Tanzania safari - Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is famous for extensive biodiversity, tree climbing lions, pythons and superb bird life, especially flamingo.
Manyara is the Maasai name for 'pencil euphorbia', the tough, evergreen vegetation used locally for animal enclosures.
Nestling between the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment on one side and the white hot shores of an ancient soda lake on the other, Lake Manyara National Park is noted for its incredibly beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife.
There are seven distinct wildlife habitats within the park, despite the widest point being no more than 10 kilometers.
Such amazing bio diversity is supported by seasonal rain and highland streams pouring over the Rift Valley wall. All helping to support the lush forest, woodland and grassland habitats, which are home to large herds of elephant, buffalo, Maasai giraffe and impala. Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the Lake and return to the acacia woodland where they can be found languishing in the trees during the heat of the day.
Hot and cold springs feed into the lake. The shallow, warm alkaline water expands or shrinks depending on the rain. During dry periods, water evaporation creates a perfect environment for algae and crustaceans on which two different species of flamingo thrive.
The 200sq km soda lake attracts over 400 species of birds, particularly waterfowl and migrants. Further into the park, hippo can be seen near to the bubbling hot springs.
The park was once favored by big game hunters – Ernest Hemingway featured it in his book The Green Hills of Africa. Today the wildlife within it's borders are protected.
Highlights: Lake Manyara varied habitats and extensive wildlife species provides a compact Tanzania safari experience, especially if you have limited time.
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Page update 06/06/2012
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