Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park : Tarangire’s quieter side may be seen in the park’s southern section, which is famous for its baobabs and enormous elephant herds. The Maasai Steppe grasslands to the south-east and the Great Rift Valley lakes to the north and west make up Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire River, which flows through increasingly incised ravines until it leaves the park in the north-western corner and empties into Lake Burungi, dominates the northern part of Tarangire. During the dry season, large swamps in the south dry out and become lush plains.
Although Tarangire is one of just four parks on Tanzania’s sometimes-bustling “northern circuit,” many mini-bus trips either skip it or give it less than 24 hours. As a result, few people venture beyond the park’s crowded northern section, which houses the majority of the park’s campers and lodges. If you visit Tarangire, we recommend spending a few days in the park’s south, which receives few visitors and keeps a true wilderness atmosphere.
Where is Tarangire National Park?
Tarangire National Park is found in Tanzania’s Manyara Region in northern Tanzania. Tarangire Park, near Mount Kilimanjaro, is roughly two hours (120 kilometers) away from Arusha, The Tanzania Tourism city. The national park is part of the Northern Tanzanian Safari Circuit, which is Tanzania’s most popular wildlife viewing location.
Tarangire is located southeast of Lake Manyara National Park and northwest of the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Park. Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, which is close to Kenya’s southern border, is made up of these outstanding wildlife parks.
Flora and Fauna of Tarangire National Park
The permanent Tarangire River, which runs the length of the park, and the seasonal marshes, which are often dry for much of the year, are the park’s most visible features/ attractions. Despite being drier than the Serengeti, Tarangire’s vegetation is significantly denser, with densely packed elephant grass, extensive patches of mixed acacia forests, and some wonderful riverine forest ribbons.
Mammals
Consider Tarangire as part of a wider ecology/ecosystem, and you’ll see why the game animals changes with the seasons. Between November and May, some of the park’s species migrate north to Lake Manyara or east to the Maasai Steppe. When those locations become drier, the animals return to Tarangire’s marshes, particularly its river system, from June to October. This is the best time to visit Tarangire for a game-viewing safari, which may be spectacular. Elephant herds, as well as many wildebeest and zebra, assemble in enormous numbers here. Impala, giraffe, eland, and buffalo populations are also significant. Here you’ll find Thompson’s gazelle, Coke’s hartebeest, bohor reedbuck, and both greater and lesser kudu.
The rare and localized gerenuk and fringe-eared Oryx can also be seen here, though they are extremely rare. A few black rhinos are still thought to exist in the park. Lions and leopards can be found throughout Tarangire, but cheetahs prefer the more open southern parts. Hyenas are always there, and while wild dogs occasionally travel through, sightings of them are uncommon.
Tarangire’s Birdlife
Tarangire’s wetland sections are generally green all year, attracting around 550 different bird species. The number of breeding bird species in these marshes is thought to be the highest in the world. Yellow-collared lovebirds are frequently seen in the riverine vegetation along the Tarangire River. This region of Tanzania is also home to rufous-tailed weavers and ashy starlings. Ostriches and ground hornbills are frequently seen in the drier areas.
Vegetation
Tarangire’s vegetation is largely comprised of dry, open forests with thorny acacia thickets and a large number of the park’s trademark baobab trees. There are also some lovely Acacia tortilis trees with flat tops and the rare palm tree. A huge network of marshes may be found in the south of the park, nestled among the rolling forests.
When is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park?
In quest of food and water, game congregates along the Tarangire River and in its marshes. During the dry season From June to October, the dense undergrowth of the game park thins out, allowing for greater wildlife viewing and this become the best time to go on a Tarangire safari for wildlife viewing.
During the dry season, which lasts from June to October, the Tarangire River attracts incredible herds of animals. At this moment, the elephant population is incredible. Make it a point to include this park in your northern Tanzania trip. Elephants congregate in great numbers during the dry months of June through October. The game gathers along the river after migrating from the Masaai Mara.
