Did you know that Lake Manyara National Park is one of the parks that are endowed with big gem and one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania?
It is located in northern Tanzania just a few kilometres (120km) from Arusha and it covers an area of 330 square kilometres and most of the area is covered by the lake. The park got its name from the acacia trees called Emanyara in the Masai language. This tree is used as protection in form of a fence from thieves and predators of Masai cattle.
There is a lot to spot while on your visit to lake Manyara and these are animals like elephants, wildebeest, Zebras, rhinos, lions, spotted hyenas among others, over 400 birds species like yellow-billed stock, palm nut vultures, lesser and great flamingos among others, the park is also dominated by the short acacia trees, short savannahs and punches of grasses.
Activities in Lake Manyara National Park.
This park is one of the oldest national parks in Tanzania and it was established in 1960 and since then it has been managed by the Tanzania national parks authority. Therefore, visitors can get involved in different activities that can turn their experiential more memorable and these are;
Game drives.
While in Lake Manyara national park, visitors get to explore 2 shifts of game drives that is morning and evening game drives. While on these drives, you can encounter different wildlife such as animals like giraffes, rhinos, buffalos, leopards, civet cats, lions, zebras, warthogs, olive baboons, impalas among others, and bird species like Emerald cuckoo, lovebirds, crested guinea fowls, flamingos and much more.
Boat cruises/canoeing.
These normally take place on Lake Manyara and give the memorable experience where visitors can spot flamingos and the giraffes roaming at the lake banks. Canoeing is also offered in this park which is not elsewhere in other national parks.
Birding expeditions.
Since the park boasts verdant patches of forests, savannah plain lands and water birds of over 400 bird species, it is possible to take a bird-watching safari to Lake Manyara national park and while there you can spot birds like the yellow-billed stock, Emerald cuckoo, lovebirds, crested guinea fowls, flamingos among others. The birds can be found in the forest, around the lake and in the savannah vegetation.
Treetop walks.
Take a canopy walk in the rain forested area of the park where you will have an aerial view of the park. It is mostly referred to as the Manyara treetop walk and enjoy the primates like the olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys among others.
Hot spring visits.
Take a walk and visit hot springs which are one of the volcanic features in the region. Witness water boiling due to the forces from underground. Boil eggs and bananas as you explore nature.
Cultural experience.
Visit the Masai Bomas where you will encounter the vibrant Masai culture, through the traditional dances and music, cultural cooking classes and tasting, story tales by the elders. You should not that the Masai people are hospitable and friendly and this means that you will have a comfortable stay while on the visit.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara national park.
Visitors should note that Lake Manyara national park can be visited throughout the year but it is advisable that you to undertake a safari during the dry season, from June to October and December to February.
During this time, skies are blue and this means that there’s favourable weather for game viewing, roads are easily passable than in the wet season in times of November to May and March to April. During this time, the park is inaccessible.
