This wonderfully scenic park, located on the road from Arusha to Ngorongoro, is set between the Great Rift Valley and the sodiforous lake, so hence is often visited en route to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Although the concentration of wildlife is less impressive than some of Tanzania’s other parks, it is known for its famous tree-climbing lions, habituated baboons and large elephant populations. 

With a total area of just 330 square kilometres, the area of the park is compact, but a proportion of the land mass is occupied by the lake itself. The views from the top of the escarpment that extend for miles out toward the lake are undoubtedly stunning, and if visiting the park en route to other areas it is certainly a great place to begin your venture and sets a superb precedent for the rest of your trip.