...the name of the plant Euphorbia tirucalli which the
Masaai plant as a living stockade to keep their cattle from straying.
From the entrance gate, the road winds through an expanse of lush jungle-like groundwater forest where hundred-strong baboon troops lounge along the roadside with their young, blue monkeys scamper between the ancient mahogany trees and outsized forest hornbills wander around in the high canopy. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains, as do giraffe, some

so dark in coloration that they appear to be black from a distance. Over
380 species of birds, some migratory, have been recorded including many thousands of sugar-pink
Lesser Flamingos, significant numbers of
Greater Flamingos and a host of other woodland, plains and water birds. Lake Manyara's lush green forests are also one of the best places to see leopards.
Lake Manyara is adjacent to the colourful market town of
Mto wa Mbu, “River of Mosquitoes”, where several tribes converge to form a linguistic mix that is the richest in Africa. The vendors, as in most parts of Tanzania where tourism has taken its stand, can be a little persistant at times but a walk through the village and a “serengeti” bear drank in the shade of a banana tree can make for a pleasant and restful afternoon.