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Home | Travel & Leisure | Travel Destinations Lake Manyara National Park is situated in the northern Tanzania, the entrance gate lies 126 km west of Arusha (about 1.5 hrs) along a newly surfaced road, close to the ethnically diverse Market town of Mto wa Mbu. It measures 330 sq km of which 200 sq km is Lake when water levels are high. Manyara is a small but a scenic national park, excellent for bird watching and a good area to find elephant, as well as potential excitement for spotting a legendary Lake Manyara tree-climbing lion. Lake Manyara was named in accordance to the Massai people, descendants of the north-west Lake Manyara. The name “Manyara” has been derived from a thorny plant specie, which was grown into a hedge-like bush in order to protect their cattle from predators. Manyara is often visited at afternoon at the start of Safari and/or a morning at the end, as it lies on route and from Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is a good soft introduction to the Safari experience. It is a magical and a pretty park that winds its way around a mainly forested driving route between the banks of soda water Lake Manyara and impressive rise of the Great Rift Escarpment. Its tree climbing lions, and hippos are a major attraction of the National Park. These lions are often seen resting in the acacia trees. It is unknown as to why these lions choose to rest amongst these trees, but it has been suggested that the trees are easily recognizable for the lions, and are abundant within the park - giving them plenty of resting space. Elephants are also another major attraction of the park, as the rocky slopes within the park are suitable for these creatures. There is a large abundance of elephants here at Manyara, with as many as 7 per square kilometre - the highest elephant population recorded. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS. Elephant, giraffe, Impala, buffalo and wildebeest can be found grazing in unexpected clearings or heading towards the water to drink or wash, and the rivers and riverbeds provide scenic vistas for possible animal spotting's. Warthog seem to thrive here, growing notably fat and tuskered, and it is a natural playground for baboons and monkeys. Inland of the floodplain, a narrow belt of acacia woodland is the favoured haunt of Manyara’s legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants. Squadrons of banded mongoose dart between the acacias, while the diminutive Kirk’s dik-dik forages in their shade. Pairs of klipspringer are often seen silhouetted on the rocks above a field of searing hot springs that steams and bubbles adjacent to the lakeshore in the far south of the park. Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks. CLIMATE. Lake Manyara has a warm to hot climate year around due to its altitude and close proximity to the equator. Minimum temperatures are 15 degrees to maximum 40 degrees C, and the heat reaches its peak in the dry months of January and February. Superb game viewing is offered throughout the year but is at its peak from December to February and from August to September . Short rains start from November to December, and Long rains from March to May. MTO WA MBU. Outside the park lies the village of Mto Wa Mbu, which means "mosquito creek". this is a major stop off point for people going on safari to the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater. Here is a large and thriving craft market where one can buy souvenirs. Cultural Village Tour Program at Mto wa Mbu in a green-oasis can be organized ACTIVITIES. Guided walking safaris at Mto wa Mbu or Olivers` Camp, game viewing, canoeing when the water level is sufficiently high, cultural tours, night game drive, nature walk in the Great Rift Valley, mountain bike tours, abseiling and forest walks on the escarpment outside the park. The best time to go there is : during the dry season from July – October for large mammals; wet season November – June for bird watching, the water falls and canoeing. ACCOMODATION 1. Lake Manyara Tree Lodge It is a conservation Corporation tented camp with tents appropriately vast and impressively decorated to suit the Cons. Corp. style. The camp is intended to allude to the Arabian influences in East Africa, with banana palm thatched huts, artisan beds and fine decoration throughout. Lake Manyara tree lodge is discreetly tucked away in an ancient mahogany forest in close proximity to the exquisite Soda lake of Lake Manyara itself. 2.Kirurumu Tented Lodge It is the only owner-run safari camp and the most atmospheric, with permanent tented rooms built onto a stilted wooden base all designed to give each a private bush enclosure with its own undisturbed view. The open-sided dining room and naturally sanded wood and rock-enclosed bar also make the most of the location, and food and service are excellent. Meals rely heavily on fresh fruit and produce, and vegetables and herbs from their own organic garden, and are greatly enhanced by a selection of fine wines from the bar. Has 20 secure tents. 3.Lake Manyara Serena Lake Manyara Serena is constructed to an intriguing design with barely a straight line to be seen, so that the whole rather resembles a rambling trogladite village all centered around a wonderful drop-off pool and bar. The views from this central point are clear and far-reaching, and a large fixed telescope to play with, almost rivals Ngorongoro for the sundowner safari experience. Rooms are individual and provide all amenities expected of the Serena standards, including immaculate decoration and reliably delicious restaurant repast 4.Migunga forest camp Migunga is an ideal place for starting and ending a safari in northern circuit. It is on the door step of some of the finest animal reserves and scenery in Africa. Migunga Forest Camp is set on 35 acres of acacia forest in a secluded part of Migungani Village. The lake is 2 km away. Bushbuck and Antelopes are sometimes seen on the property. The camp consists of 9 – self contained tents. 5.Lake Manyara Hotel It is built 1,400 m above sea level on the western escarpment of the huge rift valley, L Manyara Hotel overlooks the grassy lake of the Manyara National Park. The Lodge offers the magnificent panoramic views of the National Park Below, and of the seemingly unending surrounding landscape. Has 100 room 6.Twiga campsite Based at Mto wa Mbu to town, just outside of Lake Manyara. The accommodation and facilities are very clean. The campsite is 5 minutes from the Park gate. Have 8 self contained rooms and tent area for campers. 7.E unoto retreat ITINERARY SAMPLE FOR MANYARA; Day 1: Arusha Day 2: Lake Manyara Game drive in this small but very attractive park. In the early evening continue up the Rift Valley escarpment to the Kirurumu Tented Lodge, which is set upon the edge of the Great Rift Valley and enjoys panoramic views of Lake Manyara and the surrounding area. Day 3:You may go for a cultural tour at Mto wa Mbu village near Lake Manyara. Day 4: Depart back to Arusha / Moshi For more information on visiting Tanzania contact Wild Things For more information on visiting Tanzania's mountains contact Mountain Kingdom Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
john Mansur is a Tanzanian Safari consultant on work experience with Wild Things and MK Safaris in Tanzania www.wildthingsafaris.com . www.mksafaris.com .
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