Tarangire national park is among the most visited national parks in Tanzania located in the northern safari circuit. Tanzania northern safari circuit this is where most of the game drives are done in Tanzania and it is composed Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara national park. Arusha national park, Mount Kilimanjaro national, Lake Eyasi national park among others. Tarangire national park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania covering an area of about 2,850 square kilometers. Tarangire national park derived its name from River Tarangire which is a permanent river that flows throughout the park and it is the principal water source for the wildlife and plants in the park. Tarangire national park is composed of granitic mountains, valleys, acacia, baobab tree, swampy and open savanna vegetation where animals freely roam traversing the park.
Tarangire national park is a home to hundreds of wildlife with amazing sceneries and it is also known for having the highest concentration of elephants and during dry season wildlife gather to the swampy areas to look for greener pastures. Tarangire national park also hosts wildebeest migration during dry season however it is not so much as Serengeti great migration, Tarangire’s migration is spectacular.
Tarangire national park not only being the a home to hundreds of thousands of elephants, it is a home to other wildlife for example zebras, cape buffaloes, giraffes, wildebeests, bushbucks, waterbucks, lions, cheetahs, leopards, honey badgers to mention but a few. Tarangire national park was established in 1957 as a game reserve with the aim of protecting wildlife and in 1970, it was declared a national park. You can combine Tarangire national park safari with Serengeti national park safari, Ngorongoro conservation area or gorilla trekking experience in Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park
Wildlife in Tarangire National Park: Tarangire national park is a home to a number of wildlife for example; herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and these are Africa’s Big 4. There are no rhinos in Tarangire national park and these would complete the list of the Africa’s Big 5 animals. Other wildlife that are expected in the park include; zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, ostriches, impalas, kudus, hartebeests, long-necked gerenuk, fringe-eared Oryx, gazelles, mongooses, among others.
Wildlife Migration in Tarangire National Park: This migration is not as that of Serengeti great migration, but it is spectacular where most of the wildlife is seen traversing Tarangire River going to the wetter places in the park.
Birdlife in Tarangire National Park: Tarangire national park is a home to over 500 bird species and some of the bird species in the park include; ostriches, mousebird, plovers, bee-eaters, starlings, go-away birds, harmerkop, plovers, bustards, northern pied babbler, vulturine guinea fowl to mention but a few.
The Wetlands: The park is composed of numerous wetlands southern and eastern part of the park that provide habitat to a variety of wildlife and birds for example tree-climbing pythons, Silale-swamp lions, buffaloes, elephants, wild dogs among others. Bird species in Tarangire wetlands include; Donaldson nightjars, great white pelicans, yellow-collared love bird, white-faced whistling-Duck, Mouse-colored penduline tit, rufous-tailed weaver, and Smith’s vulturine guinea fowl among others.
The Kolo Rock Art: This Kolo rock art is one of the tourist attractions in Tarangire national park, the side it located in the park borders and it is one of the world heritage sites with ancient information left by the early inhabitants.
The Ancient Baobab: The park is famous for hosting a forest of Baobab trees that have been here since time and they provide accommodation for wildlife and work as food to wildlife as well. There is an ancient baobab tree in the park known as the Tree of Life and it is among the tourist attractions in the park known for holding between 300 to 1000 liters of water in its trunk. The tree is believed to be over 100 years. A baobab tree can live up to 600 years. The Baobab tree have myths attached to it that, they could move around Africa freely, and this annoyed God, so he cursed them to be upside down to prevent them from moving. No wonder they are also known as the “Upside down trees”.
The Lemiyon Triangle: This pristine area is located along the far north of the park zoning out a triangle shape is another tourist attraction in the park. This place is famous for hosting birds and birders like this spot so much. Some of the birds found in this place include; red-bellied quelea birds and raptors.
Activities in Tarangire National Park
Game Drives: Game drives in Tarangire national park are so enchanting and should not be missed while you are on the Tanzania wildlife safari. Game drives ca be done in the morning, evening or night and each game drive has a unique experience it offers. During morning game drive be sure to spot early risers, these are always very active when the temperatures are still conducive. Game drive tracks in Tarangire include Lemiyon, Kitbong hill, Lamarku, Western Lake Barungi and Gursi. You can easily encounter wildlife for example elephant hers, zebras, elands, giraffes, ions, leopards, greater and lesser kudus, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, birds among others.
Birding: Tarangire national park being a home to over 500 bird species, it has turned into a birding paradise for the birders. The park is among Tanzania’s birding paradise and some of the birds to spot in Tarangire national park include; rufous-tailed weavers, harsh starlings, Kori bustards, hornbills, ostriches among others.
Guided Nature Walks in Tarangire National Park: Tarangire national park is famous for its fascinating terrain which can be accessed via guided nature walks. You have to get a ranger guide who will take you to different scenic viewpoints of Tarangire, you will have an encounter with wildlife that you might have missed during the game drives. The park is a home to baobab trees which give the best view and a home to wildlife. You will have an encounter with wildlife up-close than ever before.
Cultural Tours in Tarangire National Park: Inside Tarangire national park, there are Masai people and during your safari in Tarangire, you will have a chance to visit the Masai community where you will mix and mingle, learn more about their ancient way of life, taste their food, engage in making fire, singing and drama, learn about their myths among others.
How to Get to Tarangire National Park?
Tarangire national park is among Tanzania’s north safari circuit and it is close to Arusha. It is about 2hours drive from Arusha, about 2hours drive from Lake Manyara national park and it is about 3hours drive from Ngorongoro Crater.
You can also fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro international Airport or Dar es Salaam at Julius Nyerere International Airport. You can combine Tarangire national park safaris with gorilla trekking experience in Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
