Tanzania, Lake Manyara: Africa in all shapes and colours

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Africa gets under your skin. It is so different and utterly beautiful and once you have been once you will never seize longing for this continent so different from the rest of the world. There are a million reasons why I love Africa. I shall spare you the 99 others but Lake Manyara is definitely one of them. This is the last park in Tanzania I will take you through on a short visit.

Lake Manyara is set against the steep escarpment of the Rift Valley. This beautiful area consists of evergreen groundwater forests and a variety of ecosystems including acacia woodland, grassy plains, a swampy fan delta, and the gigantic lake. Because it holds such a huge diversity, it attracts a wide variety of animals.




Birds in all shapes and colors
I was very amazed by the number of birds. Millions of flamingos chill on the water of Lake Manyara. My personal favorite was the flamingo. Both the bigger and the lesser flamingos (yes that is their names) are found here in thousands. These pink wading creatures are adorable to look at and you can stand on the shore of this lake and just stare into the pink vastness of birds for hours.

Flamingo comes from Portuguese or Spanish and means flame-colored. These Flamingos usually stand on one leg while the other is tucked beneath their body. No one really seems to know why or what this behavior is good for. Parking the car on the shore of Lake Manyara we just stood and observed these birds in their huge colony while our guide told us fun-facts about them. While watching them we learned that flamingos are very social birds. They often live in colonies with population-sizes in the thousands. These large colonies are believed to serve three purposes for the flamingos.



1. Avoiding predators,
2. Maximizing food intake,
3. Using suitable nesting sites more efficiently

Relationship while flamingos are known for forming strong bonds and stay monogamous.
Both parents contribute to building the nest, and to defending the nest and egg from predators and other dangers. And if you think parents means that you have a female and a male flamingo you are wrong. Occasional same-sex pairs have been reported in flamingos which seem widely accepted in the colony.

Once tiring of the flamingos turn your eyes away from the pinkness and if you love birds there are so many different species here. Just put on your goggles and your expensive camera and start snapping at the amazing birds in their natural habitat.



Mammals
The park also hosts larger animal and is home to huge families of monkeys that roam around the ground and trees. Have you ever seen baby monkeys? Here you will. In all sizes. Both attached to their mothers’ bellies, and for the first time encountering the Greenlands themselves. The park is home to blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and Olive baboon troops.
In terms of game-viewing, we mostly sawgrass eaters. The buffalo, impala, giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck, and families of hippos, chilling in the water and enjoying life, closely packed together.




Tanzania has breathtaking nature and parks you will remember forever. It is unique, beautiful and magnificent. You will create memories that will last a lifetime.


 


Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara




* All photos are private and taken by me.

Location: Lake Manyara, Tanzania

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