Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is the sixth-largest national park in Tanzania. It lies between the grasslands of the Maasai Steppe and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley, and the Tarangire River runs through it.

The park takes its name from the Tarangire River, its main source of water, which keeps the plants and wildlife going. With its huge baobab trees, Tarangire looks quite different from the other parks in the country.

The varied landscape, dotted with termite mounds and baobabs, makes Tarangire a great park to visit. Even so, it's one of the least visited parks on the northern circuit. Most people stop here on the way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

In the dry season, Tarangire has the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after the Serengeti, so the game viewing is excellent. It's famous for its big herds of elephants, sometimes up to 3000 animals, and it's also known for its tree-climbing lions and pythons.

A Brief History of Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park was set up in 1970 to protect the area's special ecosystem and its wildlife. The Tarangire River, which flows through the middle of the park, has long been a lifeline for animals, especially in the dry season, when water runs short in the areas around it.

The park's name comes from the local Maasai word “Tarangire,” which refers to the way the river winds through the park's varied landscapes. Over the years, Tarangire has become an important conservation area that helps protect its elephants, one of the largest populations in East Africa.

Best Time to Visit

• Dry Season (June to October): Best for game viewing, as animals gather around water.
• Wet Season (November to May): Green landscapes and excellent birdwatching, but the animals are more spread out.

Activities To Do

Here's what you can do in Tarangire National Park:

• Night game drives
• Walking safaris
• Mountain bike tours
• Game drives
• Hot air balloon safaris
• Cultural tours

What to See

Elephants

Tarangire has one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania, and you can see herds of up to 300 elephants at once. Watching them gather at the river or under the baobab trees is one of the highlights of a visit.

Big Cats

Lions are often seen resting under trees or stalking prey near the river. Leopards are harder to find, but you can often see them lying in tree branches.

Plains Game

Zebras, wildebeests, impalas, elands and gazelles roam the park's grasslands. In the dry season, big herds gather near water, which gives predators good chances to hunt.

Giraffes

Tarangire is a great place to see giraffes feeding on acacia trees or walking slowly across the savannah.

Birdlife

With more than 500 bird species, Tarangire is a great park for birdwatchers.

How To Get There

Safari Van:

Arusha, the nearest town and the starting point for most trips on the northern circuit, is about a 2-3 hour drive from Tarangire. You can also take a shuttle bus from Arusha to Tarangire National Park.

Flight:

The nearest international airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport. You can also take a charter flight from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Tarangire airstrip.