Lake Manyara: GPS trails, Geotagged photos and more….

Grey Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum
Grey Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum

Lake Manyara was our first game drive destination on our 9 day travails through Tanzania. After landing at Nairobi we traveled for nearly 7 hours before we could reach here. Even though we were very tired the abundance of birdlife and wildlife made up for everything.

Lake Manyara Park facts

Located in northern Tanzania the park is spread over 330 sqkm of which 200 sq km is an alkaline / soda lake. The land area of the park is a narrow 50 km long strip of land with the Great Rift Valley to the West and Lake Manyara to the East. From the entrance gate the land begins as a lush ground water forest but it soon opens out to expanse of the the grassy flood plains. The trail of Lake Manyara National Park is effectively a loop that can be traversed within a couple of hours that may be stretched to a few more at best, if driving slowly, to watch, observe and enjoy the diversity of flora and fauna. There are about 300 species of birds recorded here

Our GPS Trail in Manyara
Our GPS Trail in Manyara

We spent a few hours in the evening of the first day and then the next morning – the mammal targeted was the Hippo, however it refused to oblige us and stayed firmly put in the water. I did manage to get some birds here. Since most of the birds were new to us photographing even the commonest was exciting! This was for the first time I saw a Pelican perched so high up in the tree, but then I am told that they do… What I dismissed very stupidly as Painted Storks were in fact Yellow-billed Storks, am glad I took those pictures.

Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippopotamus amphibius
Hamerkop - Scopus umbretta [Explored]
Hamerkop - Scopus umbretta
Hamerkop - Scopus umbrettas [Explored]
Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus
Yellow-billed Stork - Mycteria ibis
Yellow-billed Stork - Mycteria ibis
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill - Bycanistes brevis
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill - Bycanistes brevis
Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris
Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris
Spur-winged Lapwing - Vanellus spinosus
Spur-winged Lapwing - Vanellus spinosus
Spur-winged Lapwing - Vanellus spinosus
Vervet Monkey
Southern Ground-hornbill / cafer - Bucorvus leadbeateri
Southern Ground-hornbill / cafer - Bucorvus leadbeateri
Little Bee-eater - Merops pusillus
Little Bee-eater - Merops pusillus
Grey-headed Kingfisher - Halcyon leucocephala
Grey-headed Kingfisher - Halcyon leucocephala
Three-banded Sandplover - Charadrius tricollaris
Three-banded Sandplover - Charadrius tricollaris
Three-banded Sandplover - Charadrius tricollaris
Three-banded Sandplover - Charadrius tricollaris
Grey Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum
Grey Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum
Black-winged Red Bishop
Black-winged Red Bishop
African Harrier Hawk
African Harrier Hawk
First Zebra shot!!
First Zebra shot!!
Common Dwarf Mongoose - Helogale parvula
Common Dwarf Mongoose - Helogale parvula
Common Dwarf Mongoose - Helogale parvula
Common Dwarf Mongoose - Helogale parvula
Kirk's Dik-dik - Madoqua kirkii
Kirk's Dik-dik - Madoqua kirkii

P.S You may also want to read Swati’s account and see the pictures she took https://swatisani.net/blog/2010/05/25/lake-manyara-national-park-tanzania/

  • beautiful pics! did you also see lions in trees, lake manyara is also unique in that respect, at least that was the case in 1965, when I was there. My mom has some nice pics pasted in an album.

    good travails. willem

    • tariquesani

      Thanks for your comment. Yes we did see Lions in trees at several places in Serengeti but not in Manyara,

  • Vishnu

    Hi..Im Vishnu…we dont know each other…i’veseen ur photgraphy…now im a big fan of your photography…I work in Dubai for an American drilling company…photography is my hobby..i’ve been photographing since 1year..im a wildlife and nature lover too…i would like to be one in your friends list..and interested to learn more about wildlife and photography.!!! You really inspired me.!! Im really lucky and very nice to meet you..pls reply to my above mentioned email address..
    Thanks & Regards
    Vishnu.

  • Vishnu

    Hi..thanks..but Flickr is blocked here in UAE..i found you on facebook..but couldnt send a friend request..could you pls send me a friend request on facebook..Thanks..
    Vishnu.