Lake Manyara National Park, In this way, Ernest Hemingway gave his full blessing to this small but beautiful national park. Hemmingway may have been charmed by the blue lake, which sometimes takes up two-thirds of the park. Maybe it was the pink mass of flying birds that looked like thousands of flamingos set up by the water.Also, this area’s thick acacia forest is filled with blue monkeys and baboons, which gives the area a lovely and mysterious feel. Hemingway was clearly very interested in this park, but we’ll never know for sure what it was.

People don’t pay enough attention to Lake Manyara, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with a wide range of bright birds and sights you won’t see anywhere else, like the famous tree-climbing lions!

Even the landscapes around the park are bright and dramatic. On the western edge of the park, the Great Rift Valley Escarpment rises up in a beautiful way.

If you’re on your way to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, don’t miss this sweet little park with its unique bird, animal, and even butterfly sculptures.

Lions and baboons that are crazy

This is true: if you look up into the acacia trees, you might see one of Manyara’s famous tree-climbing cats. No one knows how these cats learned to climb trees, but they can be seen in the park’s trees.

You’ve also come to the right place if you want to see baboons. This reserve has Africa’s biggest group of these colorful animals living in the thick forest. A lot of noisy blue monkeys are jumping between the trees to keep them company.

There are also big elephant families living in these evergreen woods, and you might see them marching in a line through the trees. As you walk through the park, keep an eye out for animals that eat plants and grass, like gazelles, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, cows, and hippos.

Lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, the African wild cat, civets, and mongooses are just a few of the animals that watch out for them.

The Lake and The Birds That Live There

Even though there is a lot of wildlife above, the lake and its many colorful birds often seem to take over the area. Around the time it rains, the lake grows to cover two-thirds of the park. Many kinds of birds come to this alkaline body, but the thousands of bright pink flamingos that line its shores are the most noticeable.

The area is home to more than 400 different kinds of birds. It’s easy to see dozens, if not more, of them feeding in the shallow water of the lake, like pelicans, storks, herons, egrets, cormorants, and other waders.

Birds like horned bills, guinea fowl, and weavers can be seen in woods, even though the trees are very thick. Also, birds of prey like the palm-nut vulture and hawk-eagle can be found here.

Don’t Miss

The Treetop Walkway is Tanzania’s first nature trail. It starts at ground level and goes up a number of suspension bridges to the forest canopy, 18 m (60 ft) above. There, you’ll be able to see birds, butterflies, and sometimes baboons and monkeys. Don’t miss the beautiful views.

Walking Safari: You don’t have to stay in your car in many national parks, but not here. No need to bring your car to Manyara. You can walk through the lush habitats and get close to the land and the many animals that feed on it.

There are always new things to find at Manyara. While you’re having a picnic, check out the hot springs and beautiful hippo pools.