It is overlooked by a dramatic escarpment ascending to the Ngorongoro Crater. Lying in the heart of Maasai country, it makes a fabulous introduction to Tanzania’s diverse peoples, landscapes, wildlife and ancient towering baobab trees that leave you in awe with its strange and unusual beauty.
Tarangire National Park experiences two distinct seasons. The dry season typically lasts from July to November, and this is when the wildlife is at its most abundant. The wettest months are April, May and December, when roads can become impassable.
Large populations of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, eland, impala and warthog all go in search of water. Lion and hyena follow accordingly. Like nearby Lake Manyara, Tarangire's lions and leopards are tree-climbing, and can be spotted lounging in the branches of sausage trees. Perhaps most impressive are the large herds of elephant that congregate along the riverbanks - it is sometimes possible to see over 500 in a day and some localized antelope species, such as the fringe-eared Oryx and gerenuk.
The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with birdlife including the ashy starling, yellow-collared lovebird, yellow-billed and saddle-billed, orange-bellied parrots, Kori bustards, ostriches, ground hornbills and red-and-yellow barbets. In total more than 500 species can be seen here, the place with the most breeding species in one habitat in anywhere the world.
Tarangire National Park is a short way from Arusha and is an ideal place to stay for a couple of nights at the beginning or end of a 'northern circuit' safari experience.
Why Visit Tarangire National Park, Northern Tanzania.
- The large elephant herds that congregate in the water holes.
- Visit a bird enthusiast haven with over 500 species seen here.
- It’s strange and unusual landscapes and large baobab trees.
- The abundant wildlife found in Tarangire National Park.
