GAME PARKS

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

This charming park is tiny by comparison with most of the others on a safari itinerary but its special qualities and abundant wildlife make it a most worthwhile visit. The park covers only 330 square kilometres of which 230 are the lake itself. The park lies under the wall of the great rift valley escarpment. The lake is quite shallow and can almost disappear in the dry season but there are permanent water sources which have produced a lush forest and a variety of imposing and interesting trees. This is not technically a rain forest but is very similar, dense and shady with numerous monkeys, birds and other forest life.

In the more open areas of acacia woodland the more typical selection of lions, elephant, buffalo, gazelle, giraffe etc. are to be found.

The park is famous for its supposedly unique tree climbing lions; but these are actually quite rarely spotted here, and lions can be seen in trees in other areas also. On the shores of the lake the wonderful birdlife selection can be viewed, Eagles, Pelican, Flamingo, Cranes, Storks, Hornbills, Egrets and numerous others can be seen, there is also a usually well- stocked hippo pool.