Manyara is a region in Tanzania. It’s close to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, which makes it an ideal destination for visitors who would like to explore both ecosystems. There are many things to do in and around Manyara that will keep you occupied for days.
Here are seven of the most popular activities that people enjoy when they visit this beautiful part of the world:
1. Tanzanite Mining Experience at Merelani Mines
2. Explore Ngorongoro Crater
3. Trek Mount Hanang
4. Explore Tarangire National Park
5. Discover the Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings
6. Explore Lake Manyara National Park
7. Cultural Tour
To find out more, I’m going to share information in detail about the above-listed activities.
I’ll first share basic information to make you know more about Manyara. So, keep reading for the remaining part of this article.
Brief Background To Manyara
Manyara is one of the regions in Tanzania situated in the northern circuit. The region is bordered by Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Singida, Simiyu, Dodoma, and Morogoro.
The headquarters of the region is in Babati Town. The shape of the region itself is amazing as it’s figured “8”. The region’s economy is based on mining and tourism. Manyara takes its name from Lake Manyara, one of the major lakes in the Great Rift Valley.
Manyara is the only region that is bisected into two by the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania. It’s packed with exciting tourist spots including Tarangire, Lake Manyara national parks, and Mount Hanang. Also, Merelani Tanzanite mines are in Manyara. The most exciting native ethnic groups in Tanzania are in Manyara.
They include the Maasai, Hadzabe, Iraqw, Barbaig, and Ndorobo/Akea. So, if you are in Manyara, it’s highly recommended to spare time to explore this region.
Now let’s explore in detail what you can do in and around Manyara.
1. Tanzanite Mining Experience At Merelani Mines
There is only one place on earth where you can mine Tanzanite. This is Merelani hills in Tanzania. Tanzanite is a precious and very unusual gift by nature in a strictly limited amount.
It’s believed that Tanzanite is 1,000 times rarer than diamond. Visiting Tanzanite mining at Merelani mines will give you the chance to see these gems and learn about their history.
You will hear how the Tanzanite was first discovered, named, and mined. You will also learn how these beautiful blue-violet gemstones are cut, polished, and graded.
But, let me briefly share the history of Tanzanite.
It is believed that this gemstone first came into existence about 585 million years ago. It’s a time after the Merelani hills were set ablaze by a bolt of lightning. According to the Maasai tribesmen, the effect of the heat on the brown zoisite crystals brought about the blue color of the rare crystals.
In January 1967 Ndugu Jumanne Ngoma the young Maasai man noticed something unusual-blue, transparent gems at the low Merelani Hills. Over several hours, he collected some 5 kg of these natural wonders.
In the same January 1967, Ali Juuyawatu, another Maasai man, noticed a cluster of deep blue crystals on the ridge of Merelani Hills. The world-famous New York jewelers Tiffany and Co noticed these blue stones early.
They declared tanzanite as the most beautiful blue stone to be discovered in 2,000 years and named it Tanzanite. So, after you visit the mines, you can source a few certified pieces of Tanzania as souvenirs.
There are nice boutique stores. One of the best boutiques in the Tanzanite experience is in Arusha. The boutique is full of a stunning display of these precious stones. The gems are of different sizes and quality and so you find a big price range to suit your budget.
Are you worried about how to transport them after you buy them? Do not be as they can ship any item you bought. Sourcing and buying Tanzanite from the source assures you of getting the best quality tanzanite at the best price.
2. Explore Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. It is 2,000 – foot – deep and 12 – miles – wide. It’s said that it was taller than Mount Kilimanjaro before it collapsed.
The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is perhaps one of the rare places on earth where you will find humans live alongside wildlife.
Ngorongoro crater is the home to more than 45,000 wildlife living peacefully inside the confines of the gigantic caldera. The wildlife has lived here for over three million years. Here you can easily spot the Big Five and rare black rhino.
The crater consists of the highest lion density in Africa. I can almost guarantee you and your beloved one to spot one of the three lions’ pride.
The crater is popularly known for its best scenic landscapes for photographic opportunities. You’ll be amazed to see Lake Magadi which is colored by flamingos.
Whether you’re taking a guided game walking or game drive, they’re all perfect here. Pass by the Ol Doinyo Lengai ‘the Mountain of God’ through the Great Rift Valley walls.
Then, your guide will lead to a cool swim in waterfall pools by the shores of Lake Natron. On the way, take a break at the nomadic Maasai villages. This is another place where you’ll be excited to witness a different kind of civilization.
