Located at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is a compact gem of extraordinary variety. From lush forest to soda-lake shores, from tree-climbing lions to flamingos that blush pink on the lakeside, every minute here freezes into a striking snapshot of nature. The alkaline waters of the lake draw countless birds, making it a magnet for bird-watchers and nature lovers alike. Over 400 bird species flit among the branches of broad acacias as mammals drink at the lake’s edge. Game-drives wind through forested gullies, open grasslands and along the shimmering lake surface, showcasing how a small park can encapsulate the richness of Tanzania’s bigger wildernesses. Stay until sunset to see the flamingos turning the lake pink and the elephants jack-knifing between the forest and flood plains — a moment of pure African tranquillity.