A Paradise for Bird Lovers and Tree-Climbing Lions
Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is a small but incredibly diverse wildlife sanctuary. The park is best known for its tree-climbing lions, an unusual behavior where lions lounge in the branches of acacia trees. While sightings are never guaranteed, Lake Manyara offers a high chance of witnessing this rare phenomenon.
The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 bird species, including large flocks of pink flamingos, pelicans, and storks that gather along the shores of the soda lake. The combination of lush forests, open woodlands, and the vast lake creates a beautiful and varied landscape that provides a home for elephants, hippos, baboons, and giraffes.
Lake Manyara is an excellent destination for a canoe safari (seasonal) or a night game drive, one of the few places in Tanzania where this is permitted. The park is accessible year-round, but the dry season (June to October) is best for game viewing, while the wet season (November to May) transforms the landscape into a lush green paradise perfect for birdwatching.