Tarangire National Park Safari Guide Tarangire National Park Tanzania is known for its large population of elephants. You can spot herds containing up to 300 elephants here. Also famous for its hundred-year-old baobab trees that cover the park. Here you will get an insight of the Tarangire Park including When is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park Tanzania portal is a non-commercial with all information from wildlife, attractions, and Tarangire activities, to safari accommodation, when to go, how to get there, Tarangire Safaris & Tours, Cost of Tarangire Safari, and a travel blog. Ranking as the 6th largest National Park in Tanzania and covering an area of 2,600 square kilometers, The Tarangire National Park is most popular for its large elephant herds and mini-wildlife migration that takes place during the dry season which sees about 250,000 animals enter the park. Located Slightly off the popular northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, the park lies between the meadows of Masai Steppe to the southeast and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. Within the northern part of Tarangire is the permanent River Tarangire also known as the lifeline of the park particularly in the dry season when most of the region is totally dry. This flows northwards until it exits the park in the northwestern corner to pour into Lake Burundi. There are a number of wide swamps which dry into green plains during the dry season in the south. During your 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 Tanzania’s countryside. Why visit Tarangire National Park? Safari in the Tarangire A safari trip to the Tarangire is less busy than visitors will find in the Serengeti. This doesn’t take away from the quality of this park however as the big five can easily be found along with large numbers of other wildlife, migration sightings, beautiful acacia trees as well as red termite mounds. Another unique feature of Tarangire NP is the baobab trees, also referred to as the Tree of Life. These trees are ‘gigantic’ in nature and can store between 300 liters and 1000 liters of water in their trunk. This tree is a significant source of food for various animals which normally feed on its edible seed. On the other hand, elephants sharpen their huge tusks on the bark of these trees. Animals Visitors will be amazed by the variety and numbers of animals they will encounter including the big five including the African bush elephant, the lion, rhinoceros, leopard, African buffalo, and numerous giraffes, impala, ostriches, baboons, big cats, wild dogs, and cheetahs. One of the key attractions that have made the Tarangire National Park Tanzania become internationally popular is its largest elephant population which in fact is considered to be the highest in the whole of Tanzania. Visitors will see numerous large elephant herds of about 300 individuals per herd digging the dry riverbed of the Tarangire River in search of underground streams of water to quench their thirst. Birds Over 500 species of birds can be found here including the ashy starling, red and yellow barbet, tawny eagle, red-bellied parrot, the yellow-collared lovebird, and the speckle-fronted weaver. Trees The most spectacular trees to be found include the Baobab which has a long life span and can survive up to six hundred years. The park also has a mix of granite ridges, river valleys, and swamps. The vegetation here is a mix of Acacia woodlands, Combretum woodlands, and seasonally flooded grasslands. Other activities at Tarangire NP There are multiple activities and things to do in Tanzania that can be added to your safari including walking safaris. Here are some other activities which visitors can consider during their visit to Tarangire NP: The Great Migration tour: A spectacular scene with millions of animals moving through Tarangire National Park in search of food and breeding grounds. Photo safaris: Visitors on an African safari will have endless photo opportunities in Tarangire where small groups of just 3 travelers can share a luxury photography tour with like-minded individuals and enjoy big game drives whilst capturing their favorite moments. Walking safaris: Explore wildlife and private concessions on foot, an authentic and economical means of exploring the wildlife. Hot air balloon tour package: A magical way of seeing the Great Migration in a hot air balloon flight over the landscape. Offering a unique perspective on the abundant wildlife and amazing scenery. Ngorongoro Crater tour: Although not part of Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is worth a visit, with a huge intact volcanic caldera and Olduvai Gorge. This area and park is home to over 25,000 animals including wildebeests and zebras as well as thousands of Masai Community members.Tarangire luxury tours: With excellent game viewing, Tarangire National Park also offers some of the very best luxury lodges in the world. With incredible decor, modernly decorated suites, excellent views, superb service, and food, these intimate safari experiences have it all to make the perfect Tarangire safari tour. Tarangire safari: A stunning self-drive Tarangire journey will allow visitors to enjoy the very best wildlife at their own pace. Getting to Tarangire There are two major ways you can access Tarangire National Park and that is either by road or air transport. From Arusha, Tarangire is located at a distance of about 120 kilometers which is in the southeast of Manyara NP. Being one of the most seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire has a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. Between June and October which is the dry season, there are unimaginable herds of animals that are attracted to the Tarangire River. The elephant numbers at this time are amazing. Endeavor to make this park part of your safari in northern Tanzania. The dry months of June to October bring about large gatherings of elephants. After the game migrates from the Masaai Mara, it gathers around the river. When is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park? The middle and the end of the dry season which runs from late June to October is the best time to view wildlife in Tarangire National Park. Most of the animals move out of the park during the wet season and viewing animals is at that time less rewarding. From June to October (the dry season), the animals gather around the Tarangire River and this is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park. There is little rainfall during this time of the year hence making it the time with the best weather for game viewing. June to October still marks the high / peak tourist season with so many tourists filling the park. on the other hand, the low tourist season comes in March, April and May when the park is experiencing the wet season characterized y heavy rains, hence the worst weather which makes it the less best time to visit Tarangire National Park In Summary, Tarangire National Park experiences two main seasons which are: the wet and dry seasons as highlighted below Useful information Geography: Located on the northern circuit of Tanzania, just south of Lake Manyara, a trip to the Tarangire National Park is often combined with a trip to the Ngorongoro Crater. 62 miles long and about 18 miles wide, the Tarangire National Park covers more than 1,100 square miles. Weather: Day-time high temperatures range from 24C/75F to 29C/84F with the last of the rain falling in May. Best time to go: The middle and end of the Dry season, from late June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park. Most of the animals migrate out of the park during the wet season. Understanding the best time to visit Tanzania is useful as this impacts flight prices and availability. Health: Visitors should seek medical advice from their doctor and consider antimalarial medication.
