Lake Manyara National Park is in Northern Tanzania underneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment and offers a varied ecosystem. As it is located along the way to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Established in 1960 to mainly to protect the elephant herds, Lake Manyara National Park is among the smallest parks in Tanzania and worth a visit.
In terms of diverse habitats, the park offers a great wilderness experience ranging from its dense woodlands, rift valley, soda lake to steep mountainsides. Lake Manyara National Park is known to have the largest concentration of baboons in Africa, huge elephant herds and the tree climbing lions.
Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park providing a reliable supply of water throughout the year to the animals and the over 300 species of birds including some migratory birds like the pink flamingos. You can also see termite mounds that are scattered across the terrain giving an impressive and eye-catching feature, bearing in mind that they are formed because of the tiny termite’s hard work. You will find the hot springs called Maji Moto on the Southern side of the park.

Species diversity:
The park boasts of several types of animals like the tree climbing lions, elephants, hippos, large buffalos, wildebeests, warthog, waterbuck, zebra herds and the largest concentration of baboons In Africa. There are over 400 species of birds like the migratory pink flamingos, pelicans, storks, and Cormorants.

Size and accessibility:
The park covers an area of 325 Square Kilometres and can be accessed by road and air

By car:
The drive from Arusha to the National park takes about 2 hours

By air:
One can fly from Arusha to the airstrip located outside the park and it takes half an hour.

Activities:
Game drives
Night Game drives
Birdwatching
Canoeing on lake Manyara
Cultural Tours
Nature walks