Lake Manyara National Park.

Wiki Article

Lake Manyara National Park is among the most diversified in game parks in Tanzania and it covers a small area of about 325 square kilometers comprised of an integration of steep mountainside, Rift Valley Lake plus dense woodlands. This national park was set up particularly to conserve elephants, an after the release of a book ‘among the elephants’ written by Douglas Hamilton a well known researcher, the park became internationally popular. The severe poaching during the 1970’s and 80’s greatly reduced the large herds, however they are currently increasing in numbers and going back to the huge numbers they used to be the past.

When we talk about Location Lake Manyara extends for over 50km along the bottom of the 600 meters high escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. It got its name from the Maasai word ‘Manyara’ that is a plant that we refer to as Euphorbia tiraculli. The plant is locally planted around cattle paddocks to serve as fencing for security of the locals’ animals. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and visiting it will be an unforgettable experience. It was described by American journalist and novelist Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”. While travelling from Arusha towards MtowaMbu village (pronounced mtowamboe), you will get a magnificent view of the rift wall, and as you ascend it you will get sight of Lake Manyara; It is an unbelievably stunning sight as you appreciate the vast lake with the green vegetation around it.

Wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara national park is a dream come true for any avid bird watcher having a record of about 380 species of birds particularly migrants and water birds. There are large herds of elephants; its forests are very popular internationally for being the absolute perfect place to view leopards on an African Wildlife Safari, while Lions stalk their next meal on the shores of Lake Manyara. In particular, the park is famous for these lions that have a unique trait of climbing trees, something that in previous years was not done by these lions. Other wildlife includes: buffaloes, different antelopes, giraffes, baboons, hippos and blue monkeys

When is the best time to go to Lake Manyara National Park

During the dry season, you are in a better position to view the wildlife however the wet season is better for birdwatchers and the waterfalls are brimful. The dry season takes place during the cooler winter months which run from July until October. The dry short rainy season takes place in the months of November and December. The long mild rainy season runs from March until June.

Combining Lake Manyara National Park with other Tanzania Destinations

Lake Manyara National Park stands out particularly during the day. The best time to view the park is during the months from December to February as well as from May to July dwindling from August to September. Majority of the people that tour Lake Manyara National Park, add it to their itinerary on the way to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti national park or Ngorongoro Crater.