Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is comprised of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Two-thirds of the park is covered by water and Lake Manyara is host to thousands of flamingoes, at certain times of year, as well as other diverse bird life. Birds found within the park include ostrich, egrets, herons, pelicans and storks. The rare pygmy goose, various species of ibis and the African spoonbills have also been seen.

The highlight of Lake Manyara Park is the large population of elephants, tree-climbing lions and hippos that can be observed at a much closer range than in other parks. This national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons in the world. Lake Manyara was formed between two and three million years ago when streams poured over the valley wall after the Rift Valley was formed. The lake was probably at its largest 250,000 years ago but in recent years the lake levels are falling. Two sets of hot springs are located within Lake Manyara National Park. The smaller of the two, Maji Moto Ndogo, is near the wall of the escarpment and the second, Maji Moto, is near the Endabash River.

Wildlife drives, canoeing (when water levels are high enough), mountain bike tours and bird watching are the most popular activities in Lake Manyara National Park. A small museum located at the gate to the park features displays of bird and rodent life found in the park.