Lake Manyara is one of the leading parks in the northern circuit of Tanzania, which has gained popularity among world travelers because of the different safari attractions that the park region does pose. Formed in 1960, It is 330 square kilometers in size and is located 126 kilometers west of Arusha. Lake Manyara National Park’s diverse habitats include Great Rift Valley lakes, mountain stair sides, and densely wooded areas, all of which provide visitors with exceptional safari experiences. In Tanzania, this is the only park where you can properly see the tree-climbing lions and observe herds of elephants. The algae-covered hot springs, the baobab trees, and other small destinations full of wildlife species. Going to Tanzania, you should not miss this great opportunity for this wonderful safari experience, which is brilliant. The Park; is a savior to most animals migrating for water due to its plenty of food and water.
Several activities can be done in Lake Manyara National Park. Experience wildlife like no other place. The park’s rich vegetation is claimed to support up to 11 different ecosystems at the same time, so it’s no surprise that a Lake Manyara safari draws enormous crowds year after year. However, despite its tiny size, navigating the national park can be difficult. So, think ahead! Find activities that pique your interest so that you may make the most of your time here. Here are some of the top Lake Manyara National Park activities.
The Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway is a thrilling high-altitude excursion through the forest. This 1,200-foot (370-meter) air walk lets you walk through the treetops and obtain a bird’s-eye view of the forest. The treetop walk begins just off the short boardwalk and gradually ascends in elevation, eventually leading to a series of suspension bridges with secure netting on either side. From above, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the globe. These bridges, which rise to a total height of 18m above the ground, allow you to appreciate the wildlife and flora of the forest, aided by guides who can point out each of the numerous species and provide interesting facts about each species.
Every park offers day game drives, but what about a nighttime adventure? A Lake Manyara safari reveals its different ecosystems at their best with nocturnal wildlife drives that transport you to another universe! Night game drives are available in one of the few national parks. Lake Manyara is also famed for its big cat population, with lions observed both during the day as they slumber and at night as they hunt. Manyara’s tiny wildlife viewing loop provides a virtual microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience. The road leads from the front gate through an expanse of lush, jungle-like aquiferous forest, where troops of baboons laze by the roadside, blue monkeys flit nimbly between the old mahogany trees, dainty bushbucks stride warily through the shadows, and oversized hornbills honk cacophonously in the high treetops. A short band of acacia forest inland from the river is a favorite hangout of Manyara’s famed tree-climbing lions and impressive-tusked elephants. Banded mongooses scamper through the acacia trees while small kirks dik-dik forage in their shade. Klipspringers have frequently observed silhouetted on the far in the extreme of the park, a good target for all photographers.
Lake Manyara National Park has attracted a large number of photographers since it rewards you with an amazing opportunity for those beautiful dream photos you desire to capture on safari. Photo vehicles are ready to support your wildlife film and photo event, together with excellent photo guides who can assist and lead you in locating and capturing spectacular shots. The guide understands all the nooks and corners of what you’re looking for, as well as the ideal weather and timing.
For outdoor activities such as camping, Lake Manyara National Park has the ideal campground for those who enjoy camping, with wonderful campfires as well as the option of setting up a tent near the lake’s shore and watching the beautiful sunset. In the evening, tell stories about the day’s activities around the crackling campfire before retiring for the night under a blanket of millions of stars. Enjoy the fantastic surround sound of the beautiful bush as you fall asleep; the calls, rustles, rumbles, crackles, and ripples of the wild. At night, you can hear a lot of noises and perhaps see something strolling about your tent. It was an amazing experience to be out there with the creatures. Make certain that all of the meat and other items are returned to their original containers. Camping is amazing because you get to view all the animals up close and get a little intense sleep with only a tiny tent to protect you from some of the predators who frequently come out at night.
Manyara provides an excellent introduction to Tanzania’s birds. Over 400 species have been identified, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might realistically expect to encounter 100 of them in a single day. Thousands of pink flamingos are constantly migrating, as are other large waterfowl such as pelicans, cormorants, and storks. Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s top places for bird watching, with around 400 kinds of birds, including migratory birds from Eurasian countries and three species that are unique and endangered to Tanzania. This is a location where even the most indifferent individuals become avid bird watchers. The majority of the birds seen frequently move from Lake Natron, where they breed, to Lake Manyara, where they feed. This implies that beautiful species like the Gray Crowned Crane, Fisherman’s Sparrow lark, Lesser Pink Flamingo, and Crowned Plover can be found on Lake Manyara’s flood plains. You will enjoy and see all these great scenes, which are extremely wonderful.
In addition to the usual ways of seeing animals in Lake Manyara National Park, the treetop walkway provides a unique opportunity to see different wildlife. A trek through the forest at treetop level will allow you to see primates and numerous birds. Manyara National Park is at the heart of Maasai Country Houses. Here you may see the unforgettable red-robed shepherds, who are gathered in a boma. Mountain bike trips and forest treks are available outside of the park. Canoe safaris are also available when the water levels are appropriate
Flying at Kilimanjaro International Airport is the best method to get to Lake Manyara National Park (KIA). This airport is approximately 46 kilometers from Arusha. A domestic flight can also be used to arrive at Arusha Airport (ARK). They depart from Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). Alternatively, you can fly internationally to Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport and then connect to a flight from JRO or Arusha Airport (ARK). Charter flights from the Serengeti or Arusha link to Lake Manyara Airport (LKY). From there, take the route to the park gate, which is about 16 kilometers away (about 30 minutes by car). Domestic flights can be booked through a domestic airline. Furthermore, charter flights between parks will almost always be booked as part of your safari package by your tour operator. The Lake Manyara Airport is close by. Manyara Airport serves the park in the Tanzanian region of Arusha. Those who do not want to drive can fly directly to the park from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airports.
Lake Manyara National Park is located 126 kilometers (78 miles) southwest of Arusha and is easily accessible by automobile. The voyage from Bahati, the Manyara region’s capital, is also adaptable. This is the most popular means of transportation for visitors to the park who are traveling along the northern safari route. One can alternatively drive (road safari) along the freshly paved connecting road from Arusha to the entrance gate, which takes only 1 to 2 hours. Manyara Park is on the way to the more famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, which are also on the northern circuit. If you lack private means, you can take public transportation to MtowaMbu village and then rent a car to drive to the park. Tarangire National Park is 37.4 kilometers away from Lake Manyara National Park. On a freshly paved road near the ethnically diverse market town of MtowaMbu, which may be reached in 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Arusha and in less than an hour from Ngorongoro Crater, the northern half of the park is fairly crowded in the afternoon. The park’s two main entrances are formed by two big gates positioned to the north and south. The park is also accessible from Babati, the regional capital. When traveling to the park, a 4×4 safari vehicle is highly advised.
This park has adequate road access all year, but the greatest time to see large mammals is during the dry season, which runs from July to October and January to February. The rainy season, which lasts from November to December and March to June, is marked by rain, which makes the inner roads extremely slick and difficult to drive on. Nonetheless, the rainy season is the best time to visit Lake Manyara for bird watching.
Ernest Hemingway regarded Lake Manyara as the most beautiful spot in the entire East African Rift; its stunning environment, which he once lauded with documentary filmmaker Collin Willock, on their way to the world-famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, safari travelers on a Tanzania safari stop at Lake Manyara to observe the great range of wildlife. It is easy to get there because it is the first stopover from the tourist town of Arusha. Please come and explore Lake Manyara National Park since it is very easy to explore.