Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park

Introduction to Tarangire

With a landscape and vegetation so rich, this is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania and is not to be missed. Named after its river, Tarangire National park wildlife connection in the dry season is just as diverse and consistent as in the Ngorongoro Crater with large herds of elephants that are drawn to the riverbeds to quench their thirst. While other migratory animals such as wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and impala will gather the shrinking lagoons, against the ever so picturesque backdrop of giant Baobab trees and the hilly landscape. Tarangire is a majestically beautiful park to be seen with its unique migration during the wet and dry season.

Elephant Eden

Often referred to as an Elephant Eden, Tarangire offers an up-close-and-personal experience with the elephants within a safe distance. Our guest can watch big herds of elephant cross right in front of their vehicle, or witness these wondered animals interact playfully with each other in the open. With an estimated 3,000 elephant in the park, Tarangire is said to have largest elephant population in Northern Tanzania. During the dry season up to 300 herds of elephants will scratch the dry river bed for an underground stream with their extraordinary smelling abilities, along with their strength to dig down to the water source, as a result, creates an abundant supply of other animals in the area.

Other Wildlife

The Tarangire River also attracts an impressive diversity of wildlife such as the migrating herbivorous zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo, as well as the resident herbivores like impalas, gazelle, Oryx and gerenuk, bushbuck, water back, dik-dik, warthog, kudu and reedbuck. Large predatory animals such as lions, cheetahs and leopards can also be sighted with more time spent inside the park. With our guide taking you to the further interior and exclusive areas of the park.  African wild dog sightings are rare, but they have recently been spotted in different areas in and near the national park.

Birding

A large variety of bird species can be found in the swamp, making this the biggest breeding habitats in the world. One of the leading attractions for birders would be the variety of raptors that can be spotted within the park, such as Batelour Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle, Fish Eagle, Step Eagle and Sported Eagle Owl.  Other birdlife includes the Kori Bustards, the Stocking Thighed Ostrich, as well as ground homibilis. For the keen birder, the ones to look out for would be the colourful yellow coloured Lover Bird, Rufours-lailed Weaver, and Ashy Starling, which are all endemic to Northern Tanzania.

Things to Do

Guided Walk

Early morning and late afternoon guided walks can be arranged depending on the guest’s schedule. This walk will typically be a ground walking safari, led by a park ranger. Walking safari can be organized independently through the park authorities, or arranged directly by the lodge or camp.  You will be staying at Oliver’s Camp Treetops or Swala Sanctuary which both offer guided walks. On walking safaris, you will have the opportunity to encounter of foot giraffes, elephants, kudus, antelope, and other wildlife from a safe distance.

Night Game Drive

This is a fantastic way to discover Tarangire in a completely different setting to daytime game drives for this activity you will be in an open vehicle with a drive and local Masai.  Spot the animals such as porcupines, genets bush babies and the occasional hippos and leopards who hang about at night.  These night game drives can be organized through Tarangire Safari Lodge, Olivers Camp, Swala Sanctuary, and Tarangire Treetops.

Recommended lodges

  • Olivers Camp
  • Swala Sanctuary
  • Tarangire Treetops.
  • Tarangire Safari Lodge
  • Maromboi Tented Camp
  • Lake Burunge Tented Camp
  • Tloma