Lake Manyara National Park is situated in northern Tanzania and the entrance gate is about 126 km west of Arusha. The park covers an area of 330 sq. km, up to 200 of which are taken up by the lake when the water level is high.

Lake Manyara has no outflows and is fed by underground springs and several permanent rivers. It was formed as the result of a depression in the rift valley system. Residents suggest this lake was a hotspot for sport hunting around the 1920s before becoming part of the national park in 1960.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The park’s lions tend to climb trees far more often than those in the Serengeti National Park or Tarangire National Park. This phenomenon has baffled scientists, and seeing tree climbing lions on a game drive is an unforgettable experience. I’ll tell you some of the secrets I learned in my years of experience, and share some of the reasons why they do this.