Although return safari-goers tend to skip Lake Manyara National Park, it’s still one of those ‘must-see’ experiences for new visitors. Bordered by the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment, the park comprises a blissful melee of grassy floodplains, Acacia woodlands, and hot springs called Maji Moto.

Of course, the jewel in this park’s crown is Lake Manyara herself. Referred to by Ernest Hemingway as ‘the loveliest lake’, this iridescent pool certainly remains so to this day. Aside from her flamboyance of pink Lesser flamingos in their thousands, she sustains a record-breaking 400-plus species of birds. 

Hippo, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest are your regulars here, but you’re also guaranteed to delight in smaller sightings such as Sykes monkey and short-eared galago. And if you are persistent, you may even encounter those legendary tree-climbing lions draped across the branches above you.

Lake Manyara National park is at its best during the dry season from late June to October when the animal action turns up a notch. However, it’s still a scene to behold during the wet season from November to May. We generally add it as a stop between Tarangire and Ngorongoro, pointing travellers in the direction &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.