Lake ManyaraLake Manyara is a beautiful National Park with its placid soda waters frequented by flamingoes, in the shadow of the impressive escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. This is a picturesque safari destination, with a diverse landscape and varied resident game. The park is usually visited on the way into the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater, and should be viewed as a soft introduction to your safari. It is also the place to leave out of your Northern Circuit experience if time is short.
Little Lake Manyara NP sits between its more impressive, much grander neighbours, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a pretty place to stop as you pass from one to the other, with good elephant-viewing, and often an impressive shimmer of pink flamingoes. There is also a chance of finding Manyara's legendary ‘tree-climbing’ lions. We suggest a minimum of 2 nights to find them as they are most often found deep in the park. (It is worth mentioning that all lions can climb trees, the Serengeti and Tarangire have their share, but Manyara’s lions climb habitually - so are subsequently a lot better than their counterparts!)
There is just one route through the park, so there is little chance for exploring. In our view Manyara should be considered primarily a beautiful spot to take in the views of The Great Rift Valley. The wildlife here simply cannot compete with Ngorongoro or the Serengeti (or Tarangire for that matter), and therefore Manyara is usually included as a linking “taster” safari, rather than a destination in its own right. Lake Manyara: Accommodation choices
The famous Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only lodge inside the National Park itself and when it comes to sheer luxury, this place cannot be beaten – it is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful lodges. All of the other accommodation is on top of the Rift Valley escarpment, with stunning views over the park. Little Kirurumu has superb views and only 15 tented rooms, whereas the Serena is a large mainstream hotel that offers good, clean accommodation at a good price. Alternatively, nearby Karatu, on the border of the Ngorongoro Highlands, has some great value lodges that offer a higher standard of accommodation and a more personal approach to service; Gibbs Farm, Plantation lodge and Elewana’s ‘The Manor’ are the pick of the bunch.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Lake Manyara
Far away, the best lodge in the Lake Manyara National Park, this beautiful &Beyond property is located down in the south of the park, away from the crowded northern region.
Ngorongoro Highlands
Plantation Lodge is surrounded by the coffee plantations in the Ngorongoro Highlands giving its guests both the excitement of a safari In the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park and the luxury of an extremely comfortable lodge.
Ngorongoro Highlands
This is an old 1930’s coffee plantation in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Gibbs Farm is a remarkable hideaway between the National Parks and conservation areas with a surprisingly English country garden.
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