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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 

Things to do in Tanzania

See tree-climbing lions and 400 species of birds at Lake Manyara

Bring your binoculars for the best bird-spotting opportunities and a chance to see rare tree-climbing lions …

By Helen Austin
Purchasing Manager for Alfred&

If you love birds, don’t miss Lake Manyara. Christened ‘the loveliest lake in Africa’ by Ernest Hemingway, it attracts a colourful mix of birds from over 400 species. Bring your binoculars and head out on an early-morning safari for the best bird-spotting opportunities. Look out for everything from pelicans and herons to hornbills, egrets and yellow-billed storks. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of crowned eagles soaring through the sky. For most, elegant flamingos are the highlight, usually seen between November and April when they come to breed.

Although the lake covers a third of Manyara’s national park, there’s plenty more to see in its diverse ecosystems. Explore woodlands filled with elephants, olive baboons and blue monkeys, then venture into the open grasslands where antelopes graze, stalked by big cats. No doubt your safari guide will be looking out for Manyara’s tree-climbing lions – spotting one is a rare treat. Along the way, marvel at views of the hippo-spotted lake as sunshine glints off the water against a backdrop of Great Rift Valley peaks.

Relax in hilltop lodges that offer supreme lake views, best enjoyed with cold sundowners. Many will offer cultural excursions to local villages belonging to tribes like the Makonde, who are known for their intricate wooden carvings, and the famous Maasai. One of the most fascinating places to visit is Mto wa Mbu , a thriving market town just north of Lake Manyara. Take a tour on foot or by tuk tuk of this enterprising hub, which is home to members of over 120 different ethnic groups. Wander the market where stalls are piled high with produce, harvested from Manyara’s fertile soils.

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Alfred & Helen Austin

Helen was fascinated by travel from an early age, avidly watching holiday programmes and dreaming of future travel plans. Fantasy became reality when she joined Kuoni just over 20 years ago, and she has continued to explore ever since. She fell in love with Africa on her first safari experience in Zambia, watching an elephant herd meander across a dusty track as the sun set dramatically. Subsequent trips to South Africa, Namibia, and Kenya have further fuelled her passion for the wildlife, diverse cultures, and beautiful landscapes of her favourite continent.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Gemma, who's travelled extensively in Tanzania. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it on their own. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the rangers who'll ensure you'll spot the best wildlife, the village chiefs who'll give you a genuine insight into local life and the camp managers who can recommend the very best spot to enjoy your sundowner.

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