And when you get there, you will be tempted to dress in traditional Maasai clothes. That traditional style of clothing is exceptional such that you can’t miss it when you get there.
You will be excited to see Maasai warriors making a fire while putting on performances and jumping in the air while singing with their majestic sounds.
Here you will have the chance to learn about the traditional dress, living conditions in the compounds, the spear, and the superior combat training of Maasai. Also, you will learn about their sense of living alongside the wildlife with their cattle, goats, and sheep.
Finally, soak the sunsets and relax from your lodge after the game activities. See beautiful plants, listen to the amazing sounds of birds, and breathe fresh air. Are you in Manyara and asking yourself what to do? Ngorongoro crater is worth exploring.
3. Trek Mount Hanang
Mount Hanang is the fourth-highest mountain in Tanzania. It’s located in Hanang District in Manyara and has an elevation of 3,448 m. The main path to the summit starts in the town of Kateshi.
The mountain is the home to leopards, klipspringer, velvet monkeys, olive baboons, and dik-dik. Also, you will spot a variety of bird species. More than 400 bird species are recorded here.
You will spend about 10 hours trekking to get to the top. But I recommend a two-day trek as this will give you more time to acclimatize and a great chance to reach the summit and give you more time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Also, you will have the chance to spend one night in a tented camp on the mountain and reach the summit on the second day. This tour is more fun and enjoyable because apart from hiking, you will also have the chance to see the Barbaig and the Iraqw people.
Seeing Barabaig women in goatskin skirts and men dressed in black cloth carrying spears is exciting.
4. Explore Tarangire National Park
I remember taking a safari to Tarangire, one of Africa’s most underrated parks in 2019. That safari still stands as one of the most unique experiences I have ever had in Tanzania.
The Park is located in Manyara and is part of the Northern Circuit of Tanzania. The Park is commonly known for its abundance of exceptional bird life species.
Over 550 bird species have been recorded within Tarangire National Park borders. The secret to the abundance of these birds is the presence of Silale Swamps.
This is the source of the abundance of these lovely bird species. These swamps provide a reliable source of water all over the year which allows these bird species to thrive.
Some birds are known to be endemic to Tanzania, they include the ashy starling and the yellow collared lovebird. You will enjoy game viewing in Tarangire national park.
I can almost guarantee you spot a massive herd of elephants in Tarangire. The Park has more elephants per square kilometer than any other park in Tanzania.
You will also have an exclusive game viewing opportunity of other wildlife. Here you will have the chance to see zebras, ostriches, and the dexterity of tree climbing lions. See the exciting sunrise and sunset over the Tarangire.
The good news about Tarangire is that it has some of the best monitoring systems put in place by the best rangers. This makes it very hard for poachers to encroach. The biggest advantage is that a one-day trip to this park will be more than enough for you to have an adventurous safari filled with some captivating views.
My journey to Tarangire has always been in my heart and I will never forget it too soon. I still can remember the delicious and freshly prepared cuisines I tasted when I was over at this amazing park.
You will be amazed by how the Tarangire river attracts wildlife from different surroundings to seek comfort along its riverbanks. This is a spectacular view especially during periods when the water holes have dried out in surrounding areas.
To avoid the crowds over at the Tarangire, I recommend that you stay in the southern parts of the reserve and get a much better experience.
So, if you are in Manyara and looking for what to do, a safari to Tarangire National Park is highly recommended.
5. Discover The Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings
Kondoa Irangi is home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of prehistoric rock art. The site is located between Singida and Irangi hills in Kondoa Irangi Village. It is about 130 km southwest of Manyara.
This historical site of human-made markings and paintings is the latest World Heritage site, the paintings are a series of ancient caves carved into the side of a hill looking out over the plain.
They were painted by local tribes using a mixture of animal fats, red tree sap, and ash. The boundaries of the site are marked by concrete posts.
You will see the caves containing some of the paintings which are said to date back more than 50,000 years. The specific number of rock art sites in this place is currently uncertain. Though it is believed to hold an estimated 1,600 pictures covering a span of 200 different sites.
So, you can even discover new ones of your own when you visit this place, you will see the figures that represent part of a living tradition of creation and use by two communities. They are Sandawe and Hadzabe in their simbo healing ceremonies, and by Maasai people in ritual feasting.
One of the paintings here is said to depict a human figure holding a stick and an elephant. Some paintings depict people playing musical instruments and crossing rivers.
Also, a humanoid figure is composed of concentric circles in the head and a continuous line from the head to the rest of the body. Other paintings depict giraffes, rhinoceros, and antelopes.
