LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Manyara National Park is comprised of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Size: 330 sq km , of which up to 200 sq km is lake when water levels are high. Located in Northen Tanzania west of Arusha along a newly surfaced road, close to the ethnically diverse market town of Mto wa Mbu.

The name Manyara comes from the Maasai word emanyara, which is a species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead .The name “is a Masai description not for the lake, but in general for a lake shore region”.

The highlight of Lake Manyara Park is the large population of elephants, tree-climbing lions and hippos that can be observed at a much closer range than in other parks. Different activities in lake manyara are Wildlife drives, canoeing (when water levels are high enough), mountain bike tours and bird watching. Also Cultural tours, picnicking, bush lunch/dinner, mountain bike tours, abseiling and forest walks on the escarpment outside the park.

Also Lake Manyara provides opportunities for ornithologists keen on viewing and observing over 300 migratory birds, including flamingo, long-crested eagle and grey-headed kingfisher.