Two famous spectacles in lake Manyara National Park are the tree climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out along the branches of Acacia trees six to seven meters above the ground, and tree climbing pythons.
Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment the park is noted for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate they pass into the lush forest, home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys.
Further along the forest opens up into woodlands, grasslands, swamps and beyond, the soda lake itself, covering 390 sq km and sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo, pelican, storks, sacred ibis, cormorants and Egyptian geese. The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo and elephant. Also giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals.