 Lake
Manyara National Park ( 130 km from Arusha ) has been a Mecca for seekers
of wildlife since safari travel began. The most famous spectacle in the
Park are the tree-climbing lions which spend most of the day spread out
along the branches of acacia trees, six to seven meters above the ground.
Nesting at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is noted
for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate, they pass into the
lush forest, home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys.
Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and
beyond, the soda lake itself, covering 390 sq km and sanctuary to over 350
species of birds including flamingo, pelican, storks, sacred ibis, cormorants
and Egyptian geese. The Park is also noted for its numerous baffalo, elephant,
giraffe, impala, hippo and great variety of smaller animals.
|
| Size |
330 sq km ( about 205 sq miles), of which
about 200 sq km ( about 125 sq miles ) is lake. |
| How to get |
By road, charter or scheduled flight from
Arusha, en route to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. |
| What to do |
Canoeing, with plans for forest walks on
the escarpment. Cultural tours, bike tours and abseiling outside
the park. |
| When to go |
Dry season ( July-October ) for large mammals;
wet season ( November-June ) for bird watching, the waterfalls
and canoeing. |
| Accommodation |
One luxury tented camp, public bandas and
campsites inside the park; 1 luxury tented camp and 2 lodges
perched on the Rift Wall; guesthouses and campsites in nearby
town. |
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