Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara is where the Great Rift Valley escarpment plunges dramatically to meet the alkaline waters of the lake below. This compact park packs remarkable diversity into its boundaries, with habitats ranging from groundwater forest to acacia woodland, open grassland, and the lake itself.

Tree-climbing lions

The groundwater forest near the entrance is unlike anything else in Tanzania. Fed by underground springs from the escarpment, these lush woods support troops of baboons and blue monkeys swinging through the canopy, while bushbuck and dik-dik pick their way through the undergrowth. It is a reminder that African safaris are not only about the savannah.

Lake Manyara gained fame through Ernest Hemingway's description as the loveliest lake in Africa, and his words still ring true. When water levels are favorable, thousands of flamingos congregate along the shore, their pink masses creating an unforgettable spectacle against the blue water and brown escarpment.

The park's tree-climbing lions remain its most sought-after sighting. While the behavior's origins are debated, there is no denying the thrill of spotting a lion draped languidly over a branch, surveying its kingdom from above.