Tarangire National Park is one of the stopping safari destinations in Tanzania, lying in the world of the Maasai Steppe to the southeast and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. It occupies an area of 2,600 square kilometers and is known for a vast number of wildlife species, with amazing accommodation facilities for tourists who wish to have an overnight stay on a Tanzania Safari Tour.
It is located a few distance from Arusha, its destination is also found close to other wildlife viewing destinations like Lake Manyara National Park. The park derives its name from the Tarangire River, which crosses through the park.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park
The swamp
The distant Silale swamp is one of the Tarangire ecosystem’s features. During the green season, the swamp reacts like a big sponge, soaking up water and slowly releasing it during the dry season. Many of the herbivores gather in the park in search of water, attracting lions, leopards, and wild dogs in turn. Also, Silale swamp lions, African wild dogs, cape buffaloes, as well as herds of elephants. Water bird species to see in the area: Donaldson -nightjar, Smith’s Vulturine Guinea fowl, among others
The giant baobab tree
They are known as the Tree of Life. These baobabs have adapted to their surroundings over time. It collects and retains water in its massive trunk during the rainy season, allowing it to produce nutrient-dense fruit during the dry season when everything else is dry and barren.
Bird Life
Tarangire National Park hosts wide range of rare bird species with over 550 species recorded. Thus, marking the park a great birding paradise. Some of birds to see include; Yellow-necked spurfowl, hornbills ,guinea fowl , steppe eagles ,brown parrots ,the enormous lappet-faced vulture, white -bellied go away bird ,Bateleur eagles, Mouse birds , Kori bustards ,Yellow-collared lovebirds, Bee-eaters among others.
Tanzania’s Elephant Population
Tarangire National Park has the highest concentration of elephant. Due to huge number ,has made the park become world famous.
Poacher’s Hide
The poacher’s hide in Tarangire National Park is located southwest of Tarangire Hill ,around a hundred meters west of the park’s main north south road. The Poacher’s Hide is renowned old baobab tree with a slightly hidden entrance and an inside chamber that was utilized by the poacher as a hideaway. The poacher’s Hide baobab has a dimeter raising 10 meters and is thought to be over 300 year old. ‘’ it was marked as one of Tarangire National Park’s oldest trees’’.
Lemiyon Triangle
This is yet another stunning attraction to see in Tarangire National Park. Various baobab trees and enormous flocks of red billed quelea birds easily seen around Lemiyon. It’s location nestles away in the park’s northernmost reaches, forming a triangle zone. Lemiyon is a wonderful site for raptor viewing and also offers strong aerial for carnivores.
Other attractions to see include; Tarangire river, Matete woodlands ,Kitibong hill among others.
Activities to do in Tarangire National Park
Game Drives in Tarangire National Park
There are different sessions to do your game safari in the park ;morning game drive ,afternoon or evening game drives and also full day game drives.
During morning game drive ,visitors tend to see numerous animal species which is very active time of day ,animals like elephant ,giraffes ,buffalos ,cheetahs , zebras ,elands, waterbucks ,impala ,wildebeests ,hartebeests many more.
Afternoon or evening game drive in Tarangire involves in searching fo the different wildlife species in large number compared to wildlife sighting during morning game drives.
You can choose to do a full day game drive and is worth it. Watch its different attractions and searching for various wildlife species throughout the day.
Bird watching
Bird watching in Tarangire National Park is quite rewarding. The drier parts of the park are good location to watch various birds like Ostriches ,Kori bustards, hornbills ,rufous tailed weavers ,ashy starlings and yellow collared lovebirds.
Migrant bird species are best watched around the swampy floodplains, during birding excursions, some to view;brown parrots ,yellow necked spur fowls, Guinea fowls ,crested francolins ,lilac breasted rollers ,barbets ,striped swallows ,starlings ,vultures ,falcons ,plovers, hamerkops among many species.
Nature walks
This activity involves exploring the beautiful wilderness of Tarangire National Park and getting a close interaction with the surroundings. You will be accompanied by a ranger guide. Tourists experience the breathtaking scenery during their nature walk and enjoy close encounter with wildlife species and birdlife.
Culture visits
This activity is quite amazing way to meet up with life of the locals through interactions between the locals and the tourists. Learn about the nomadic way of life and enjoy their unique traditional dance performance, visiting the ‘’manyattas’’ which are traditional homesteads of the Maasai.
Visit their Maasai craft shop displayed with lots of beautiful jewelry such as beaded necklaces, earrings, anklets made in different colors and patterns.
Best Time to Visit Tarangire National Park
The best time to go for safari in Tarangire National Park is during dry season which starts from June to October and December to Mid-March. During this period wildlife viewing is clear all year round. Grass can be short and clear for a memorable game adventure.
How to Get to Tarangire National Park
By Air; Tourists who hate driving long journeys drive, opt to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport ‘’KIA’’ which is just adjacent to Arusha town, the starting point of the northern safari circuit tourism parks. Then book a domestic flight to Arusha Airport ‘’ARK’’. If you want for cheap ticket, fly to Nairobi, Kenya and then take board bus to save money between Arusha and Nairobi.
You can book charter flight /domestic flights with any domestic airline, including Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Regional Air ,Zan Air ,Safari Air Link or Coastal Aviation.
By Road
From Arusha to Tarangire National Park is approximately 140 kilometers long and takes about two to three hours.
Accommodations in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park vibes with perfect of safari lodges and tented camp within the park as well as in the neighboring area. They are affordable ranging from Mid -range to Luxury lodges and Luxury tented camps .Some of them ;Nimali Tarangire ,Tarangire Treetops ,Swala safari camp , Sangaiwe Tented Lodge ,Tarangire safari lodge ,Tarangire Sopa Lodge ,Maramboi Tented camp ,
