Wildlife in Lake Manyara you need to see

Africa is naturally filled with some of the most beautiful safari spots in the world. But how many safaris boast a massive glittering lake in the middle? A lake which is as blue as the sky but often dotted with pink feathers and black and white stripes and brown spots. This is Lake Manyara, a national park in Tanzania, and if it’s not already on your bucket list it absolutely should be! 

You can visit Lake Manyara National Park with Contiki on our Tanzania Safari and Kenya and Tanzania Safari trips. To give you a sneak peek, we’ve detailed some of the wildlife you’ll be able to spot and entice you to go there asap.

Where is Lake Manyara?

Lake Manyara is in Tanzania, located within Lake Manyara National Park, at the base of the Rift Valley. Safaris in Lake Manyara will not only give you plenty of wildlife sightings, but also some pretty jaw-dropping natural views. 

The main feature of the national park is, of course, the lake. It’s an alkaline lake which stretches for about 50km and it acts as a watering hole and big community hub for the local animals! 

What animals can I see in Lake Manyara?

1. Flamingos

With Lake Manyara’s main feature being – you guessed it – the lake, it’s no surprise that it’s home to a whole flock of beautiful bright pink flamingos! Standing on one leg in a cloud of vivid colours you’ll spot greater and lesser flamingos feeding on the algae and brine shrimp that populate the lake’s alkaline waters. 

2. Lions

But not just any lions – tree climbing lions! This is unusual behavior for the big cat which, unlike leopards and tigers, usually stick to the ground. It’s not exactly known why these lions climb trees, though possible reasons involve avoiding particular insects and pests, getting out of the sun, or getting a vantage point on their prey. 

So, if you’re looking for lions, tilt your binoculars skywards.

3. Elephants

You can spot elephants all over Africa. They’re the beloved gentle giants of the continent and no safari is complete without them. But, did you know that Lake Manyara is home to one of the highest concentrations of elephants? You can observe them in their natural habitat across woodlands and grasslands, grazing and playing and just generally being quite regal.

4. Hippos

If you want to see wildlife in Lake Manyara, you must safari on over to the hippo pool! It’s a popular attraction in the park where visitors can spot these huge animals lazing about in the sun, soaking up the water and the mud (for the best skin care routine) and just living their best hippo lives, honestly. In my opinion, hippos are an underrated safari animal, so this is a golden opportunity.

5. Baboons

Lake Manyara is home to one of the largest concentrations of baboons! If you’re a fan of the primate family, then you’re going to love your trip here. You’ll want to be careful though as baboons seem to be a fan of us too. They’re highly inquisitive creatures and very friendly, though if you let your guard down you’ll find that your afternoon snacks may have gone missing…

6. Buffalo

Water buffalo, or simply buffalo, are a common animal in Lake Manyara and you can spot them all over the place. They’re like cows, but with cooler horns. They sort of slope over their brows before curling upwards at either end, and their big ears are adorable. Floppy and alert, like a puppy. So, basically, buffalos are like the puppies of Lake Manyara National Park.

7. Impalas

Now impalas aren’t an animal you see every safari – or every day. But this national park is home to them! They’re sort of like gazelles, except their horns are much longer and they spiral into the sky. Beautiful and sleek faces, you might feel like you’re being judged on a game drive by the beauty queens of the animal kingdom. 

8. Warthogs

Hands up if Pumba is your favourite Lion King character! For those who don’t know, Pumba is in fact a warthog, and you can spot his real life counterparts in Lake Manyara. They’re usually found grazing in the acacia woodlands or around the water, having a sip during the hot days. Although they aren’t actually bright red, they’re still fun and lively creatures.

9. Wildebeest

Although this is not the primary location for the Great Migration of wildebeest (that would be the Serengeti National Park), you can still see herds of these impressive animals on your Tanzania safari. These guys roam in herds like zebras and are actually often seen together, giving you the perfect double creature feature!

10. Leopards

Elusive and sneaky, Lake Manyara has a healthy population of leopards which share the hunting grounds with the pride of lions. Much like the lions, if you want to spot them on your game drive, you’ll want to look upwards as these guys like to lounge in trees, letting their big paws dangle. Nocturnal game drives will give you a better chance of seeing them in action.

When is the best time to visit Lake Manyara to see the Big 5?

For the best chance of spotting the big 5 on your Lake Manyara safari week, you’ll want to travel between June and October. These months mark the country’s dry season, making the weather warm and sunny. This draws the animals out towards the lake for some refreshment throughout the day – so as long as you plant yourself in the brush there, you’ll be able to spot all kinds of wildlife! Vegetation is also thinner during this time of year, giving you better visibility of those clever camoed animals.

Bird watching in Lake Manyara

On top of all the gorgeous and majestic mammals that roam the savannah in Lake Manyara, the national park is also home to over 400 bird species! It’s one of the best bird watching spots in the world, actually, and is renowned as such. The most popular and obvious feature is the population of flamingos which drift in a puff of pink together.

The best time to go bird watching in Lake Manyara is between November and April as this is when many migratory birds from Europe and around Africa arrive, filling the park with even brighter and more vivid colours.