Lake Manyara National Park sits at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is one of the most scenic national parks in Tanzania making it a popular Tanzania safari destination. Lake Manyara boasts many stunning views of the park from every direction. From the east, the Rift Valley escarpment emerges on the horizon with the lake forming as a glistening background. On the southern side of the Lake Manyara Park, you will find the hot springs of Maji Moto, which are about 60ºC - too hot to relax in on safari but, watching the steam rise off this “mini hot lake” in Manyara’ is mesmerizing. At the top of the Manyara escarpment from the west side, the park stretches across a ribbon of green with the lake shining in the sun. And, like most Rift Valley lakes, the water is alkaline. This attracts loads of flocks of flamingos - which forms pink foam against the silver background of the water – a very special Tanzania safari sight to witness. Altogether, Lake Manyara offers beautiful views as you take in the massive lake with its silver shimmer and surrounding vegetation.

The major landmark of the Lake Manyara National Park is actually the spectacular rift wall, where the plains give way to the cultivated uplands of Mbululand. The Great Rift Valley is part of a fault in the earth's crust. This fault stretches 8,000 km from Turkey to the mouth of the Zambezi River in Mozambique. The fault is so massive that astronauts can see it clearly from space. It measures only 330 km2 (of which the lake occupies 230 km2) and is located only 130 km from Arusha. This park often gets many day visitors, who come to enjoy the endless views and the variety of mammals, reptiles and birds, as well as, the varied vegetation, flora and fauna. Nothing can quite compare to seeing this massive rift in the Lake Manyara National Park which naturally during your Tanzania safari ...

The diversity of Lake Manyara features make the lake a particularly memorable place to visit. Animals found in the area include zebra, elephant, hippo, monkey, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, gazelle, impala, buffalo, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, hyena, baboon and giraffe. Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions. These majestic animals find shelter from the heat and biting flies in the branches of trees, and these lions can easily kill buffalo - which are far greater in weight and size than themselves. There are also over 350 species of birds, with a variety of local species inhabiting the forest and bush, including pelicans that waddle around next to the short grass on the shore of the lake.

Whatever you are looking for – animal sightings, bird-life or breath-taking scenery – Lake Manyara has it all. Explore Lake Manyara on a safari through Tanzania and discover the secrets, history and beauty that Manyara is known for….