Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is situated slightly off the famous Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania. It lies between the meadows of the Masai Steppe to the South Eastern lakes of the Great Rift Valley. The park is well known for its vast savannah grasslands and diverse wildlife mainly the large population of elephants.
The Tarangire River is one of the park’s highlights. The river flows through the park providing a water source for the wildlife during dry seasons. Huge herds of animals gather at the Tarangire River for refreshments and hence creating perfect chances for the visitors to spot wildlife up close.
Establishment of Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park was gazetted as a game reserve in 1957 and later established as a national park in 1970. It covers a surface area of about 2,850 square kilometers. The park was named after the Tarangire River which flows through it. The Tarangire means the river of warthogs and indeed the park harbors very many warthogs.
Tarangire National Park is well known for its large population of the African elephants. It harbors over 3,000 individuals roaming the savannah grasslands. Visitors to Tarangire National Park can also encounter a number of wild animals such as hippos, leopards, lions, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas and many more.
What to see in Tarangire National Park
This national park is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks but it is gifted with a lot of tourist attractions that make it a unique safari destination. Tarangire National Park has the largest population of African elephants which is actually one of its highlights. The park also features a number of other attractions such as;
The Tarangire River
Tarangire River is one of the major tourist attractions in the park and it is the main water source for the animals and birds in the wild. The river attracts very many animals especially during hot days giving visitors a chance to spot as many animals as possible.
Huge Boab Trees
The boab trees have made Tarangire National Park a very unique tourist destination. These huge trees are sometimes referred to as the “Trees of life”. These trees are said to be a significant source of food to several wildlife as they feed on their seeds.
Several Bird species
Tarangire National Park harbors over 550 different bird species best spotted along the river Tarangire and the swamps spread around. These birds can also be spotted in the forest galleries and the savannahs.
Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of Tarangire’ s most popular tourist attraction since many tourists are interested in witnessing this unique wildlife experience. As the wildebeests migrate from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Park of Kenya, they cross through Tarangire National Park plains.
Swamps
The park has a number of swamps distributed in the southern and Eastern regions of the park. The swamps in Tarangire National Park include; Gurusi, Lamakau and Silale. These swamps are mainly fed by the Tarangire River which flows northwest and pours its waters in Lake Burunge. The swamps act as habitats for different wildlife species.
mammal species
Tarangire National Park harbors over 60 recorded species of mammals. The park harbors four of the Big Five animals of Africa and these are; Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and Elephants. Among other animals that can be spotted in Tarangire National Park are; zebras, hyenas, hippos, cheetahs and many more.
What to do in Tarangire National Park
Game Drives
Having a large number of wildlife species, game driving through Tarangire National Park gives more chances to encounter its unique wildlife. The activity takes place twice a day and that is during the early morning hours, in the afternoon and in the evening. While on a game drive in this national park, you will have a chance to encounter 4 of the Big Five Animals. Among other animals to spot are, elands, antelopes, wildebeests, zebras, Monkeys and many others.
Nature Walks
Nature walking is an interesting activity that gives you the chance to explore the park on foot getting closer to nature. During nature walks in Tarangire National Park, tourists are accompanied by an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger. The park guide will take you through the wild as he shares with you facts and history of certain wildlife. During nature walks in this national park, you will probably have a chance to spot animals such as leopards, elephants, Warthogs, lions, elands, buffaloes and many more.
Bird watching
Tarangire National Park is one of the best tourist destinations for bird watching in Tanzania. It harbors over 550 recorded bird species. The birds can best be spotted around the Tarangire River, and the different swamps in the park. Visitors can spot a number of birds which may include; ashy starling, superb starling, red-and-yellow barbet, pink-breasted lark, yellow-necked spurfowl, black-headed heron, Northern pied babbler and many more.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park
The best time to visit Tarangire National Park is during the moths of June to October when the country receives very little or no rainfall at all. During this period of time, travelers find it easy to navigate through the National Parks and reserves since the trails and tracks are always dry. Regardless of the season, a visit to Tarangire remains interesting and gives an immersive experience.
How to get to Tarangire National Park
Being located in the Northern safari circuit together with Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha is the main starting point. A road trip from Arusha to Tarangire National Park can 140kilometers and can take you about 2½hours. Fortunate enough, the road is well paved except for the last 7 kilometers before you reach park gate.
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