Tarangire National Park has an incredible diversity of landscapes and vegetation and is famous for the large number of elephants, baobabs and climbing lions. The topography of the hills covered with baobabs and anthills is divided by the river Tarangire which attracts a large number of animals migrating in the dry season.
Nearby there is a natural protected area managed by ten Maasai communities and established in the year 2003 to protect the migratory corridor between lake Tarangire, lake Manyara and Manyara ranch. In the wet season this area attracts large flocks of flamingos and other aquatic birds.
During these months the concentration of animals along the river Tarangire is nearly as diverse as in the Ngorongoro crater. When the rains arrive in April and May the animals disperse. In June and July gazelles and oryx return followed by elephants, zebras and wildebeest.
Slightly off the popular northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, the park lies between the meadows of Masai Steppe to the south east and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. Within the northern part of Tarangire is the permanent River Tarangire also known as the life-line of the park particularly in the dry season when most of the region is totally dry. This flows northwards until it exits the park in the northwestern corner to pour into Lake Burungi. There are a number of wide swamps which dry into green plains during the dry season in the south. During you Safari in Tarangire, You are highly recommended to stay for a couple of days especially in the south of the park which offers a less crowded safari experience and gives you the opportunity to enjoy an authentic African feel of the Tanzania’s countryside.
Tarangire and you will be able to encounter various animals. This park is home to one of the largeset elephant populations in Africa with several herds of up to 300 members per herd. In addition, there are large numbers of impalas, elands, buffaloes, giraffes, Bohor reedbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, Thompson’s gazelle, the greater and lesser kudu and on rare occasions, the unusual gerenuk and fringe –eared Oryx are also seen. A few black rhinos are also thought to be still present in this park. You will obviously see big numbers of elephants gather here as well as the wildebeests and zebras. Among the other common animals in the Tarangire are the leopards, lions, hyenas, and cheetah that seem to be popular within the southern open areas. The wild dogs are only seen once in a while
Each year, from June to November, Tarangire hosts a wildlife migration. While not as dramatic as the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, it still attracts a significant number of animals. Due to the dry conditions in much of the region, the Tarangire River becomes the only available water source, drawing large herds of wildebeests, elephants, gazelles, zebras, hartebeests, and buffaloes, along with various predators like lions who come to drink and graze along the riverbanks. During the wet season, from November to May, zebras and large wildebeest herds head northwest toward the Rift Valley floor, joining the many animals that spread across the vast open spaces of the Maasai Steppe and extending all the way to Lake Manyara.
The permanent Tarangire River is the most dominant feature here and it’s after this river that the park was named. there are a number of large swamps that feed off some of its tributaries however, these are usually dry for most of the year but get very impassable during the rains .The Tarangire park is usually very dry, in fact drier than the Serengeti, however its vegetation is much more green especially with lots of elephant grass, vast areas with mixed acacia woodlands and some of the wonderful ribbons of the aquatic forest not to forget the giant baobab tree that can live up to 600 years storing between 300 and 900 liters of water
The primary Tanzania safari activity in this park is game driving however if you live outside the park boundaries you might be able to enjoy walking tours. and night safaris. Currently Oliver’s Camp organizes walking tours as well as fly camping safaris.
one would wonder, are night game drives allowed in Tarangire? Well Night Game Drives are allowed in the park however, not all accommodations offer these tours. Only those that have properly established all the requirements and regulations offered by TANAPA such as Swala and Oliver’s camp are allowed to conduct these walks.
Join a hot air balloon ride over the Tarangire as you soar over the treetops of the Tarangire to enjoy an exceptional perspective of wildlife like lions and ungulates right below you
This is another common activity within the Tarangire during which devotees will be able to spot various bird species.
Tanzania boasts some of the world’s most iconic safari destinations, offering an unforgettable experience for adventure lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a peaceful escape in the wild. From the Serengeti’s vast plains to the Ngorongoro Crater’s diverse wildlife, each destination promises incredible wildlife sightings, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep connection with nature. Explore the top safari spots in Tanzania with us.
