10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lake Manyara
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lake Manyara
If you’re heading to Tanzania, chances are you are visiting the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater. Known for the Big Five and diverse wildlife, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater deserve to be on everyone’s bucket list.
However, there’s a surprise package that you can pair with the Serengeti or Ngorongoro – it’s Lake Manyara National Park. This hidden gem can add a unique flavor to your safari experience. Why should I visit it? What is unique about Lake Manyara? Relax! We are here to address your questions. We’ve crafted ten reasons to visit this park.
1. To watch pink flamingos and other birds.
Flamingos deserve a treat for their beauty. These graceful birds congregate at the shores of Lake Manyara, creating a scenic background that photographers would love to see. And you can tell the beauty of the shores from over 500 meters away, because they make it look pinkish.
You can see flamingos on Lake Manyara from November to May – that’s during the wet season. In the dry season, the lake shrinks, forcing them to migrate to Lake Natron or Lake Nakuru in Kenya.
On top of flamingos, Lake Manyara is home to about 400 bird species. You can spot pelicans, kingfishers, storks, hornbills, herons, crowned eagles, and yellow-billed kites.
2. To see tree-climbing lions.
We all know leopards and cheetahs are big cats, very good at climbing trees. But in Lake Manyara, lions can climb upright trees with no struggles. These unique canines are confined in a few locations like Lake Manyara National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
So, pause the safari vehicle and watch a lioness taking its kill up a tree to avoid scavengers and noisy predators like hyenas and wild dogs. As you drive, be sure to look up acacia trees for a lion sighting, napping, or scanning for any prey.
3. To ride a canoe on Lake Manyara
A few parks in the Northern Circuit offer this unique experience, not in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro. So, why not view the vast wilderness from another angle?
A canoe safari takes you through the crystal-clear water of Lake Manyara. It is an adventure in itself, not to mention breathtaking views of colorful birds, lounging hippos, and lush vegetation.
4. To encounter a variety of animals
Lake Manyara offers a unique charm in terms of wildlife views, enough to battle with the top-notch destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. You can encounter four animals of the Big Five, the lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, with only the rhino being absent.
While on a game ride, you can encounter wildebeest, giraffe, impala, zebra, hyena, gazelle, and hartebeest in the grassy plains. The dense forests are home to a large population of baboons, probably of all the parks in the country.
5. To go on a sunset game drive
Let’s face it. Serengeti and Ngorongoro prohibit night game drives, but for a good reason: to protect their fragile ecosystems. And for a good cause, Lake Manyara permits a night safari.
After the sun sinks into the alkaline waters, another world of the nocturnal species comes to life. They take advantage of cool temperatures and the silence that comes with the dark to search for their prey.
Lake Manyara is home to nocturnal species like leopard, hyena, mongoose, jackal, squirrel, civet, and porcupines – not to mention birds like owls and nightjars. The silence makes distant lion roars and hyenas’ calls louder.
6. To walk a Treetop Walkway
Something to add to your safari experience in Tanzania should be a treetop canopy walk, only available in Lake Manyara. This 370-meter-long walk elevates your experience beyond a normal guided walk.
With a guide, you’ll discover many plants, watch birds up close, and experience a bird’s-eye view of the park. Baboons and monkeys are also a common sighting along this walk.
7. To watch large elephant herds
You can see an elephant in most Tanzanian parks, but seeing massive herds is possible in a few parks, including Lake Manyara. Here, large herds roam through the plains and dense woodlands.
A unique feature about these herds is that an old matriarch leader rules the herd. She’s responsible for finding water and pasture for the herd. Male calves may leave the herd once they mature and form bachelor herds.
8. To be alone.
While neighbors like Serengeti get crowds, especially in the dry season, Lake Manyara remains calm and quiet throughout the year. Couples, families, or honeymooners seeking privacy are welcome.
The park has the best accommodations, worth spending a quiet nighttime. A one-night stay at the &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is a special treat. Campsites are outside the park, close to the communities.
9. To experience culture
Just outside the park are the Maasai villages built in unique boma-style. A half or full day with the warriors in the bush is worthwhile. Want a dance? The Maasai know how to do it better. Their jumping dance, accompanied by jiggling sounds of the women’s beads and songs, will amaze you.
For a more thrilling cultural adventure, you can set off for Lake Eyasi to meet the Hadzabe, one of a few tribes who still rely on hunting and gathering for a living.
10. To experience the Great Rift Valley
Lake Manyara is one of the beautiful lakes in Tanzania, lying under the Great Rift Valley. This allows you to hike or go for a biking tour in a challenging escarpment.
So, any time you feel bored being idle in your lodge, you can head out for a hike to an escarpment to experience a panoramic view of the soda lake, wildlife, and the flamingos.
The bottom line
This is just a handful of things to do on your safari to Lake Manyara. We can tailor your Tanzania safari based on the experiences you want to embark on. Whether you want an amazing horseback ride or a boat cruise, you won’t regret being in Lake Manyara National Park.
Are you ready for an adventure in Lake Manyara? We are here to make your safari itinerary within a few minutes. Contact our expert safari planners to start planning your unforgettable Tanzania adventure.
