Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park may be small in size, but it is overflowing with natural wonders. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, this park packs an incredible diversity of habitats and wildlife into its 330 square kilometers.

The park is most famous for its tree-climbing lions - a rare behavior seen in very few places worldwide - and the spectacular sight of thousands of flamingos painting the alkaline lake shores pink. A drive through the lush groundwater forest feels like entering another world, with ancient mahogany trees draped in vines and troops of baboons and blue monkeys swinging through the canopy.

Ernest Hemingway once called it "the loveliest lake in Africa," and one visit will show you why. The park's dramatic scenery, from the rift wall to the soda lake, makes it a photographer's paradise.