The site encompasses Lake Manyara National Park, the part of the lake which falls outside the park and the Marang Forest Reserve on the escarpment above the park. Lake Manyara is 40 km long by 13 km wide and is oriented almost north - south along the western margin of the Eastern Rift, some 85 km south of Lake Natron. The escarpment rises 900 m above the level of the lake leaving narrow western shore of Acacia - Commiphora woodland with sizeable stands of forest groundwater.

The lake is generally saline (pH levels vary with rainfall) with areas of fresher water where perennial streams flow into the lake. The largest of these is the Simba River which drains from the Ngorongoro Highlands to the north-west and the Makayuni River which flows in from the east. There are extensive swamps in the north and smaller ones elsewhere associated with the minor rivers flowing off the escarpment. On the escarpment, the Marang forest is composed of montane vegetation dominated by Oleacapensis, Albiziagummifera, Podocarpuslatifolius and Macaranga sp.

More than 400 species have been recorded here and you can reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. A big number of water-associated birds, including pink-backed pelicans, are easily seen around the hippo pool. When the water level is right, the lake is also home to thousands of pink-hued flamingo. More than 50 birds-of-prey have been recorded including the crowned eagle. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Birding Specials here for Avid Birders include

Abdim's stork, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African hawk eagle, African jacana, African spoonbill, Baglafecht weaver, Comb duck, Crowned eagle, Great white pelican, Greater flamingo, Grey crowned crane, Hamerkop, Hottentot teal, Lesser flamingo, Little stint, Pied avocet, Pied kingfisher, Pink-backed pelican, Sacred ibis, Saddle-billed stork, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Southern ground hornbill, Spur-winged goose, Von der Decken's hornbill, Yellow-billed stork

The best bird watching in Manyara is from November to April, when you can spot the migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa. This is also the time many birds can be seen in their breeding plumage. For wildlife viewing, the Dry season (from June to October) is best.