Tarangire National Park is 121 km from Arusha; Tanzania’s gateway to safaris. Tarangire has the highest population density of elephants anywhere in Tanzania. Huge herds of elephants rival the park’s gigantic, squat baobab trees as its most celebrated feature. You’ll find ancient matriarchs, and feisty young bulls. Plus of course, the tiny, stumbling calves that are ever-present to fascinate visitors with their grace, intelligence, and majesty.
Tarangire National Park’s sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia trees, certainly makes it a beautiful and special location. Fall in love with the real Africa. Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris traveling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. We recommend at least a 2-night stop to really appreciate the magic here. However, 3 nights is ideal.
The Silale Swamp on the eastern edge of Tarangire is a magnet for wildlife year-round. It acts like a sponge during the rainy season and slowly releases water during the dry season. This brings great numbers of wildlife from outside of Tarangire to the permanent water source offered by the Silale Swamps.
Tarangire National Park Activities
Activities include day and night safari game drives, walking safaris, bird watching, and also hot air balloon safaris. In fact, Tarangire is one of the only national parks in the northern circuit where night drives are permitted. So guests have the opportunity to see a variety of nocturnal animals. Such as porcupines, genets, civets, bush babies, etc.
Tarangire National Park pelicans
Birding in Tarangire
Over 550 different bird species are found here. Of which several are threatened or endemic. Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s best birding parks. If not the best. Bird species in the park range from migratory species to aquatic species. And endemic species among others. Bird lovers should keep an eye open for flocks of dazzlingly colorful Yellow-collared Lovebirds.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park
During Tarangire’s dry season; day after day of cloudless skies seems to suck all moisture from the landscape. This turns the waving grasses to platinum blonde. As brittle as straw. The Tarangire River is a mere shadow of itself. Just a trickle of water choked with wildlife. Thirsty antelope and elephants have wandered hundreds of parched kilometers to Tarangire’s permanent water source.
Herds of elephants; up to three hundred strong; dig in the damp earth of the riverbed. Searching for underground springs. While wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and gazelle mingle with rare species such as eland and oryx around each shrinking lagoon. Python climb into the shade of the trees that line Tarangire’s massive southern swamps. They just hang there like giant malignant fruit. Coiled neatly over the branches in a perfect sphere.
The best time to visit Tarangire for a safari is during the dry season. This is from July to October. This is when the greatest concentration of wildlife; outside the Serengeti ecosystem is found. During the wet season, many of the mammals in Tarangire can migrate out of the park. However, the experience can be extremely rewarding for those that travel outside of these months. Most especially for keen birders.
The only month to avoid is April when almost every camp is closed for the long rainy season.
Getting to Tarangire National Park and Accommodation Information
A road transfer from Arusha to Tarangire’s Northern Gate will take around 2 hours. However, the better camp locations are found in the south of the park, which can be up to a further 2 hours’ drive from the gate. Kuro airstrip is in the center of the park. There are several scheduled flights connecting the park with other safari destinations. These include Arusha, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam.
The park and surrounding areas are also home to more than 30 x camps and lodges. These range from five-star premium properties to value properties. Some are located around Lake Burunge, just outside of the park to the northwest, and others on the northern and eastern boundaries.
The park is south of nearby Lake Manyara National Park and some camps are conveniently located to become a base to visit both parks.