The most important and notable site you’ll see here is the Kisese II Rockshelter site, At Kisese II Rockshelter, you’ll find diverse paintings, beads, lithics, pottery, and other artifacts. It is a nice place you’ll learn about the major social transitions that were taking place during the late Pleistocene and Holocene eras.
From here, head to the Mungomi wa Kolo site where you will find fine-line red ochre drawings. These drawings portray various people and animals.
This rock art is the common heritage of humanity. The sites are still used by local communities in their ritual activities like rainmaking and traditional healing rituals.
From the paintings, you can head to chill at the nearby hot spring. This hot spring provides drinking for many inhabitants in the area.
I suggest you take a local guide who will explain everything to you including the “the Battle of Kondoa Irangi”. This was a battle of the East African Campaign of WWI.
6. Explore Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is one of the smaller parks in Tanzania but offers a nice landscape. The Park supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world.
This Park is what was once described by Ernest Hemingway as “The Loveliest I have seen in Africa”.
If you love bird watching, this park is perfect for you. More than 400 bird species are hosted here. No doubt that you’ll spot a lot of them. Some of the birds you can see are flamingos, blacksmith plovers, herons, and little egrets.
I can almost guarantee that you expect to see elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes. Large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and buffaloes like to gather on the open flood plain from where they graze to watch out for predators.
Also, if you get lucky, you can spot leopards. This Park is home to a large population of leopards, but sightings are rare because the vegetation is thick.
Lake Manyara National Park is commonly known for its “tree climbing” lions. Most travelers visit this park to see these iconic predators lounging in the trees.
You can encounter troops of up to 150 olive baboons playing in the forest. Also, hippos and bushbucks are easily spotted here, whether you do game driving, canoe safari, cultural tour, mountain biking, abseiling, or forest walk, this park is highly recommended.
Then, after you are tired of the pack, head to the hot spring called Maji Moto. It is a natural spring surrounded by palm and fig trees. Maji Moto is a perfect place to swim and have a picnic lunch.
So, exploring Lake Manyara National Park when you are in Manyara is something you can not miss.
7. Cultural Tour
A cultural tour is an exciting activity that every traveler would want not to miss in Manyara.
You will find a heritage cultural center that has been established with the assistance of Norwegians. It is located at Hydom in the Mbulu District.
The center features traditional houses, a museum having traditional arts and crafts. All the arts and crafts you will find here belong to the nearby distinctive indigenous traditional groups. The native groups are Iraqw, Datoga, and Nyaturu/Nyisanzu.
Every year, these groups conduct a cultural festival. Attending the festival will give you the chance to see their traditional Ngoma, games, barbeque, and presentation, Other traditional groups that you must explore are the Hadzabe, Ndorobo, Barbaig, and Maasai.
You will find the Hadzabe/ Hadza in Mbulu and around Lake Eyasi in the central Great Rift Valley. They are also found in the neighboring Serengeti Plateau, northern Tanzania.
This tribe is worth exploring as it is one of the only two remaining full hunter-gatherers in Africa. The other tribe is Ndorobo which is also found in Manyara.
The Hadza are estimated to be below 1000 in total. Some 300 to 400 live as hunter-gatherers like their ancestors who did so thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago.
Then, you can explore the Ndorobo tribe. It’s a small group of hunter-gatherers largely found in Kiteto and a few in Simanjiro. You’ll be thrilled to see most of them in Baobab tree caves for they have no permanent homes.
Expect to see only a few small huts resembling those of the Maasai. They are for some of the Ndorobo who are more advanced. Don’t leave Manyara without exploring the unchanged and unspoiled Barabaig tribe.
This tribe has afforded to maintain their traditional culture. You can mix freely with them living in the Man’gati plains, largely known as the Man’gati. You will see women in traditional goatskin dresses and men in black clothes holding spears.
No traveler would miss out to explore the Maasai tribe, neither would you. The Maasai are Nilotic groups in East Africa who came through South Sudan.
They speak the Nilo-Saharan language. You will find them in Babati, Simanjiro, and Kiteto districts. The Maasai are pastoralists and are famed for their terrifying statuses as warriors and cattle-rustlers.
Your cultural tour to the Maasai tribe will give you the chance to explore their customs and practices. Their customs and practices include an age-set system of sacral organization.
Conclusion
You’ll find more things to do in or around Manyara. But the best ones must come first on your list. So, that is the reason why I have just shared the most exciting and fun ones.
Your stay in Manyara will be more exciting and fun if you at least explore some of the activities I have shared. So, I would recommend that you combine and explore activities of your interest based on the nature of your trip.