Tarangire National Park has some of the highest population density of elephants as compared to anywhere in Tanzania, and its sparse vegetation strewn with baobab and acacia trees, make it a beautiful and distinctive location to visit. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for people travelling through the northern safari circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas where wildlife is allowed to move freely throughout.
Before the rains, droves of gazelles, wildebeests, zebras and giraffes migrate to Tarangire National Park’s scrub plains where the last grazing land still remains. Tarangire offers an unparalled game viewing, and during the dry season elephants abound. Breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains in the south make a stopover at Tarangire amemorable experience. Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeests, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinkking lagoons. Its the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the serengeti ecosystem- a-smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry – country antelope such as the the stately fringe eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gevenuk are regularly observed.
During the rainy season, the seasonal visitors scatter over a 20,000 square kilometres (12,500 square miles) range untill they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. But Tarangire’s mobs of elephants are easily encountered wet or dry. The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus for 550 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world. Tarangire’s pythons climb trees, as do it’s lions and leopards, lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.
Tarangire National Park isn’t located on the main safari route and is less crowded than most national parks in Tanzania. 10 times larger than Manyara and its game tends to be concentrated during peak season. The park is Known for its breathtaking baobab trees and stunning natural beauty.
Park Highlights
- Night safaris
- Guided walking Tours
- Day Trips to Maasai and Barabaig villages.
- Excellent accomodation options
- Concentrated wildlife viewing opportiunities
- Breathtaking scenery
Park Facts
Annual Visitors 160,000+
Size 2,850sq kms
Common Animals Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetar. Eland, Impala, Gazelle,
Hartebeest, Buffalo, Wildebeest and Giraffe
Best Time to Visit July to October
Nearby Attractions Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, L. Manyara
Location
118km (75 miles) Southwest of Arusha.
