Lake Manyara National Park

I'm basing this on my first visit to Manyara in 2012 because we inexplicably didn't see a single animal this year. The wildlife in Manyara doesn't seem as varied to me as it is in other national parks, but the elephant population is a joy. I also love all the trees, which Lake Manyara NP seems to have more of than any other national park out there. This makes it a lush, green space even during the dry season. It's fairly touristy, but not too much so.

Much wildlife was seen in this park as well as many birds. Not real crowded with other tourists.

We did not see any cats .. the least actractive parks of the northern circuit!! you can skip it but for the marvellous Hippo Pool

Limited wildlife but quite scenic

Wonderful piece of Tanzania. Must see!

During our safari, Lake Manyara NP was our 1st destination. We heard about lions on trees, thousands flamingos over the lake, but nobody told us that it contains wonderful landscapes! We were sad we cannot visit the lake from near, our guide said it is forbidden to go outside streets and go closer to the lake.
We were happy there weren't too many tourits around there, it was really quiet and peaceful.
Absolutely recommended!

Evocative sunset

We visited Lake Manyara National Park only in the afternoon because our plane was in late so we weren't able to visit all the park (organization of the guides is the most important requirement for this travels).
The park is very large and offer a good opportunity for the birdwatching. We were able to see storks, hornbills, flamingos, ibis, baboons, zebras, gnu, buffalo, hippos, gazelles, antelopes.
I know the park is a good place to see the leopards activity not only in the night but we unfortunately weren't able to see them. We visited the park until the sunset, the light is so warm and weak and all the photo we took have so nice colours. At the end of the day we covered the near hills so we could admire the Lake from the top of the hills...it is so long and suggestive.

A beautiful park but a bit difficult to find wildlife such as lions and elephants.

An amazing place to experience safari

With the Ngorogoro crater being the star attraction, it would be easy to overlook Lake Manyara for a safari. However, thankfully, we didn't and had an amazing time there.
We saw a wide range of wildlife such as Elephants, Babboons, Sea Eagles, Kingfishers as well as Flamingo's which the park is famous for.
The scenery in the park varies. When you enter, you travel through forest but once you reach the viewpoints over the lake, the land stretches on for miles over open plains.
We were there in August and the temperature was moderate (mid 20's) so pleasant enough without being unbearable.
The park is less crowded than Ngorogoro which means that it feels a little more personal.
If you only had one day to do a safari, would I pick Lake Manyara?.....well probably not because Ngorogoro is deservedly one of the most incredible places I've visited. However, don't overlook Manyara; you'll have a different but amazing time there too.

It's different if you compare it with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We have seen a lot of monkey's and less bigger animals. But a visit, oh yes it is worthwhile.

Lake Manyara is a beautiful place to stop by for a visit. It is located in a populated area so the feeling of wilderness and isolation is not there. It is however, a very beautiful destination and worth a visit.