The Tarangire National Park site offers a free resource for visitors. From wild creatures and attractions to activities in Tarangire, it provides info on safari lodging, best travel times, transport, costs, and tour options, even a travel blog! It’s Tanzania’s 6th biggest park, spreading over 2,600 square kilometers. Tarangire is famous for its many elephants and the mini migration during the dry season. Around 250,000 animals enter the park then. More on our Tanzania safari tours await you.
Location Of Tarangire National Park
Nestled away from the famous northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, Tarangire National Park is a scenic wonder. It is bordered by the Masai Steppe meadows to the southeast and the Great Rift Valley lakes to the north and west. The northern section of the park is home to the life-giving River Tarangire, which becomes the park’s lifeline, especially during the dry season when much of the area dries out. The river flows northwards, exiting the park through the northwest corner and emptying into Lake Burungi. The south of the park transforms into lush green plains during the dry season, a sight to behold.
When embarking on a Tarangire safari, it’s highly recommended to spend a few days, particularly in the less frequented south side of the park. This allows for a truly authentic, unspoiled African experience, where the raw beauty of Tanzania’s countryside shines through, and you can deeply connect with nature and the local culture.
Tarangire Vegetation
Tarangire River, the park’s significant feature, gave the park its name. Extensive swamps embrace the river’s tributaries; however, they mostly dry up, only to become impenetrable during the rainy season. Despite being drier than the Serengeti, Tarangire Park boasts lush greenery. Elephant grass covers huge sections, mingling with expansive acacia woodlands. The aquatic forest, a spectacular sight, aligns with giant baobab trees. Astonishingly, these trees live up to 600 years and can store an impressive 300 to 900 liters of water.
Tarangire Wildlife Migration
From June to November every year, Tarangire Park becomes a hub for wildlife migration. It isn’t as huge as the Serengeti’s Wildebeest Migration, but it’s still impressive. In this dry region, the Tarangire River becomes a crucial water source. A diverse array of animals, like wildebeests, elephants, zebras, gazelles, buffaloes, and hartebeests gather here. Predators, like lions, are also drawn to the river banks for food and water. In the rainy months, from November to May, the scene changes. Zebras and large wildebeest herds move towards the Rift Valley. They join other animals, spreading across the vast Masaai Steppe. Some even reach Lake Manyara’s shores.
Animals Of Tarangire National Park
Explore Tarangire! You’ll see all sorts of animals. It’s an excellent place for elephants, one of the largest groups in Africa. Expect to spot herds with up to 300 elephants! You might also see impalas, elands, buffaloes, and giraffes. Occasionally, you’ll spot a Bohor reedbuck or Coke’s hartebeest. Keep an eye out for the Thompson’s gazelle and the two types of kudu. If you’re lucky, you might see the rare gerenuk and the fringe-eared Oryx. Some say black rhinos are around, too. Elephants, wildebeests, and zebras are familiar sights. You might even spot a leopard, lion, hyena, or cheetah in the southern areas. Sometimes, wild dogs make an appearance.
The Tarangire is home to an array of birds, with over 545 distinct species identified. It’s bursting with vibrant yellow collared lovebirds and includes numerous shy starlings, among others.
Activities in Tarangire National Park
Game Drives and walking tours
In this Tanzanian park, the main fun comes from game drives. But did you know that if you’re not staying inside the park, you could have walking tours and even night safaris! There’s a place called Oliver’s Camp, and they make these walking tours and fly camping safaris happen.
Night Game Drives
Did you ever ask yourself, “Can we do night game drives in Tarangire?” Yes, these night excursions are permitted in the park. But take note: not all places provide these special tours. Only the ones like Swala and Oliver’s camp, which thoroughly follow TANAPA’s rules and regulations, can run these trips.
Tarangire Balloon Safaris
Experience a unique hot air balloon ride above Tarangire. Glide over the treetops and see wildlife, such as lions and ungulates, from a striking viewpoint right beneath you.
Cost of Tarangire Safari
The price of a Tarangire Safari hinges on your chosen accommodation and planned activities. If you opt for high-end lodgings like Chem Chem Lodge, which costs $1,250 per person, Little Chem Chem, which costs $1,200 a night, or the Kuro Camp, which costs $857 a night, your Tanzania safari price will increase. On the other hand, moderate facilities like Tarangire River Camp and Maramboi tent provide a more affordable safari price. For those on a tight budget, Lake Burunge Tented Camp is a worthy option.
Combine Tarangire Safari with Tanzania National Parks
Looking to add more adventures to your Tarangire Safari? Consider checking out the Ngorongoro Crater. Or you might fancy the Selous Game Reserve. Also, there’s the Serengeti National Park! Don’t forget about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. And last but not least, the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya awaits you!
Getting There to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is not rugged to reach. Good roads link it to Arusha (87 miles/140 kilometers northeast) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (160 kilometers northwest). The nearest air hubs are Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, and the Kuro airstrip in the park’s south area. To sum up, Tarangire National Park welcomes you to discover a less known corner of Tanzanian wilderness. It’s packed with different animal species, one-of-a-kind safari trips, and a wide range of bird types. Tarangire is proof of Tanzania’s diverse wildlife. Whether it’s your initial safari or a repeated one, Tarangire offers a real and exciting adventure. It deserves a spot in any African safari plan.