Lake Manyara Tanzania Guide

Situated inside Lake Manyara National Park, the lake is home to millions of flamingos, pelicans, storks and other plentiful bird life, as well as hippos that can be observed at close range. Hot springs trickle into the shallow waters and during the dry season, the lakeshore retreats to leave striking white soda deposits in its wake.

Lake Manyara is a shallow freshwater lake in Tanzania. Said by Ernest Hemingway to be the "loveliest lake ... in Africa," it is also the home of a diverse set of landscapes and wildlife.

The name Manyara comes from the Maasai word emanyara, which is a euphorbia species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead .

The name "is a Masai description not for the lake, but in general for a lake shore region."

Of the 127 square miles (329 km2) of Manyara National Park, the lake's alkaline waters cover approximately 89 square miles (231 km2).

While most known for baboons, the lake and its environs is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs and giraffes.

Giant fig trees and mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates draw nourishment from the underground springs replenished continuously from crater highlands directly above the Manyara basin.

Leading away from the forest to the fringes of Manyara are the flood plains. To the south are visible the acacia woodlands. Leopards, although in abundance, are hard to get a glimpse of, just like the other elusive carnivores - the lions - of this park.

Manyara provides opportunities for ornithologists keen on viewing and observing over 300 migratory birds, including flamingo, Long-crested Eagle and Grey-headed Kingfisher.

With an entrance gate that doubles as an exit, the trail of Manyara National Park is effectively a loop that can be traversed by jeep within a couple of hours that may be stretched to a few more at best, if driving slowly, to watch, observe and enjoy the diversity of flora and fauna.

The Rift Valley escarpment forms a noteworthy landmark and provides a spectacular backdrop to Lake Manyara.

Accommodation at Lake Manyala