TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Tarangire National Park is a must-visit park in Tanzania for authentic African wilderness experiences. This park is the least crowded and relatively not famous as the Serengeti National Park but rewards travel endeavors with off beaten true wilderness experiences. Tarangire National Park is set in the Northern circuit of Tanzania and it is popular for large herds of elephant migration, authentic wilderness experiences and bird watching experiences. It sits in the Southern side of the Southern Masai land, 115kms from Arusha.

History of Tarangire National Park

The history of Tarangire National Park can be traced in 1970 when it was founded. It takes its name from Tarangire River that flows via it and also plays an essential role during the dry season when there is scarcity of water for wildlife to drink. In other words, River Tarangire is the only source of water for wild animals in this park when it is a dry season. Today, this park occupies an area of 1100sq.miles which rate as the 6th largest park in Tanzania. It prides itself as a home to huge concentration of wildlife that rate among the premier game viewing safari destinations in Tanzania. Majority of wildlife from Lake Manyara National Park migrate into Tarangire National Park during the dry spell.

History has it that between the 16th and 19th century, the Maa speaking pastoralists extended to cover parts of the parks at the time. They replaced the Nilotes and the Bantu. By 1880, the Masai became many and in 1900, they suffered pleuro pneumonia and small pox which claimed lives of many. There was also outbreak of rinderpest that killed their livestock and wildlife. However, during the colonial era in the 1880s and 1950s, the Maasai were displaced and European farmers and at the same time, most parks were founded. In 1970, the Tarangire Game Reserve upgraded its status as a national park. 

Attractions in Tarangire National Park

Wildlife

What distinguishes Tarangire National Park from the rest of the parks is its huge concentration of wildlife which rate it among the magical wilderness areas. The different wildlife species to look out for on Tanzania safari in Tarangire National Park include the tree climbing lions, wildebeests, hartebeests, elephants, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, elands, warthogs, Kudus, buffaloes, zebras.

Birdlife

With over 550 bird species, Tarangire National Park is undoubtedly a birders paradise. The different avifaunal species to identify on Tanzania safari in this park include ostriches, bare faced go away bird. Donaldson smit’s nightjar, red and yellow barbets, African grey flycatchers, red barbets, lapped faced vultures, Bateleur eagles, brown parrots, Northern pied babblers, vulturine guinea fowl, pink breasted lark, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Northern white crowned shrike, great white pelicans, yellow collared love bird, rufous tailed weavers, ashy starling, migratory birds which confine into this park from November to April.

What to do in Tarangire National Park

Game viewing

Game viewing in Tarangire National Park is possible during day and night. On a game drive, expect to see variety of wildlife species including tree climbing lions, wildebeests, hartebeests, elephants, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, elands, warthogs, Kudus, buffaloes, zebras, bird species and many more.

Birding

With your camera and pair of binoculars, birding in Tarangire National Park is very rewarding with astonishing bird sights at avifaunal species such as ostriches, bare faced go away bird. Donaldson smit’s nightjar, red and yellow barbets, African grey flycatchers, red barbets, lapped faced vultures, Bateleur eagles, brown parrots, Northern pied babblers, vulturine guinea fowl, pink breasted lark, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Northern white crowned shrike, great white pelicans, yellow collared love bird, rufous tailed weavers, ashy starling, migratory birds which confine into this park from November to April.

Guided nature walks

Guided nature walks in Tarangire National Park take you to different habitats with a chance to sight different wildlife, birds and enjoy the amazing view of the landscape.

You can also pay a visit to Masai and Barabaig villages, hot air balloon tours.

Best time to visit Tarangire National Park

The best time to visit Tarangire National Park may differ from one traveler to another. If you are interested in game viewing, then consider visiting this park during the dry months of the dry months of the year beginning June, July, August, September and October. During the dry spell there is low or no rain and most wildlife confine in few water sources to drink water thus offering amazing wildlife viewing experiences to visitors on Tanzania safari. November to April is ideal for birders who wish to explore more about the migratory birds on birding tour in Tanzania.

Where to stay in Tarangire National Park

The list of different accommodation choices to spend a night in Tarangire National Park include Whistling Thorn camp, Tarangire Sopa lodge, Oliver’s camp, Swala luxury tented camps, Tarangire treetops, Balloon camp Tarangire, Tarangire safari lodge.

How to get to Tarangire National Park

Travelers on Tanzania safari can get to Tarangire National Park either by road or air. By road, set off from Arusha Town or Lake Manyara about 7kms to the main entry gate. Or drive from Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park and connect to Tarangire National Park. To save time, take flight services from Arusha or Serengeti then connect to this park.