Plan a Trip to Tarangire Safari!
Often described as Tanzania’s most underrated national park, Tarangire National Park is one of Africa’s little-known gems and a must for any northern circuit itinerary. Receiving just a fraction of the Serengeti’s visitors means more space and exclusivity for those who do make it there. Boasting a variety of wildlife as diverse as its landscape, Tarangire is also the park that boasts the largest population of elephants in Tanzania—making it arguably the best place in the world to see African elephants.
With four of the Big Five also residing inside the park, it’s a terrific spot for a day itinerary. Tarangire National Park is located between the meadows of Maasai Steppe to the south east and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west, about 120 kilometers outside of Arusha. Being one of the most seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire has a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. All of this makes Tarangire one of the best parks to revisit on a second or third safari as it always has something new to show you.
Plants and animals in Tarangire National Park
Covering about 2,600 square kilometers, Tarangire is known to host large concentrations of elephants and buffalos. In Tarangire, the herds of up to the 300 elephants can be stunningly viewed drinking water around the swamps or at the bank of the Tarangire River.
Tarangire National Park is also rich in ungulates in the names of migratory wildebeest, eland, gazelle, impala, zebras, kudu, rhino, hartebeest buffalo and other smaller mammals who in many occasions tend to migrate outside the park during the extreme rainy season.
If you like cats, Tarangire isn’t short of them either, In fact, it is reported that the park is home for more than 700 lions, while there is also a good number of leopards and cheetahs.
As you can tell Tarangire has a very high concentration of wildlife so don’t get surprised to see more other animals in the park including various primates and even the tree-climbing pythons.
Birds Paradise
Tarangire is undoubtedly among the most birds’ concentrated parks in the country. With more than 500 species of birds recorded at the moment I am writing, the park is a truly a unique birding destination.
As I have mentioned somewhere in this guide, Tarangire National Park is characterized by a good number of swamps and it is these swamps that attract hundreds of birds day after day making the park an ideal birding destination for most safari makers who like birdlife.
Some of the birds who can be viewed at a large batch in Tarangire National Park are the colorful Yellow-collared lovebirds, flamingos, the Kori bustard (should I remind you these are the heaviest flying species of bird?), the stocking-thighed ostrich, and hornbills just to name a few. In fact, it is even reported by soft schools that in the Tarangire national park there are more breeding species of birds than anywhere else in the world.
To some of the wildlife of the Tarangire National Park, I should say again that the park is known to have the largest concentration of elephants on the planet, not to mention that the park has the second-highest concentration of wildlife only behind the mighty Serengeti National Park.
When it comes to plants, Tarangire National Park is blessed with Acacia woodland, Combretum woodland, and baobab trees while getting seasonally flooded by grasslands and occasional palm trees.
Best Things to do at Tarangire National Park
Speaking about the activities, you can go on guided walking safaris, game drives, and cultural visits to neighboring villages. Tarangire is also among a few parks that give you the opportunity to do a night game drive if that is your thing.
- Overall, Tarangire is the best place where you can go and enjoy;
- Fantastic wildlife viewing
- Go and experience the magnificent concentration of elephants in the park
- Treat yourself with one of the excellent birding experiences you can find nowhere else on the planet.
- Enjoy the remarkable scenery made of uncountable baobab & acacia trees
How much does it cost to visit Tarangire National Park?
Tarangire safari tours have many options based on your safari interests. This park can be visited within a single day or you can also enjoy your game drive in multi-day safari.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of this park, multi tours experiences could be a perfect choice