Lake Manyara National Park lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania. Despite being one of the smaller parks at 330 square kilometres, it is remarkably diverse — ranging from dense groundwater forest at the entrance to open grasslands, acacia woodland, and the alkaline lake itself.
The park is best known for its tree-climbing lions that rest in the branches of acacia trees, as well as massive flocks of flamingos that turn the lakeshore pink during the wet season. Manyara also supports large troops of baboons, hippos, and over 400 species of birds.
Ernest Hemingway once described Lake Manyara as “the loveliest lake in Africa.” The park is a popular stop on the northern safari circuit, often combined with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.