Getting to Tarangire
The entry point of Tarangire national park is Kilimanjaro International airport located just few kilometers from Arusha. After landing to Kilimanjaro international airport you can get to Tarangire through road transport which is a short drive of about three hours from the airport. Tarangire is around 120 kilometers from Arusha, in the south-east corner of Manyara National Park. Tarangire is one of northern Tanzania’s most seasonal parks, with a lot of migratory activity within the wider Tarangire ecosystem.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN TARANGIRE
Tanzania has the largest elephant population.
The Tarangire NP’s largest elephant population, which is regarded to be the highest in Tanzania, is one of the main attractions that has helped it become world famous safari park. As the dry season develops from June to October, and the terrain becomes increasingly dryer, you’ll encounter big elephant herds of up to 300 elephants mining the dry riverbed of the Tarangire River in search of underground streams of water to quench their thirst.
The arrival of the rains, on the other hand, provides plenty of pastures and water, causing the animals to disperse throughout the park; however, due to the large number of elephants that live here, these land giants can still be seen even during the rainy season.
Other Wildlife/Animals in Tarangire
This park, with a surface area of 2,850 square kilometers, is home to a variety of animals, including zebras hunting for underground streams in dry river beds and herds of up to 300 elephants. Migratory wildebeest, eland, gazelle, impala, zebras, kudu, rhino, hartebeest buffalo, and other smaller species congregate around the decreasing lagoons. Dry country antelopes such as the long-necked gerenuk and fringe-eared Oryx are also frequently seen. Like in any other park in northern Tanzania, the dense forest usually hides the main predators, who are always there but difficult to spot.
Birdlife in Tarangire
Enjoy seeing a diverse range of beautiful and rare bird species. The marshes of Tarangire are home to around 550 distinct bird species. Tarangire is a well-known safari site for bird lovers who find themselves captivated for lengthy periods of time. Crested francolins, hoopoes, yellow-necked sparrow, hornbills, guinea fowl, steppe eagles, brown parrots, the enormous lappet-faced vulture, white-bellied go away bird, bateleur eagles, moosebirds, Kori bustards, yellow-collared lovebirds, bee-eaters, lilac breasted are some of the common birds to be seen in your Tarangire safari holiday.
The giant baobab tree
The baobab tree, popularly known as the Tree of Life, is another distinctive feature that can be found in Tarangire National Park. It has a “gigantic” trunk that can hold up to 300 liters and 1000 liters of water. They have a long lifespan and can live for up to 600 years. The edible seeds of this tree are a substantial source of food for a variety of animals. Elephants, on the other hand, sharpen their massive tusks on the bark of these trees.
The Swamps
The park is made up of a vast network of marshes that may be found primarily in Tarangire’s southern and eastern regions. Tree-climbing pythons, Silale-swamp lions, African wild dogs, cape buffaloes, and even elephants have made their homes in these swamps. Donaldson-nightjar, Smith’s the Vulturine Guinea fowl some of the bird species that can be found in this area.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Game drives and walking tours
Game driving is the principal safari activity in this area, but walking tours are possible if you reside outside of the park’s boundaries.
Night Game Drives
Is it possible to go on night game drives in Tarangire? Although Night Game Drives are permitted in the park, not all tour companies and lodges provide this experience. Only individuals who have followed all of TANAPA’s standards and procedures are the ones permitted to lead these treks.
Balloon Safaris
Join a hot air balloon safari over the Tarangire as you soar above the Tarangire’s trees, getting a unique perspective of wildlife such as lions and ungulates just below you.
Bird watching
This is another popular pastime in the Tanzanian Tarangire, where enthusiasts can see a variety of bird species and make their safari to Tarangire perfect and more enjoyable.
Walking safaris
This will give you a greater understanding of the smaller animals in the wild, as well as a better approach to spotting them at close range without disturbing them. Take an excursion to a Masaai or Barabaig village with several antique murals near Kolo on the Dodoma route to experience a different world.
You can visit Tarangire National Park on your Tanzania safari, depending on your interest in wildlife and bird watching. The dry season, which runs from June to September, is the best time to see a lot of animals and is also the best time to go on a Tanzania safari.
