Lake Manyara National park

Resting in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 330 square kilometres of which the lake itself takes up about two thirds (230 km2). The lake itself is a shallow, alkaline lake lying at the base of a cliff-face that is part of the western Rift Valley wall. What is immediately noticeable is that there is no eastern wall. Instead, the landscape eases gently into a depression and as a result some of the area's most spectacular scenery is found here. The word 'manyara' is the Masaai word for the pencil plant which is often planted to form thick barricades that serve as livestock pens.

The entrance gate to the park lies about 3Km west of the town of Mto wa Mbu (River of Mosquitos!). The road winds for several kilometres through a cool, lush and mature forest before arriving at the famous Manyara hippo pools. The scenery changes rather dramatically as one emerges from the thick forest out onto grassy plains with wild mango and date palms and it is actually possible to get out of the vehicle and and view the abundant bird and wildlife that gravitates to the marsh. The hippos themselves weigh between 2 and 3 tons each and their skin is extremely sensitive to the harsh sun and they therefore submerge themselves in water for much of the day. Hippos can remain underwater for three to five minutes before resurfacing which allows them to mate, give birth and suckle - all underwater! In the evening they leave the lake to graze on the sedge growing close to the lake shores or on the surrounding vegetation. On land one should take care to avoid hippos as they are known to be bad tempered and aggressive and therefore extremely dangerous animals. Some of the birdlife to be found at the pools include Sacred ibis, Knob-billed ducks, African jacanas, Greater cormorants and Water dikkops. Flamingos can be found in Manyara throughout the year sometimes making the lake actually appear pink, especially from the air.

The forests themselves are full of bird and wildlife and the shade provided among the palm thickets, acacia woodland and baobab and sausage trees provides relief for wildlife and tourist alike. There are in fact over 380 bird species recorded in the park.In the southern half of the park are two easily accessible hot springs, Maji Moto Ndogo or 'Little Hot Water', and further south the Maji Moto. The hot water emerges from fractures in the rock emanating from deep below the earth's surface. Here one can find the elusive Klipspringer antelope as well as blue and vervet monkeys.
Throughout the park one can find buffalo, giraffe, zebra, baboons and elephants - although the elephant population has been depleted considerably since it's fame of the 1970's, by poachers. The most famous residents these days are without a doubt the tree-climbing lions.

The acacia woodland in the northern section of the park comprises mainly of Acacia tortillis or 'umbrella tree', whose curving branches and shady canopies provide an ideal place to escape the day's heat. It is quite common to see a hanging tail or paw draped lazily over a branch while a lion indulges in its favorite pasttime - sleep.