Bird Watching in lake Manyara national park

Bird watching in Lake Manyara National region is an exhilarating activity that allows bird enthusiasts to discover the region while enjoying spectacular vistas of diverse and vibrant bird species. Lake Manyara National Park is a relatively small national park in Tanzania, situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment along the route to Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The park was established in 1960 and encompasses an area of 330 square kilometers, comprising Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake that constitutes two-thirds of the park’s surface area, savannah grasslands, acacia woodlands, and submerged forests. These diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, leopards, warthogs, and tree-climbing lions, which can be observed resting in acacia branches, as well as primates such as baboons and blue monkeys, along with numerous colorful bird species.

Bird watching safaris in Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park hosts over 400 documented bird species, including migratory birds from Europe and Northern Africa, endemic species exclusive to Tanzania, near-endemic species found in neighboring countries, and aquatic birds, establishing the park as a premier birdwatching destination in Tanzania.

The park features several birding habitats, including savannah grassland, acacia forest plains, and the shores of Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that encompasses two-thirds of the park’s entire surface area. Birding in Lake Manyara national park is best done early in the morning with an experienced birding guide who will take you to different birding areas where you will be able to spot bird species such as black heron, African fish eagle, African jacana, little bee-eater, baglafecht weaver, silvery cheeked hornbill, grey crowned crane, hamerkop, African spoonbill, lesser and greater flamingos, black faced sandgrouse, crowned plover, long tailed fiscal, pangani longclaw, narina trogon, emerald cuckoo, ground dwelling crested guinefowl, pied avocet, pink backed pelican, knob billed goose, spur winged goose, yellow billed stork, white pelican, open billed stork, marabou stork, saddle billed stork, abdims stork, black collared lovebird, great cormorant, grey headed heron, African darter, cattle egret, common squacco heron, goliath heron, sacred ibis, Egyptian goose, little stint, pied kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, fischers lovebird, red and yellow barbet, red collared widowbird, southern red bishop, martial eagle, bateleur eagle, roufous tailed weaver, ashy starling, verreaux eagle, augur buzzard, African hawk eagle, African fish eagle among others.

Best time for bird at Lake Manyara National Park

A birding safari in Lake Manyara National Park can occur year-round, although the optimal period is during the wet season from November to April, when bird enthusiasts can observe migratory species.

The wet season coincides with the nesting period of resident bird species, facilitating the observation of birds in their breeding plumage.

Essential items to carry for a birding trip in Lake Manyara National Park

When embarking on a birding safari, it is essential to have a field guide or bird book to identify the many bird species in the region. A quality field guide can be obtained from a local bookstore in Tanzania or through your travel organizer. You may download the bird guidebook to circumvent the necessity of transporting a cumbersome volume.

A camera will be utilized to photograph various bird species and document birds in flight during your birding safari.

A pair of binoculars will be utilized to observe little birds in flight or distant bird species.

Birdwatching in Lake Manyara National Park necessitates traversing many avian habitats, including groundwater forests, savannah grasslands, and acacia woodlands; thus, enthusiasts should use comfortable hiking shoes to ensure their feet remain dry.

A waterproof rain jacket is essential for birding safaris, which are optimally conducted during the wet season, since it will shield you from precipitation.

Insect repellent will safeguard your body from mosquito bites during your birding expedition in Lake Manyara National Park.

It is essential to carry a water bottle on your birding tour to maintain hydration, as birding entails traversing several locations.

A hat will shield your head from direct sunlight.

Backpack, designated for transporting your bird watching equipment, including a camera, binoculars, and supplementary batteries.