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Information on Parks
Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania's water wonderland. Lying in shadow depression of the base of the western wall of the Eastern arm of the Rift valley, Lake Manyara spreads art in a heat haze backed by a narrow band of forest and the shear red and brown cliffs of the escarpment. Located 125 km west of Arusha town," Driving time from Arusha is about 3 hours "under the wall of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park attained its status in 1960.The park is 330 km2 in size of which Lake Manyara covers 230 km2.It contains a large variety of habitats such as the rift wall, the ground water forest, Acacia woodland, area of open grassland, to mention but a few; thus being able to support large number of species.
The most famous spectacle in the park is the tree-climbing lions, which are occasionally seen along branches of Acacia trees.Other animals found in this area include elephants, leopard, impala, hippos as well as millions of birds (pelicans and flamingos).Lake Manyara National Park has the highest population of elephants per squire km in the country. Places of stay are campsites and bandas within the park.
As you approach the village of Mto wa Mbu (Mosquito Creek) from the direction of Arusha the outstanding landmark is the spectacular rift wall. Here where the Maasai plains give way to the cultivated uplands of Mbululand, lies Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the escarpment.
The Park derives its name from the Maasai word "manyara," which is the name for the plant Euphorbia tirucalli. The Maasai use this plant to grow livestock stockades. Eventually manyara will produce a stockproof hedge which is more durable than any made of cut thorn branches. There is a specimen of Euphorbia tirucalli at the entrance gate.
Activites and Special Interests Bird watching, photography, walking safaris.
Wildlife Gazelles; impala; buffalo; wildebeest; the famous tree climbing lion; hyaena; baboon; giraffe; hippopotamus; and a great number of smaller mammals; 350 species of bird, storks and flamingoes.
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