Lake Manyara is set below the Rift Valley Escarpment. It’s comprised of the lake, the ground water forest, swamps, acacia bushes and the hot springs to the south.
The name "Manyara" comes from the Maasai word emanyara, which is a euphorbia species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead.
The 329 km2 Lake Manyara is a magnet for birdlife and a kaleidoscope of different species can be found around it’s shores including a huge flock of flamingos.
The lake is alkaline or soda-lake, its ground water forest with Mahogany and sausage trees are alive with Blue monkey and vervet.
Elephant, bushbuck, waterbuck, baboon, leopard, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, impala, zebra and lion complete the picture of wildlife to be found.
The Lake is also famous for fighting male hippos who engage in fierce battles for territory.
Activities
The Lake Manyara circuit is a loop as the entrance and exit gate are the same. There is a cultural centre near the entrance to the park,
and visitors will often see monkeys and large birds near the entrance. in 2007, Lake Manyara introduced walking safaris in it's boundaries.
Apart from Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara is the only National Park where walking safaris are permitted.
