Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s oldest yet smallest parks, is a hidden gem for nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat at the start of their safari adventure. Though it may not host the same large wildlife populations as some of Tanzania’s more famous parks, it offers breathtaking landscapes and a unique ecological variety that captivates visitors.

The park’s namesake, a vast alkaline lake, is surrounded by a lush, evolving landscape that shifts from groundwater forests to flood plains and finally open grasslands, all sprinkled with iconic acacia trees. The lake itself is fed by the Simba and Makuyuni Rivers and contributes to the Rift Valley’s catchment area, especially during the rainy season. In recent years, rising water levels have transformed the scenery, leaving eerie skeletons of submerged trees along the old shoreline.

Wildlife includes buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and a range of primates like baboons. The park is also home to elusive leopards, though sightings are rare due to the dense vegetation. While tree-climbing lions and elephants were once park highlights, they have become harder to spot as the rising waters have shifted the habitat. Nonetheless, Lake Manyara’s diverse environment continues to attract adventurous travelers eager to discover its charm.

Highlights

As you enter Lake Manyara National Park, you’re welcomed by a lush forest filled with towering ancient trees like Mahogany, Sycamore figs, Kapok, and massive Baobabs. The park is teeming with wildlife, particularly large troops of olive baboons, sometimes numbering up to 150, which can be seen foraging and playing among the trees and along the rivers.

The lake itself is a sight to behold, surrounded by 670 species of flowering plants and 180 species of butterflies. Bird enthusiasts will find Lake Manyara a paradise, with over 390 recorded bird species. The air is occasionally pierced by the calls of Silvery-cheeked, Ground, and Red-billed Hornbills, while the water’s edge is frequented by Blacksmith Plovers, Little Egrets, Black Herons, Spoonbills, and Pink-backed Pelicans. Though flamingos were once common, they now appear only seasonally due to rising water levels.

On the open floodplains, large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and buffaloes gather, grazing while keeping watch for lurking predators, adding to the park’s vibrant wildlife spectacle.