Lake Manyara National Park is located along the northern circuit of Tanzania and was gazette in 1960 to protect wildlife species living here, it is the second oldest conservation area of Tanzania after the Serengeti National Park, it covers an area space of approximately 330kilomters, most of this space is the Lake Manyara, the park is named after the Lake Manyara, the local Maasai people named the Lake, its name is obtained from the fences they grow from their homesteads called “Emanyara”. The park is famous for tree-climbing lions and large herds of African elephants.
The park stretches along the floor of the Rift Valley region, it is home to abundant wildlife species, animals, birds, lakes, forests, and marshy swampy areas among other ecosystems, there is a bundle of attractions that would make you want to reach Lake Manyara national park, for example, the Lake Manyara its self, animals of the park, many birds some of which are endemics to the destination, hot springs, the rift valley escarpment, to mention a few, these offer the chance to do below tourism activities in Lake Manyara National park
Game drives, this is the most done activity, it is done in sessions, in the morning time beginning at 6:30 am, afternoon time at 2:30 pm, and evening times at 4:30 pm, the park is one of the few places in Tanzania where night game drives are allowed in search of nocturnal species, the most recommendable time to do game drives is in the early morning when animals are more active, these are done using 4*4 wheel car drives with an open roofto enhance the guest experience on animal viewing and taking pictures, game drives last for 2-3 hours or can even take the whole day in the park with packed lunches, expect to see African elephants, African buffaloes, leopards, lions, hartebeests, giraffes to mention a few.
Birding in Lake Manyara National Park, there are over 450 species of birds have been recorded in the national park, the lake its self-shines with hundreds of pink flamingoes and pelicans, other bird types include hornbills, African fish eagles, African harrier hawks, giant kingfishers, sunbirds, yellow breasted sunbirds to mention a few, birding experience is best done during the wet season, in this time it is a fruiting time, the park receives migratory speciesfrom other destinations, to enjoy a birding experience, it is wise to bring binoculars, good cameras, hiking boots, and any other items of personal nature.
A boat ride in Lake Manyara National Park is a seasonal activity that entirely depends on the levels of water on the Lake, the higher the water levels the better hence it is only done in the wet season, along the marshy swampy areas except to see many bird species for example pelicans, African fish eagles, grey crested crowns, to mention a few.
Visit the hot springs, which are evidential features of the Rift Valley region, the hot springs of the Lake Manyara National Park, the hot springs here are called MajiMto, they are hot enough to even boil an egg, it is a super experience as you enjoy a game drive en route to the hot springs.
In conclusion, there are several other activities to do in the national park, these can be combined with activities along the northern circuit of Tanzania.