Most people think that the famous tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara have developed their climbing habit to get away from annoying insects. At&Beyond, we have our own theory – they’re jealous of our magnificent treehouse suites at&BeyondLake Manyara Tree Lodge!

Cradled in the boughs of an ancient mahogany forest, the lodge blends into the natural beauty of its breathtaking surroundings.

The only lodge in Lake Manyara National Park, it offers an exclusive wildlife experience with only ten luxurious yet i Hidden away high in the trees in a secluded corner of the national park, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge offers a sophisticated blend of natural indulgence and romance. Nestled in dense forest between the lakeshore and the steep Rift Valley escarpment, the lodge is perfectly positioned to explore the park’s wealth of habitats. Set in the remote southern region of the park, you would be surprised to see another vehicle on your game drive.

Each suite is a lofty tree house with private veranda and large windows that open up to the lush forest, welcoming in the sights and sounds of the African bush. Woodchip paths and natural branch railings blur the edges between the natural and the manmade, while wooden interiors and thatched roofs invite the surrounding forest indoors. Spacious bedrooms and sitting rooms float in a sea of green, opening up onto a leafy canopy. Even a soak in the large, free-standing tub offers a panoramic view, with an open air shower behind a simple bamboo screen.

The lodge pool beckons like a cool oasis in an ocean of shady green. Generous decks suspended above the forest floor open up to a wooded embrace. Split level sitting and dining rooms combine with high thatched ceilings to create a sense of space, while warm wood interiors and understated sofas carve out cosy corners. Tantalising aromas drift from the open, interactive kitchen, luring guests to watch as simple but delicious meals are prepared. The theatre of the open kitchen is translated into the drama of the dining boma, encircled by a tall fence of gnarled wood.

Created to protect its magnificent elephant herds, Manyara National Park is equally famous for the unusual behaviour of its tree-climbing lions as for the flocks of pink flamingos that inhabit the lake’s shores. Large numbers of buffalo, cheetah, leopard, Maasai giraffe and hippo can all the encountered. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 400 species, particularly waterfowl and migrants. In October, migrant species arrive at Manyara from as far as the Arctic.

The tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, which prefer resting in tree branches during the day rather than dozing on the ground, have become iconic of this incredible park. Another evocative image from the shores of Lake Manyara is the huge flocks of flamingo that feed in the shallows of the lakes during much of the year, often perched on one leg and with their heads inverted under the water as they feed on the algae that thrive in these saline waters.

Unlike the flamingos, hippo rarely venture too far out into the alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, preferring the stream-fed pools of fresh water along its shores. While these huge mammals spend most of the day in the water, after dark they emerge to feed on the floodplain.

The reserve is considered to have the highest density of the olive baboon anywhere in Africa, with troops of up to 200 members. The acacia dominated woodlands around Lake Manyara provide the perfect habitat for the Maasai giraffe.

With its ample water and luscious vegetation, Lake Manyara attracts an incredible amount of bird species. Perhaps the most elegant of these is the grey crowned crane, with its extravagant crown and long legs. One of the most spectacular sights in the birding world is the courtship dance, when groups of birds assemble before breeding season.