Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a scenic treasure nestled between the eastern and western escarpments of the Rift Valley. Despite its relatively small size of 330 sq. km, the park boasts a diverse array of flora, fauna, and avifauna. The park’s landscape features an evergreen forest nourished by subterranean springs, which attracts a variety of migratory and wetland birds.

The park is dominated by shallow, alkaline-saline soda waters. This unique ecosystem, formed by rapid evaporation, leaves high concentrations of salt and sodium carbonate in the lake’s waters—an ideal environment in which the microorganism, cyanobacteria, thrives. This blue-green alga attracts flamingos that, having adapted to the caustic waters, enjoy a year-round food source.

Lake Manyara National Park is home to a vast array of wildlife. In addition to an impressive selection of birdlife, you will find large troops of baboons and monkeys, climbing lions, elephant, giraffe, hippo, at least six species of antelope and two of gazelle, as well as zebra, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, warthogs, and hyrax!

Nearby is Mto Wa Mbu a town whose 18,000 residents come from 120 different tribes! This meeting of traditions makes for a unique cultural richness.