Quick Facts
About Tarangire National Park
Peak Time
June - October
Best Time To Go
Year-Round
Famous For
Large herds of elephants and ancient baobab trees
Home Of
Over 550 species of birds and diverse wildlife
Overview
The sky over Tarangire National Park is often clear with no clouds. The park is famous for its large baobab trees. The hot sun dries the land, turning the soil dusty red. The grass becomes dry and breaks easily. The Tarangire River becomes much smaller than it is during the rainy season. Even so, many animals gather around it because it is one of the few places where water can still be found.
Wildlife
During you Safari in Tarangire, You are highly recommended to stay for a couple of days especially in the south of the park which offers a less crowded safari experience and gives you the opportunity to enjoy an authentic African feel of the Tanzania’s countryside.
Large Numbers of Wildlife
During the dry season, up to 300 elephants can be seen digging in the dry riverbed to find water underground. Many animals, including wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, impalas, gazelles, hartebeests, and elands, gather near the remaining water sources.
Tarangire has the largest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania outside the Serengeti, including some of Africa’s largest predators. The park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see dry-country antelopes such as the fringe-eared oryx and the long-necked gerenuk.
During the rainy season, many animals spread out across a large area of about 20,000 square kilometres. They return to the river again when the land becomes dry. Elephants can be seen in Tarangire throughout the year.
Birdlife
The park’s swamps stay green all year and attract about 550 species of birds. This is one of the highest numbers of breeding bird species found in one habitat anywhere in the world.
Visitors may see:
- The Kori bustard, the heaviest bird that can fly.
- The ostrich, the largest bird in the world.
- Ground hornbills walking around in small groups.
Bird lovers may also spot colourful yellow-collared lovebirds, as well as the rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling. These birds are found only in the dry savannah areas of north-central Tanzania.
Other animals
Old termite mounds are often home to dwarf mongooses. Red-and-yellow barbets are also common and are known for their loud, rhythmic calls.
Tarangire’s pythons sometimes climb trees. Lions and leopards can also be seen resting in tree branches, hidden among the fruits of sausage trees.
About Tarangire National Park
Size: 2,850 square kilometres (1,096 square miles)
Location: 118 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of Arusha
How to Get There
- Drive from Arusha or Lake Manyara on a paved road that reaches close to the main gate.
- Continue from Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
- Charter flights are available from Arusha and the Serengeti.
Things to Do
- Guided walking safaris
- Night game drives
- Visits to Maasai and Barabaig villages
- Visits to ancient rock paintings near Kolo on the Dodoma Road
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Best time to Visit Tarangire
Tarangire can be visited all year. However, the dry season (June to October and again January to March) is the best time to see large numbers of animals.