The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including leopard, buffalo, elephant and lion but no rhino. It is famous for its elusive tree-climbing lions which only here seem to enjoy spending time spread out among the branches of acacia trees. Also of special interest are the Maasai giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, hippo, slender mongoose, blue monkey, honey badger, porcupine, hyena, wildebeest, Coke's hartebeest and impala. The park features the highest density of baboons anywhere in Africa and troops can number up to 200 members.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the best place in Africa for birdwatchers. The park has nearly 400 species and the extraordinary diversity of birdlife draws birders from around the world. There are seven species of vulture, 12 species of eagle and five owl varieties, as well as an abundance of waterfowl.

It is possible to count 30 or more aquatic species from certain points at the water's edge, with Saddle-billed Stork, Lesser Flamingo, and Little Egret usually among them. For several months of the year, the still waters of the lake attract huge flocks of Greater and Lesser Flamingo. In and around the camp itself, you stand a good chance of seeing birds such as Peter's Twinspot, Pygmy Kingfisher, Abysinnian White-eye, Pangani Longclaw, Crowned Hornbill, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, dazzling Fischer's Lovebirds and pelicans. Family groups of Ground Hornbill are very much a feature at Manyara, with some nesting sites under regular observation by our resident guides.