Tanzania Safari Guide to Tarangire

Tarangire National Park

A comfortable drive from Arusha makes Tarangire an easy safari stop for guests travelling the northern circuit to Ngorongoro or Serengeti. However, most Tanzania safari travelers push on and this leaves Tarangire a best-kept secret on the northern safari circuit. Tarangire is a year-round park with distinct seasons offering different experiences. The dry season sees a multitude of wildlife around the river and the green season is full of new-born animals.

Ancient vistas in Tarangire

The vast number of baobabs seen when entering Tarangire National Park signifies an ancient place, an Africa of the past. The park is dotted with these majestic trees and provides for picture postcard photographs – especially when elephants, of which there are numerous in Tarangire, are feeding beneath the trees. In fact baobabs and elephants typify the soul of the park.

Tarangire's vegetation consists of dry, open woodlands, which include acacia thickets, acacia tortillis trees and the occasional palm tree. In the south of the park there is a network of huge, flat swamps. These swamps are impassable during the rains.

Wildlife and the seasons of Tarangire

During the dry season (June to October), Tarangire competes with Ngorongoro Crater with relation to the wildlife concentrations. Many migratory animals are found at the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, elephants, impala, giraffe, eland and oryx will stay in Tarangire until the onset of the rains when they migrate again to other good grazing areas.

Tarangire National Park has some of the highest density of elephant anywhere in Tanzania. Lion and leopard are common throughout Tarangire, whilst cheetah are seen in the open areas of the south. Spotted hyenas are regularly seen, but sightings of wild dog are rare.

Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Tarangire, with screeching flocks of the colourful yellow-collared lovebird, the rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling, all of which are endemic to Tanzania.

Stay at Lemala Tarangire safari lodge