Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park, which encompasses an area of 330 sq.km, of which 200 sq km is lake, was proclaimed a game reserve in 1957 and registered three years later as a National Park. The park is situated between the 600 m high escarpment of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyaraand is 130 km from Arusha.

Thus, it can be visited on a day excursion. At the Southern end of the park are hot Sulphur Springs known as Majimoto. Further along the forest the area opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond, the soda lake itself.

Located inn northern Tanzania. The entrance gate lies 1.5 hours (126km/80 miles)  west of Arusha along a newly surfaced road, close to the ethnically diverse  market town of Mto wa Mbu.

Getting there is by road, charter or scheduled  flight from Arusha, en route to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty. Wildlife at Lake Manyara is not restricted to bird-life only. Many game animals such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals also inhabit the park.

Along with these amazing tree-climbing lions there are the usual browsers and grazers as well as the curios-looking banded mongoose. Two thirds of the park is dominated by the slightly alkaline lake which is home to ahuge variety of waterbirds.

The dry season of July to October is the best time to visit to spot large mammals, whilst the wet season of November to June is the best time for bird watching.

Dry season (July-October) for large mammals; Wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing.

Entrance is preceded by paid park fees during or before the visit.

One luxury treehouse-style camp, public bandas  and campsites inside the park. One luxury tented camp and three lodges perched on the Rift Wall outside the  park overlooking the lake. Several guesthouses and campsites in nearby Mto wa Mbu.