Set around a shallow alkaline lake, surrounded by ancient baobabs, ground water forest of fig and mahogany and open grasslands, this park lies at the foot of a dramatic escarpment, offering a rich diversity of scenery and wildlife.

Considered as one of Tanzania´s most attractive game sanctuaries, it is home for the famous tree climbing lions. Birdlife is prolific, and a very high density of elephant population coexist with buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and other big game.

This is one of the most diverse of Tanzania’s national parks, a tiny (325km²) combination of Rift Valley lake, dense woodlands and steep mountainside. Made famous by elephant researcher, Dr Iain Douglas Hamilton in his book, ‘Among the Elephants’. Manyara was established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. But heavy poaching in the 1970’s and 1980’s decimated the herds, although they are now recovering and returning to their former strengths.

Manyara is a birding paradise (more than 380 species), especially for waterfowl and migrants, and the forests are one of the best places around to see leopards. Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake, and were once known for their habit of climbing trees, although this behavior seems to have been dropped in recent years.

The park can easily be seen in a day. Best game viewing months are December to February and May to July, tapering off in August and September. Most visitors will tailor a visit to Manyara to fit in with a trip to one of the Big Three parks (Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro). The Kirurumu Tented Lodge at Lake Manyara has been nominated for an award for its efforts as a conservation project involving the local community.