Lake Manyara national park

Lake Manyara national park (Biosphere reserve) under UNESCO the park established in 1960, The second oldest national park together with Arusha national park. surface area 330 km of which one third island (100 km, 30%) remain being part of lake Manyara. Maximum length 32 km from South to North. Height Above the sea level 960 Lake Manyara 1,600 M the uppermost point of the rift valley wall in the southern part of the park. The Great rift valley wall in the north rise about 250 M above lake Manyara.

Lake Manyara national park within the Great rift valley which start from Turkey to Zambezi and follows the red sea, along the line of the Ethiopian highland through Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. Rift valley to Kenya the fault divides into Eastern and Western arms. Manyara is within the Eastern arm.

The park has an area of 648.7 Km2 (402 sq miles) is covered by lake and 386 km2 (240sq miles) is dry land.

Lake Manyara national park derived it is name from a plant called Euphorbia tirucalii, Known as Emanyara. A Maasai word for a plant which called emanyara used by Maasai tribe for making living stockades around their Kraals. It is scientific called Euphorbia tirucalii. other Maasai elders argue that it comes from the word old Manyara which means settlement. The outstanding features of the park include spectacular escarpment of the rift valley wall. One unique feature of the Manyara national park is underground water forest, the most impressive unit of its kind in the whole 5,600 kilometres of the East Africa rift valley. It’s large on account of this forest that UNESCO named Manyara as a biosphere reserve. The extinct volcano in that area that effectively catches the rains on which the forest covering its slopes for their water.

The rain retained by the forest soaks into the earth, which is porous, being of Volcanic origin.

Heading on wards after the village of Mto wa mbu and the junction where the main gate of Manyara national park is located, the road makes a steep ascent up to the rift valley wall. here around 250 meters above lake Manyara is a small lay-by where spectacular views of Manyara open up, although it also provides a good impression of the vegetation of the park as well. the area immediately below is occupied by dense stand of deep green trees belonging to the ground water forest, but if you cast your eyes further south the vegetation grades into tree and shrub savannah and the shores that frame lake Manyara are Soda flats or open short grass plains.

Among the most essential features of the ground water forest are the dense stands of large trees. the species are mostly the same as are found throughout the uplands of northern Tanzania, but with two essential differences the number of species in one location reaches its maximum size as well. one of the dominant trees is the sycamores fig tree (ficus sycamores) a magnificent buttress root, spreading tree that is easy to identify by its distinctive yellow to creamy brown bark. other common dominant trees are the Broad – leaved croton (Croton macrostachyus) which is easy to recognize by its large heart – shaped leaves, desert date tree (Balanites aegyptiaca).

Lake Manyara national park is the home of tree Climbing lions as one amongst of carnivores that found in the parks, other predator animals are Spotted hyena, leopard, Cheetah and jackals.

Most iconic identity of the Lake Manyara is Home of bird life in the lake such as Flock of Flamingo’s and other relative birds species.

As you enter the gate the park is dramatically marked by lush green vegetation consisting of tall trees of the ground water forest which provides home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys.

Further down the forest opens up into woodlands and swamps beyond the Soda Lake.

Highlights include a thousand of pink – hued Flamingos on their perpetual migration as well as other large water birds such as Pelicans, Cormorants and Stocks.

The lake Manyara has in late only and without out late of waters. Lake Manyara has hot springs sources due to drainage pattern of hot rocks that are found in the lake.

Lake Manyara national park offers wide Panoramic view to see high wildlife density, high diversity of wildlife species and Habitats (7 wildlife habitat).

The Lake forms the most spectacular sight and it is habitat of waterfowls such as Lesser flamingo.

Tree climbing lions.

Large herds of elephant and buffalos.

Rift valley escarpment forms a unique scenic beauty of the park.

Ground water forest an evergreen forest nurtured by fresh water springs.

Marang forest which take in diversity of animals, birds and plant species.

High diversity of bird’s species (Over 390 species) both migrants and residents.

Hippopotamus population at hippo pool.

Hot springs.

Climate situation, the rainfall pattern of the park is bi-modal with short rains starting from November to December and long rains from February to May. Dry season is from late June to October. Annual mean temperature is 26.50C, Average temperature 11 – 340C. Relative humidity ranges from 45% – 85%.

Lake Manyara national park is located in Northern Tanzania, 126Km (78.3 miles) west of Arusha town along the Makuyuni – Ngorongoro road. The park is close to the ethnically diverse market town of Mto wa mbu.

Accessibility to reached Lake Manyara national park, can accessed all year around. However, June through October is the best time for large mammals and November through June is ideal time for bird watching.

Lake Manyara is easily accessible by Road and air (Charter or scheduled flights).

Mostly Tourists should Stop and see the panoramic spectacular view of Manyara and other related part,

The park is strategically located along the high way to Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti.

Lions can climb the trees in other parks but in Manyara the behavior is More evident due to the nature of the park.

Some of the attractions found within the park may not be seen in other famous parks, such as hot spring, ground water forest and rift valley escarpment.

Most of the attractions are within the stretch of 50 Km long that is accessible all the year around.

Mto wa mbu is a close by Village in which a good representation of the 120 tribes of Tanzania can be found. This reveals high diversity of culture which attract tourist.