Tree Climbing Lions in Lake Manyara National Park

Tree Climbing Lions in Lake Manyara National Park: Tree-climbing lions are a distinctive attraction for tourists on safari in Lake Manyara National Park, situated in northern Tanzania, southwest of Arusha.

Tourists must pay entrance fees to access Lake Manyara National Park to observe the tree-climbing lions and other wildlife species. The fee is 53 USD for foreign non-residents, while East Africans pay in Tanzanian shillings (TSH).

Tree-climbing lions are also found in several other sites globally, including the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda.

A notable feature of the tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park is the ability to remain in the branches of trees, such as acacia, sausage, and desert date trees, particularly during daylight hours.

Numerous inquiries have been made into the reasons lions climb trees, with one explanation being that they do so to evade insect bites. Lions are also said to climb trees to seek sanctuary from charging elephants and buffaloes.

In periods of extreme daytime heat, the lions in Lake Manyara National Park also ascend trees. Tree-climbing lions are said to climb trees to survey their prey grazing on the savannah plains.

Lake Manyara National Park is a year-round wildlife viewing attraction, featuring not just tree-climbing lions but also a variety of other animals, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles, baboons, klipspringers, and impalas.

Various activities occur in Lake Manyara National Park, where tree-climbing lions can be observed, including the following:

Game Drive

Tourists at Lake Manyara National Park participate in game drives scheduled at various times, including morning, afternoon, evening, night, and full-day excursions.

Morning game drives entail traversing the savannah plains of Lake Manyara National Park at dawn to observe wildlife species that are particularly active during this period, facilitating their visibility as they graze and roam inside the park.

Tourists visiting Lake Manyara National Park can partake in an afternoon or evening game drive on their safaris. Afternoon wildlife encounters are infrequent, since species tend to seek refuge in concealed areas, rendering them difficult to see.

Visitors may partake in midnight game drives in Lake Manyara National Park, where they can observe nocturnal wildlife species. This exercise occurs alongside a ranger guide who imparts knowledge regarding various wildlife species. Photography occurs during nocturnal game drives.

Full-day game drives occur in Lake Manyara National Park, encompassing both morning and afternoon excursions. These drives involve traversing the park throughout the day in pursuit of diverse wildlife species, including elephants, tree-climbing lions, buffalo, hippos, baboons, antelopes, giraffes, gazelles, impalas, hyenas, and various bird species.

Wildlife observation is optimal during the dry season, specifically from June to October, when animal species are more readily seen.

Nature excursions

Tourists participate in nature hikes while observing wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park. The nature walks entail traversing the national park’s wilderness on foot along various pathways, including the treetop walkway and the Majimoto walkway.

The treetop walkway consists of traversing a bridge into the forest, where monkeys and various bird species can be observed on nature hikes in Lake Manyara National Park.

Bird watching

Birdwatching is an activity conducted in Lake Manyara National Park, particularly in the forested areas and surrounding Lake Manyara. A variety of avian species inhabit the beaches of Lake Manyara, including grey crowned cranes, flamingos, rufous-tailed weavers, ashy starlings, black-collared lovebirds, crowned plovers, and black-faced sand grouse, among others.

This exercise is optimally conducted from November to July.

Canoeing excursions

Tourists in Lake Manyara National Park partake in canoe trips on Lake Manyara, where they appreciate the picturesque vistas of the surrounding national park, including the rift valley escarpment.

Nature walks

Tourists participate in cultural excursions on safaris to Lake Manyara National Park. These trips entail encounters between tourists and the local Maasai community.

During these cultural excursions, travelers participate in activities such as traditional dance displays, where Maasai warriors leap in accordance with the rhythm of cultural songs being sung. Traditional Maasai homesteads, referred to as “manyattas,” are also included on cultural excursions.

Another activity involves travelers engaging with the Maasai people to learn about their lifestyle, which includes observing local art and crafts, such as beaded jewelry—necklaces, earrings, and anklets—as well as sandals and belts.

Additional attractions observable in Lake Manyara National Park, aside from tree-climbing lions, include the following:

Lake Manyara is a prominent feature at this destination, encompassing a significant portion of the national park and serving as an excellent bird watching site, where numerous birds may be observed along its borders.
Lake Manyara National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife species, including elephant herds, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles, zebras, baboons, hippos, buffalo, and impalas, among others.
Following wildlife viewing experiences in Lake Manyara National Park, where travelers observe tree-climbing lions and various other species, numerous lodging options are available nearby, encompassing luxury, midrange, and budget accommodations.