Even today the lake level varies considerably, in dry years it is possible to drive across and in wet years the water level has even covered the road. If the lake is quite close to the road you will probably notice the alkaline smell of the soil and will see the deposits of soda forming a crisp crust where it has partly dried.

Although fishing in the lake is illegal within the Park boundaries, it is done by the local people on the remainder of the lake. Both catfish and bream (Tilapia) are present and like all the large Rift Valley lakes, Manyara has its own species of bream.

Reedbuck are often seen in small groups by the lake shore and might be confused with impala. The Bohor reedbuck can be identified by its uniform sandy-red color and a very bushy tail with a white"flag". The males have short forward curving horns. Reedbuck are difficult to see when they are lying down in a patch of tall grass or reeds, but if alarmed they will give a shrill whistle and run off with a typical rocking-horse gait.

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