One of Tanzania’s most underrated and smallest national parks, Lake Manyara is often omitted from travel itineraries in order to focus on the better known Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. Whilst the park is unlikely to be the pinnacle of your safari experience on the northern circuit, there are many reasons to visit, whether just for a day trip or a number of nights. Prolific wildlife include hippos, buffalos, giraffes, zebra, wildebeests, warthogs, elephants, baboons and blue monkeys, as well as the park’s famous leopard and tree climbing lions. There are also around 400 species of bird, with the flamingo on the lake being the most abundant and turning the lake bright pink at certain times of year due to their sheer abundance.

The flora and topography of Manyara is not only interesting, but also stunning, with diverse vegetation ranging from evergreen forest to savanna, marsh and of course a vast soda lake. Combined with the sheer and dramatic rift valley that rises on the western border, Manyara offers an interesting safari experience with outstanding scenery.