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Although Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of
only 318sq km (123sq miles), its terrain is so diverse
that its mammal and bird lists are most impressive. The
Park includes the northern and most of the western parts
of the lake and its shores with a westward expansion to
the top of the Rift Valley wall where Lake Manyara Lodge
is sited. Large areas of ground-water forest with giant
fig and mahogany trees alternate with acacia woodland
and more open places, all well watered. A network of
roads and tracks gives the visitor maximum game and bird
viewing opportunities. The tree-climbing Lions of
Manyara-like the tree-climbing Lions of Ishasha in the
Ruwenzori National Park, Uganda-are famous for this
feature of lion behavior, which may also be observed in
Ngorongoro and Serengeti. In Manyara it is probably due
to a combination of the need to avoid dense undergrowth
and a search for cool shade. Probably the lions have
also found that in an arboreal resting place the torment
of biting flies is less.
 In the
Ruwenzori National Park a different explanation must be
sought: there the lions apparently climb trees as
vantage points in order to see over the tall grass.
Numbers
of Elephant are resident in the Park. Buffalo are common
and herds of 300-400 have been recorded. Black
Rhinoceros are very uncommon. Leopards occur in most
places and it is not unusual to come across them in the
early morning or late evening: like the lions, they may
be seen resting in trees.
Manyara
is noted for its wealth of birdlife. At times the lake
is visited by many thousands of Lesser Flamingos,
together with a sprinkling of the larger species. Maccoa
Ducks and White-backed Ducks are resident, and the
beautiful little Pygmy Goose is sometimes observed. The
Chestnut-banded Sand Plover, a bird with a very
restricted distribution in East Africa, is found on
mudflats and sandy areas. Over 30 different birds of
prey have been recorded in the Park, including the
Palm-nut Vulture and Ayres’ and Crowned Hawk Eagles.
Lake
Manyara National Park is 107km (67 miles) south-west of
Arusha via the Great North Road; at Nakuyuni a right
turn leads after 40km (25 miles) to the village of
Mto-wa-Mbu: the Park entrance is a little over a mile
past the village. Accommodation is available at the Lake
Manyara Hotel, sited on the top of the Rift Wall with
spectacular views over the lake. Official camping sites
are available near the Park boundary. |
