Lake Manyara National Park is one of the UNESCOs biospheres protected area. It’s one of the treasures found in the Northern part of Tanzania in the Arusha extending to the Manyara regions. it’s an hour and a half drive from the Arusha town. T can also be reached from Lake Manyara airport nearby. The Manyara national part is situated coincidentally between the alkaline lake to the East and the Gregory rift wall valley to the west. The park covers 325 square kilometers including 230km square of the lake surface. The lake has an extensive bird’s species that adds to the protected biosphere reserve. To the southern part of the park, is an escarpment with a Marang Forest reserve about 35,399 ha. There is also a wildlife migration corridor that carters for wildlife migration between the Tarangire national park and the Engaruka Basin to the North.
Manyara has previously been a hunting and sporting activities, until recently in 1957 when it was established as a game reserve.it was given national status in 1974 when 1400 acres were added to the southern end.
What is special about Manyara national park?
Manyara had been the Africa’s largest wildlife biomass until 1985 when illegal poaching peaked and the elephant mass dropped by 75% which formed the most population in the pride of the biomass. Previously it used to also have a high population of the black rhinos unfortunately by the year 1996 they were no longer present.
Alongside the wildlife treasures, lake Manyara has fish species that tolerate the saine nature even though the species is also endangered and rule out for exploitation by the authorities. Protected area acts as seed stock to restore the ecosystem. In addition to the fish, there is also over 180 butterfly’s species that has been documented in the park.
Tree climbing lions:
Despite Lions being known to be the king of the jungle, most lion’s kingdom authority is usually underground. Altitudes of the trees are not where their power would reach. However, a unique group of lions have challenged the odds and developed the muscle to climb trees. Naturally lions are not equipped to climb trees unlike their counter cousins, leopards and cheetah given their large anatomy, and the natural of trees that are usually found where they inhabit. Trees are usually too thin for them to safely climb and have their beauty nap.
In Manyara though, there are tree with a breadth large enough to accommodate a lazy post prandial lion who want the soothing breeze after their hunt. Similar lions may only be found in Tarangire, a bit of the Serenegeti, the Ishasha area in the queen Elizabeth national park and some parts of South Africa. It’s a life-time opportunity to witness how one beats nature. The lions’ curbs learn about tree climbing given the natural habitat that promotes tree climbing and from their elders!
The lake Manyara attracts various bird species, predominantly pink flamingos alongside Pangni long claw, silvery hornbill, Narina Trogon, Schwalows Turaco, crested guinea fowl and long-tailed fiscal amongst many others. Also, there are more than 50 birds of prey recorded in Manyara including the Crowned Eagle and 51 species of diurnal birds of prey within them 6 species of owl
The canopy tree walk
Lake Manyara offers an opportunity to experience wildlife in a unique way, it allows you to walk at tree top height to view the wildlife birds and some primates inclusive.
The cultural tourism:
While tourism is largely famous for the wildlife, Tanzania offers more than just that! In Manyara you may have an opportunity to immerse in a culturally diverse community and specifically unique semi nomadic pastoral society if the Maasai. While at this you will learn how the effects of global warming can affect an individual person, you will learn the beautiful architecture of the Maasai bomas, you will learn the cultural reasoning of polygamy, the colorful art of bearding just to mention a few.
You will also learn how sustainable tourism helps the community around the parks.
Best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park
Birding is a kind of an activity that can be done through out the year in lake Manyara. Most of the species are native or resident in additional to the immigrants. The best time to do a birding safari is November through April where the natives alongside the migratory birds from Europe and Northen Africa can be spotted. The wet season is the period when the birds are matting thus, they would put a show for you to see. It’s important to have binoculars for viewing and a very knowledgeable guide by your side for a totally blissful birding.
In your Manyara plate of exploration, you may also add night game reserves, guided walking safaris, canoeing as well as cycling in mto wa mbu just close by the park among many other activities.
Cost of visiting lake Manyara national park
The cost varies greatly due to variation of nationalities, age, visiting season as well as services offered during the visit. On average it spans minimally starts from 40USD for non-East African. Explore the price options with your specific tour operator to get down to the nitty gritty details of what you can afford.
