Tarangire National Park

For travelers seeking the best wildlife safari in Tarangire National Park, they will have to explore the northern parts of Tanzania. The park covers the vast plains of the Manyara region and offers some of the best wildlife experiences. The name Tarangire comes from the River Tarangire found within this park. This river is the lifeline of wildlife in Tarangire National Park. More so, the park is famous for being home to large herds of elephants.

The park was established in 1970 and is among the oldest parks in Tanzania. It covers a total area of 2850 square kilometers of land near the Lake Manyara National Park. The park is also within the Tarangire ecosystem which focuses on the long distance of the great migration of the wildebeests and zebras. This wildlife usually gathers along the Tarangire River in the dry season of the year.

What to see in Tarangire National Park?

Wildlife species

The wildlife in the park includes the large herds of elephants which are the major attractions that are seen within the park. The other wildlife includes lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, cheetahs, waterbucks, vervet monkeys, impalas, elands, baboons, banded Mongoose and many others. The park is also home to some reptiles like pythons, puffy deer, green snakes, black mambas, black spitting cobras, and many others. Travelers on the Tanzania safari usually enjoy the migration of wildlife like zebras, wildebeests, and elephants among others.

Birds species

The Tarangire National Park is home to a variety of bird species over 550 bird species are located within the park. These species live within the swamps, savanna plains, woodlands, and termite mounds. The bird species in the park are characterized by endemic species, migratory species, and resident species. The species in the park include; hoopoes, hornbills, hummer corps, yellow-collared love birds, and ostrich among others.

Baobab trees

The baobab trees are trees that are large and medium in size. These trees are found in Austria, Madagascar, the African mainland, and also in the Tarangire National Park. They have lived for over 600 years within the park with their different shapes away from other tree species containing over 330 to 1000 liters of water. Historically, they were considered to be moving trees where they used their roots to move. Then God punished them never to move again. Also, these trees are used by the elephants to sharpen their tusks, offer shade to them, and also food. The traveler on the Tanzania safari will have an opportunity to spot the large herds of elephants under these trees.

Swamp

The park has a long network of swamps and also it is home to some wildlife like Silale swamp lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, tree tree-climbing lions among others. Also during the visit to the wetland, you site different bird species.

What to do in the Tarangire National Park?

While on the Tanzania safari, there are a variety of activities that travelers have to engage in while in the Tarangire National Park.

Game viewing

This is the primary activity that is done in this park. It is done using the 4X4 safari van with a pop-up which allows you to have a close encounter with the wildlife. The game viewing can be done in the morning, full day, and night. The night game viewing is done by the travelers who have the equipment for the game drive to take place.

Nature walks or safari walks

The nature walks or the safari walks are done within and at the boundaries of the park. During the safari walks, you will move in a group or company of the game rangers. The rangers will ensure your safety while exploring and getting closer to the wildlife of the park, viewing the scenic views of the park and landscape features like the river valleys.

Birding

The park is a birding haven for travelers on their birding safari in Tanzania. The bird species in the park include the migratory, resident, and endemic bird species. The birding in the park is done under the guidance of the armed ranger who will ensure your safety while in the park. The guides will also direct you to the best spots for sitting the bird species while in the park.

Where to stay in the park?

Travelers on their Tanzania safari, have a variety of accommodation facilities that the travelers will choose from. These facilities usually range from luxury facilities to midrange facilities and budget facilities. Luxury facilities are facilities that offer high-end and opulence services for travelers who can enjoy their stay on the Tanzania safari. The facilities include; Tarangire tree tops, Mbali Mbali River camp, Trackers Safari Lodge, Tarangire Baobob camp, and many others.

The midrange facilities are facilities that offer intermediate, moderate, and medium-quality services to travelers on the Tanzania safari in Tanzania. The midrange facilities in the Tarangire National Park include; Tarangire Simba Camp, Sanctuary Swala Camp, Nomard Kuro, Nyikani Tarangire Camp, and many others.

The budget accommodation facilities are facilities that offer services to travelers who are on tight budgets during their Tanzania safari. These facilities include; a whistling tented camp, Ngare Lodge, and many others. The other budget option offered in the Tarangire National Park is camping for travelers on a tight budget.

How to get the Tarangire National Park?

The Tarangire National Park can be accessed by either road or air transport. While using air transport, you have a domestic flight from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Tarangire National Park. By road, the park is 160 kilometers away from Arusha and the travelers will take about 2 to 3 hours to access the park while in the northern part of Tanzania.

What is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park?

The Tarangire National Park can be visited at any time of the year. During the dry season of the year, travelers will encounter a lot of wildlife in the park since the vegetation is short and the wildlife is visible to be seen. Also during the dry season, you will experience the great migration that will take place around the park. Siting of more wildlife on the shores and banks of the river Tarangire since it is the only water source in the dry season.  In the wet season, the park is also visited. Here, the travelers will see the wildlife grazing within the park and also the predators hiding to hunt the prey.