Tarangire National Park is one of the must-see safari destinations in Tanzania. It is in the Manyara region, about 118 kilometres from Arusha, the region’s capital, and about 70 kilometres from Lake Manyara. Tarangire National Park is part of the Northern Safari Circuit. It is close to Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater, making it attractive stopover point.
Tarangire National Park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometres and has a great ecosystem with plants, animals, birds, and even termite mounds. Tarangire national park was first set up in 1957 as a national reserve. In 1970, it became a national park. The park got its name from the beautiful Tarangire River, which runs through it and splits it in half. Tarangire national park has grassy savannah plains, swamps, and the famous sunbaked termite mounds. The ecosystem and park itself are fed by the Tarangire River, which is the only constant source of water in the park. A lot of animals come to the Tarangire River to drink water. This is especially true during the dry season (June to November), when over 3,000 elephants, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, gazelles, and other animals come to the river to find water and green grass.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park.
Animal species.
Tarangire national park is a home over 58 species of large mammals which are readily accessible in different parts of the park, the park experiences elephant annual migration which happens in the dry season (June – November). Elephant migration is when more than 3,000 elephants move into the park in search of water and green grass. This amazing sight can be seen at River Tarangire and the park’s fields, where the elephants walk under baobab trees. Also, Tarangire national park is where you can see the most animals outside of the Serengeti environment. Wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, impalas, zebras, and buffalo crowd into shrinking lagoons to find water. There are leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, hartebeests, wildebeests, elands, impalas, wild dogs, antelopes, fringe-eared Oryx, grant’s gazelles, vervet monkeys, banded mongooses, olive baboons, greater kudus, and many more animals in Tarangire national park.
Bird species.
Tarangire National Park is one of the finest spots to see birds on a Tanzania safari. It is home to more than 500 different kinds. Most of the birds in Tarangire National Park live in swamps, forests, and along the banks of the Tarangire River. These birds include Hoopoes, hornbills, yellow-necked spur fowl, crested francolin, lilac-breasted rollers, stripped swallows, swifts, cordon bleus, owl’s plovers, bee-eaters, starlings, kori bustards, Bateleur eagles, steppe eagles, tiny pygmy falcon, white-faced whistling ducks, red-billed teals and many more.
Vegetation.
The beautiful Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park are known all over the world. These trees are some of the biggest on Earth and have many names. Locally, Baobab trees are called “Mbuyu” in Swahili. They are also called “rat tree,” “monkey-bread tree,” and “bottle tree.” Baobab trees have a very thick, strong trunk and branches that look like roots. In Tarangire National Park, a Baobab tree can grow to 30 metres tall, with a stem that is 11 metres in diameter, and live for 6,000 years.
Safari activities to do in Tarangire national park.
Game drives.
Game drives are the most outstanding safari experience provided in Tarangire national park, the park is a home to an enormous variety of animals and there is 5 routes that are Lemiyon route, Gursi route, Lamarku route, western Lake Barungi route and Kitibong hill route used on game drive safari experience. Game drives in Tarangire national park are available as morning, afternoon and evening game drive, on this safari you are to spot numerous animals such as leopards, lions, cheetah, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, impalas, wild dogs, antelopes, fringe-eared Oryx, grant’s gazelles, vervet monkeys, banded mongoose, olive baboons, greater kudus and many more.
Bird watching.
Tarangire National Park is a heaven for birds and an excellent safari destination to go bird watching. The park is home to more than 500 kinds of birds, both those that live there and those that pass through. In Tarangire national park the best spot for viewing birds are savannah woodlands, swamps along Tarangire River and Lemiyon triangle situated in the northernmost end of the park, birds spotted on this experience include martial eagles, Bateleur eagles, long crested eagles, spotted eagle owls, fish eagles, ostriches, great white pelicans, tawny eagles, white-faced whistling ducks, superb starlings, white headed babblers and many more.
Nature walks.
Nature walks in Tarangire National Park are a great way to see the beautiful scenery and different types of vegetation found in the park. These walks are offered in the morning and evening and last between one and three hours. Tourists can see beautiful baobab trees, a variety of birds like Hoopoes, hornbills, yellow-necked spur fowl, crested francolin, lilac-breasted rollers, stripped swallows, and swifts in the swamps, and animals like elephants, antelopes, lions, and many others on the banks of the Tarangire River during this safari.
Sightseeing.
Sightseeing in Tarangire national park is one of the most distinctive safari activities, the park provides wonderful views of the natural world consisting of beautiful Baobab trees sprinkled around the park and numerous swamps such as Silale swamp. Silale swamp covering 30 square kilometers is a flawless sightseeing spot in the park as it delivers attractions of an array of wildlife species such as zebras, gazelles, elephants and many bird species. Yet another incredible spot to visit in Tarangire national park is Tarangire River which is surrounded by huge baobab trees and swamps.
Cultural tours.
Cultural tours in Tarangire National Park are an outstanding opportunity to learn about the Maasai tribe and their unique way of life, customs, and rules. Maasai communities live along the park’s borders, and the park itself is near Maasai steep. On cultural excursions, you can learn about the nomadic way of life of the Maasai, who make things like beaded earrings, bangles, anklets, and necklaces. Maasai people have a unique way of building their houses, which are round. They also have a beautiful way of dressing called shukas, which you will see on culture tours.
Where to stay in Tarangire national park.
In Tarangire national park there is a broad spectrum of accommodation establishments providing bed and other services to individuals on a safari in the park, these can be classified as Luxury, midrange and budget and they include Nimali Tarangire tented camp, Acacia Tarangire luxury camp, Sanctuary Swala camp, Lemala Mpingo ridge lodge, Ecoscience Science center and luxury lodge, Tarangire safari lodge, Tarangire Sopa lodge, Ang’ata Tarangire camp, Kikoti tented camp, Sangaiwe Tented lodge, Tarangire Osupuko Lodge, Maramboi tented lodge, Kirurumu Tarangire lodge, Whistling thorn tented camp and many more
How to get to Tarangire national park.
Tarangire national park is in the northern safari circuit. It is easy to get to by taking roads that lead to Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti national park. Most safaris to Tarangire national park start in Arusha, and you can get there by road or by air. From the city of Arusha, you can take public or private transportation to get to the park. You can also take a chartered trip from Arusha Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport.