&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge: Tanzania

Diversity of habitats: This unique park, flanked by the Rift Valley and soda lake has an incredible diversity of habitats. The nine rivers support a variety of wildlife and birdlife and extraordinary trees including baobabs, flamingos, lions and more.

Sunrises & Sunsets: The stunning lake creates a spectacular translucence, making sunrises and sunsets truly spectacular. With Manyara Tree lodge being the only lodge in the park, you can experience your very own private golden glow of sunset and watch the birds shimmer in multi-coloured shades as the sun goes down.

Tree Climbing Lions & More: The Park is famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions and the vast elephant families it was established to protect. The shores of the lake, encrusted with seasonal pink flamingo, attract more than 400 species of waterfowl and migrant birds.

Tree House Sleeping: Sophisticated treehouse suites are graced by the sounds of the forest. Each exclusive treehouse offers guests a private eye into the lush surroundings of the lodge. Immersed in rich foliage, slumber with the night sounds enveloping you.

Inclusive game drives from Lake Manyara Tree Lodge allows guests to explore areas of the park that cannot be reached by others visitors, meaning your drives are completely undisturbed by other tourists.

Each morning and afternoon, set off with your private guide and tracker in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. Here you will explore the diverse habitats of the park, stopping on the lakeshore to admire the different bird species and look for the elegant pink flamingo. Traversing a mosaic of acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains and tall forests in search of abundant wildlife, you will even get the chance to see the famed tree-climbing lions and large family herds of elephants.

Other sights include passing the 200+ Olive baboon troop, giraffe families, wildebeest, horned buffalo bulls, the elusive leopard and even the Cape clawless otter.

Despite being one of Tanzania’s smaller wilderness enclaves, Lake Manyara National Park is rich in game and boasts magnificent terrain. This fascinating environment allows you to be at one with nature, and fully appreciate the extraordinary wildlife of this fascinating country.

Lose yourself among the treetops on a treetop canopy tour. Stroll through the ancient mahogany forests of this magnificent national park, as you start on a short boardwalk that gradually rises from ground level to the forest canopy. Glide adventurously over a series of suspension bridges, flanked with thick netting for safety, and stop to marvel at viewing decks that blend into the massive tree trunks. Enjoy an intimate glimpse of life in the treetops, eye-to-eye with monkeys, birds and butterflies, and accompanied by your private guide. Spend an hour suspended up to 18 metres (59 feet) above the forest floor.

Boasting a magnificent bird’s eye view of the forest hopefully, you will be able to spot some gorgeous wildlife in the lush foliage. Massive grey elephants barrel their way through shrubs and trees and proud buffalo brush the forest floor. You are never far from the infinite Blue Monkeys that play, cavort and relish the opportunity to play catch, tag, and jump maniacally on the suspension bridges and, if given the chance, will go tandem with you on your canopy glide. Listen closely and you will hear a symphony of birds chattering and tweeting, especially the trumpeting Silvery-cheeked Hornbills that swoosh past.

photo cred: @&beyond

Bustling with a variety of cultures from around Tanzania, the little town of Mto Wa Mbu lies at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. A local agricultural hub, the town is famous for its crops of rice and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is known for. A half-day tour of the town in the company of a local guide allows travellers to interact with local farmers, as well as artisans, craftsmen and painters. A sampling of the local banana beer adds a unique taste of local flavour.

This cross-cultural melting pot is home to approximately 120 tribes. A bustling, thriving village, it is fascinating to hear the colourful blend of languages and witness first-hand the unique customs. Cultural diversity is seen in the various entrepreneurial ways including a farmer from Kigoma producing palm oil from palm trees that he purchased from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and the Rangi creating colourful, beautiful mats and baskets using papyrus from the lakes and rivers.

photo cred: @&beyond