LAKE MANYARA

Area: 330 km²
Location: 120km west of Arusha, approx. 2hrs
Considered as one of Tanzania’s most attractive game sanctuaries, it is home for the famous tree climbing lions.
An outstanding park for birding: 487 species have been recorded and, depend¬ing on seasonal conditions, vast numbers of flamingos, pelicans and storks may be present. The adjacent forest is home to blue monkeys and buffaloes, plains zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, ele¬phants and Masai giraffes are found in the woodland and grasslands. Lions and leop¬ards occur in small numbers and hippos reside in the lake.

Wildlife rhythms: Most mammals resident year-round.

Watching tips: Start looking out for wildlife about 50km from Arusha, where you'll see plains zebras; closer to the park at Makuyuni, Masai gi¬raffes, more zebras, wilde¬beests, and Thomson's and Grant's gazelles appear. The trees around Mto Wa Mbu village are cluttered with marabou stork nests. Flamingos are also present at the lake. What to do: Game drives, museum at park entrance.