Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is compact but remarkably varied for its size, combining groundwater forest, acacia woodland, and the alkaline Lake Manyara itself, all within a park you can comfortably explore in half a day. It is best known for its tree-climbing lions, an unusual behavior seen in only a handful of places in Africa.

The lake itself is a haven for birdlife, including large flocks of flamingos when water levels are right, along with pelicans, storks, and cormorants. Hippos are easily spotted in the lake's shallows, and the surrounding forest holds troops of baboon and blue monkey.

Best time to visit: Lake Manyara is a good year-round destination and works particularly well as a first or last stop on a Northern Circuit safari, given how easily it fits alongside Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, or the Serengeti.