Area: North Central Tanzania
The park covers 330 km2, of which the lake occupies 220 km2 when the water level is higher.
During the time of precipitation, these rains fall into the Ngorongoro highlands, seeping to the foot of the Rift fault, where the park is located, and accumulates in the subsoil of the forest, so Manyara remains as an oasis of greenery attracting large herds of animals that come during the dry season.
In the meadows with sweeping views and blue volcanic peaks that rise above the Masai steppes, large herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and giraffes are concentrated.
In the center of the plains are the acacia forests, where elephants , tree-climbing lions, mongooses and other small mammals inhabit. Also, Manyara is a good place for birds in the country, with over 400 species, including flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and storks. Compared to other lakes in the Rift, Manyara is not as hostile, hosting large populations of catfish, hippos and large flocks of flamingos and storks during most of the year.
The best times to visit Manyara are the dry season to observe large mammals, and the rainy season for bird watching, canoeing and visit the waterfalls.
