Lake Manyara often receives the hard sell - with promises of trees stuffed full of lions or elephants that are personal friends of Saba Douglas-Hamilton, but, while both of these are possible, it's actually somewhere that benefits much more from a quiet contemplative approach for which time, and a visit to the far south of the park is neccessary
Lake Manyara often receives the hard sell - with promises of trees stuffed full of lions or elephants that are personal friends of Saba Douglas-Hamilton, but, while both of these are possible, it's actually somewhere that benefits much more from a quiet contemplative approach for which time, and a visit to the far south of the park is neccessary.
Lake Manyara National Park is scenically stunning, dramatically located under the sheer wall of the Rift Valley escarpment, with good populations of game including lots of elephant, lion and buffalo to mention just some. Lying about 60 miles west of Arusha, just south of the Ngorongoro Highlands this is a thin strip of land sandwiched between the Rift wall and the lake itself.
Wonderfully diverse with evergreen forest, escarpment, acacia woodland and lake shore, the location of Lake Manyara, in particular the northern section, means it is perfectly placed for a short visit en route to or from the Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands or the Serengeti National Park. As somewhere you can see a large variety of mammal & bird species quickly and closely, its a good starting point for any northern safari - particularly for children, the very impatient or the short sighted.
Solitude is in short supply here until you get south and this could not be described as a wilderness experience, but thats not really the point of the place. With its cars, canoes & nightdrives its an easy playground for the many camps & lodges around its peripheries. Having said that, the farther south you roam the richer the experience often becomes but, with so much on offer in other parts of northern Tanzania, its all relative.
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Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
