Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960 and covers an area of 330 km2 including 230 km2 for the lake itself. It is located 130 km west of Arusha.
The word "Manyara" comes from a Maasai term which applies to a thorny plant used as a barrier to protect livestock against wild animals.
Lake Manyara National Park is a long corridor between the eastern shore of the lake and the 600m high rocky escarpment that marks the entrance to the Rift Valley. It is an exceptional site because it perfectly illustrates the phenomenal rupture of the immense Rift fault. The lake is supplied with water by springs emanating from the fault.
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To the northwest, at the entrance to the park, is a strip of tropical forest. Very large trees take advantage of the volcanic soil and porous rocks that allow the emergence of many clear springs. The forest is home to colonies of baboons, green monkeys and vervets. Along the lake, the track crosses a savannah dotted with trees. It is the realm of impalas, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras.
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The park is renowned for its concentrations of elephants which appreciate the rocky escarpments. It has become famous for its lions which roost in trees although they are rare to see. There is also the "Hippo-pool", a basin where you can observe hippos like rocks resting on the water. All around are a very large number of birds, 380 species have been identified: flamingos, herons, egrets, fish eagles, ibises, pelicans, jacanas ......
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