment looms on the horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. Approaching from the west and viewing from the top of the escarpment, the park lies in a green strip below, the shallow alkaline lake reflecting the sunlight. Thousands of flamingoes and pelicans use this lake as one of the stopping off points on the Rift Valley’s aerial highway. The large variety of mammals, reptiles and birds in the park, all within a small area, make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly memorable place to visit en route to Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
Within the Greatest African Rift Valley, the Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 325 sq. kms and consists of five distinct vegetation zones with a wide range of flora. The park is famous for its tree climbing lions that often laze on the branches of acacia trees. Manyara Park is sanctuary to elusive buffalos and hippos, giraffes, impalas, zebras, troops of baboons, elephants, reedbuck, waterbuck, blue and vervet monkeys and many more. Lake Manyara itself is a magnet for large varieties of birdlife, other species can be found around its shores, including huge flocks of flamingos. The Hotels and Lodges are situated at the top of the rift walls offering comfortable accommodation and spectacular views of the Park and the Lake. The dry season is from June to September and January to February. Best time: Whole year
