
Lake Manyara is a shallow
freshwater lake in
Tanzania. Said by
Ernest Hemingway[1] to be the "loveliest [lake] ... in Africa," it is also the home of a diverse set of landscapes and wildlife.
The name "Manyara" comes from the
Maasai word emanyara, which is a
euphorbia species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead (
Euphorbia tirucalli).
Of the 127 square miles (329 km2) of Lake Manyara
National Park, the lake's alkaline waters cover approximately 89 square miles (231 km2). While most known for
baboons, the lake and its environs is also home to herbivores such as
hippos,
impalas,
elephants,
wildebeests,
buffalo,
warthogs and
giraffes. Giant
fig trees and
mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates draw nourishment from the underground
springs replenished continuously from crater highlands directly above the Manyara
basin. Leading away from the forest to the fringes of Lake Manyara are the flood plains. To the south are visible the
acacia woodlands.
Leopards, although in abundance, are hard to get a glimpse of, just like the other elusive carnivores - the
lions - of this park.
Nb.Tumaini cottage in Arusha Tanzania is the ideal accomodation during your stay in Arusha Tanzania.Karibu Tanzania
www.tumainicottage.comwww.tumainicottage.blogspot.comtumaini cottage on face book.