The Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint is a freestanding wooden platform that rises 8 feet above the ground and measures 56 feet long and 5 feet wide. It is approximately 8 kilometers from the main gate. Standing at the top of the observation platform provides a wonderful view of the marshes and its residents – ducks, hippo, buffalo, and wildebeest – while also providing the visitor with a great sense of security.
Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint is a must-visit destination for tourists looking to explore the beauty of the northern region of Tanzania. Located on the northern shores of Lake Manyara National Park, the viewpoint provides visitors with a raised wooden platform that offers a higher vantage point for viewing hippos in the vast swamp. It is one of the few areas in the park, aside from campsites, where visitors are allowed to alight from their vehicle. Standing about 6 feet above the ground, it also provides an excellent platform for viewing the walls of the rift valley as well as other animals that may be in the area.
What to Do There?
Hippo Viewing
Hippo viewing is the primary activity that visitors engage in when they visit the Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint. The hippo pool is home to a significant number of hippos, and visitors can watch them as they laze around in the water, grunting and snorting. The best time to view the hippos is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the hippos are more active.
Bird Watching
Lake Manyara is also home to over 400 bird species, making it a paradise for bird lovers. Visitors to the hippo pool viewpoint can spot a variety of bird species, including the Grey-headed Kingfisher, African Jacana, and the Pink-backed Pelican, among others.
Game Drives
Visitors to the Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint can also enjoy game drives, both during the day and at night. However, for the night game drives, visitors will need to have a ranger with them. Game drives offer visitors an opportunity to explore the vast expanse of Lake Manyara National Park, home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes, among others.
Best Time to Visit
One of the best things about the Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint is that visitors can enjoy it any time of the year. However, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. During this period, the water levels in the hippo pool are low, making it easier to spot the hippos.
Location of Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint
The Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint is located on the northern end of Lake Manyara, about a 10-minute drive south of the park’s main gate. The viewpoint sits in a vast swampy area that is formed by the mouth of the river that drains water from the groundwater forest.
How to Get There?
By Air
The easiest way to get to the Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint is by air. Visitors can fly into the Lake Manyara airstrip, which is nearby, from most regions of the country.
By Road
Visitors can also use a vehicle to get to the hippo pool viewpoint. To get there by road, visitors first need to get to Mto wa Mbu, which is the nearest town. There are passenger buses to the area from most regions, but the most convenient method would be using a private, rental, or tours vehicle.
FAQs
1. Is the Lake Manyara Hippo Pool Viewpoint open to the public?
Yes, the viewpoint is open to the public, and visitors can access it any time of the year.
2. What is the best time to visit the hippo pool?
The best time to visit the hippo pool is during the dry season, which runs from June to October.