Hemingway described Lake Manyara as, ‘the loveliest I had seen in Africa’. Its lush forests are alive with skipping blue monkeys and the joyous honking of hornbills. Below the forest, picturesque plains stretch to the lakeshore and its clouds of flamingo. Inland from the plains is a narrow belt of acacia woodland, home to tree-climbing lions and those graceful giants, African elephant. Clans of banded mongoose add an endearingly comical touch to the woodland panorama.

Manyara is a birder’s delight thanks to the combination of wetlands, woodlands and hot springs. Birds flourish here with over 400 recorded species. While the thousands of flamingos put on the most ostentatious show, the lake is a haven for many large, migratory water birds, including pelicans and storks.

Your home is the utterly enchanting Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, which offers daily game viewing expeditions led by expert guides. Fascinating night drives provide an insight into the park’s rich nocturnal life, and the chance to spot elusive creatures like aardvark and bat-eared foxes.