Lake Manyara National Park is a narrow strip of land between the wall of the Gregory Rift and the western shore of Lake Manyara, about 126 km from Arusha. It was a game reserve from 1957 and became a national park in 1960; the park covers 648 km², of which roughly 230 km² is lake surface, and it forms part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve declared in 1981. Springs at the base of the escarpment feed a groundwater forest of fig and mahogany just inside the gate, home to blue monkeys, baboon troops and elephants. Beyond it the ground opens into acacia woodland and grassy floodplain, where the park's lions are known for resting in trees. Around 390 bird species have been recorded, and flamingos gather on the lake in large numbers when conditions suit. Most visitors spend a half or full day here between Tarangire and Ngorongoro. A treetop walkway, night game drives and canoeing on the lake add to the standard circuit.
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