Sheltering under the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park well known for its diverse set of landscapes and wildlife, and in particular for its elephants, incredible bird life, and large troops of baboons. The park covers an area of 325 sq. km, though the shallow, alkaline lake (Said by Ernest Hemingway to be the "loveliest [lake] in Africa") consumes roughly 2/3 of this area.

The majority of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara to the east. The escarpment's face, characterized by perennial herbs and distinguished by baobab trees, is dissected by spectacular gorges from which rivers, some flowing year round, feed into the lake. The park is home to three distinct habitats including a lush ground water forest, open floodplains and acacia woodlands. Below the rift wall, perennial springs in the north support a ground water forest of giant fig trees and mahoganies, where the baboons, elephants and impala can be found (the area around the park gate). The tree species reappear in riverine habitats. At the edges of the ground water forest, yellow fever trees and palms form dense stands. Woodlands are found in the central area of the park, while perennial grasses and acacia woodlands are found to the south.

While most known for elephants, baboons (one of the highest concentrations in Africa), and birds, the lake and its environs is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeest, buffalo, warthogs and giraffe. Given the Park's small size and wildlife abundance, it has been argued that it possibly has the greatest biomass density (weight per area) of mammals in the world, mainly due to its elephant (density 6/km) and buffalo (density 18/km) populations. Black rhinoceros are still present, although in small numbers. Other significant species are hippopotamus, impala, giraffe, and zebra.

The park has grown a reputation for its famous tree-climbing lions, which allegedly are found lazing in the branches of the acacia trees. This is probably a baseless observation, as lions in the Lake Manyara National Park are no different from lions elsewhere (though it has been stated that tree climbing behaviour may be related to the abundance of parasites and biting insects that inhabit the wet and muddy ground of the park). Lions do actually rest through the day up in the branches of large trees, this behaviour is not special nor endemic to Manyara. On the contrary, Lake Manyara lions are quite elusive and hard to spot. Your chances to see lions are far greater in the Serengeti or in the Ngorongoro crater.

The other big carnivore of the park is the leopard. However, pretty much like anywhere else, the leopards of Manyara, although in abundance, are elusive and only occasionally one gets the chance to glimpse one.

Lake Manyara provides exciting opportunities for ornithologists keen on viewing and observing over 300 migratory birds, including flamingo, long-crested eagle and grey-headed kingfisher. Spectacular flocks of water fowl are often present, sometimes breeding. Lesser flamingo can occur in thousands or millions and greater flamingo in smaller numbers. White pelicans, yellow-billed storks, ibis, and white-necked cormorants are also common. At least 44 species of diurnal birds of prey occur, including palm-nut vulture and Ayre's hawk.

With an entrance gate that doubles as an exit, the trail of Lake Manyara National Park is effectively a loop that can be traversed by jeep within a couple of hours that may be stretched to a few more at best, if driving slowly, to watch, observe and enjoy the diversity of flora and fauna. The Rift Valley escarpment forms a noteworthy landmark and provides a spectacular backdrop to Lake Manyara.

With excerpts from Wikipedia and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Photo by eismcsquare displayed under a Creative Commons Licence.