Tarangire National Park

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Tarangire National Park is part of Tanzania's northern safari circuit that also includes Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Tanzania's sixth largest park, Tarangire has excellent wildlife densities and great accommodation options. Tarangire National Park boasts some of the highest animal densities and most stunning landscapes in Tanzania. Its proximity to Arusha makes it easily accessible, and it's often combined with the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, completing Tanzania's northern safari circuit. Tarangire is the sixth biggest park in Tanzania at 2,850 km². It takes its name - as well as its game wealth - from the Tarangire River which flows through the park, attracting elephants and many other animals.
Why visit the Tarangire National Park:
Tarangire has some of the highest elephant populations in the country. During peak migration from July to October, around 5,000 of these gentle giants will migrate to Tarangire - you can sometimes see groups of 300 elephants at once. It's not just elephants that migrate across these plains. You'll also find plenty of other mammals including lions, zebras and antelopes. The vast grasslands and Baobab trees create a rugged, 'Out of Africa' feel that's quite distinct amongst Tanzania's national parks. It is only a short drive from Arusha on tarmac roads, making for a relatively easy-going journey, and perfect for a short safari of one or two days after a Kili hike or other safaris across Tanzania.
Get To Explore:
  • Home to Africa’s largest elephant herds in family groups
  • Ancient baobab trees dominate the landscape, providing dramatic scenery
  • Over 550 bird species, including Kori Bustard, attract birdwatchers
  • Tarangire River and swamps attract diverse wildlife in dry seasons
  • Sunrise balloon safaris offer aerial views and champagne breakfasts
  • Towering red termite mounds sculpt the plains dramatically
Best time to visit:
The middle and the end of the dry season that runs from late June to October is the best time to view wild life 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. In June to October (the dry season), the animals gather around the Tarangire River and this is the best time to go to 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
Weather & Climate:
The weather in Tarangire National Park is temperate and enjoyable. The Wet season consists of two rainy periods: the short rains (November to December) and the long rains (March to May). Around January and February rainfall decreases for a month or so. It usually rains in the afternoon and seldom for the entire day. It rarely gets too hot, but the evenings and mornings tend to get cold. Warm clothes for early morning game drives are recommended
Wild:
covering a 2,850 square kilometers of surface area, this park offers habitat to plenty of wildlife like zebras, searching for underground streams in the dry river beds and herds of up to about 300 elephants can be found. The shrinking lagoons are gathered around by migratory wildebeest, eland, gazelle, impala, zebras, kudu, rhino, hartebeest buffalo and other smaller mammals. Also regularly spotted are the dry country antelopes like the long necked gerenuk and fringe eared Oryx. Mongoose colonies are often hosted by abandoned drifts (anthills).The thick vegetation usually hides the main predators that are always there but cannot easily be seen just like any other parks in northern Tanzania.
Bird:
The drier areas of the park are occupied by the Stocking-thighed Ostrich, the worlds largest bird, the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world, and smaller groups of hornbills... The Tarangire National Park with its various habitats and food sources is a park every bird-watcher most see. In the Tarangire National Park you can also see the three endangered bird species of Tanzania: Rufous-tailed weaver, Ashy starling and Yellow-collared Lovebird. The swampy floodplains in Tarangire's southern and eastern part are important breeding grounds for the Eurasian migrants. Tarangire's woodlands are inhabited by Hoopoes, Hornbills, White-bellied Go-away-bird and Brown parrots.
Getting There:
Tarangire National Park is part of the popular Northern safari circuit and is typically visited together with Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Most safaris start from the town of Arusha. The best way to get there is to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is 50km/31mi from Arusha. It is also possible to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and on to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). There are regular flights from Arusha and Serengeti to Tarangire, but driving is a good option too. It is a comfortable 2-hour* drive from Arusha to the park entrance gate, of which only the last 7km/4mi is not tarred. Moving on, it is an easy drive to Lake Manyara National Park (100km/60mi in about 2 hours*) or the Ngorongoro Crater (180km/110mi in about 4 hours*).