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Tarangire National Park – Facts, Wildlife & Safaris
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most rewarding reserves and part of the northern safari circuit, which includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara. It is one of Tanzania’s lesser-known parks with excellent wildlife densities, rivaling the celebrated Serengeti National Park. Tarangire National Park is the best place to see herds of elephants and an abundance of bird species, and the icing of the cake is that there are usually fewer tourists.
Table of Contents
- Tarangire National Park at a Glance
- Attractions in Tarangire National Park
- Why visit Tarangire National Park?
- Best time to visit Tarangire National Park
- How to get to Tarangire National Park
- Accommodations in Tarangire
- Combining Tarangire National Park with other destinations
- Trips to inspire your planning
Tarangire National Park at a Glance
Established in 1970, Tarangire National Park is the sixth-biggest park in Tanzania located in the north-eastern region, sprawling over 2,850 km² area (1,100 square miles) not far from Arusha, the starting point of trips to the northern safari circuit.
Tarangire National Park is one of several world-class conservation areas in Tanzania and boasts some of the highest animal densities. The stunning landscapes are a photographer’s dream, and the high number of scenic baobab trees and extensive marshlands make up swathes of the reserve.
Although Tarangire National Park is easily accessible from Arusha, it is the least-visited reserve on the so-called Northern Safari Circuit. However, don’t let that put you off: a safari to Tarangire guarantees some of Tanzania’s best game viewing at the right time of year. As such, it is a perfect destination to add to your itinerary as you visit Lake Manyara just a stone’s throw to the northwest, Ngorongoro Crater, and the celebrated Serengeti.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park’s picturesque landscape is characterized by more dense vegetation than the open grasslands of the Serengeti. There are plenty of grassland plains dotted with the ancient baobab trees, riverine woodlands with thick forest (an ideal cover for leopards), rugged gullies, rocky hills, and bushland. The Tarangire River is the primary river running through the north-south of the park, and thus you also have numerous swamps and floodplains.
Tarangire National Park is best known for thousands of elephants and tree-climbing lions, as well as hosting all the classic African savannah species, including a few unusual ones like the long-necked gerenuk, which you won’t see in the Serengeti.
Tarangire’s dry season will offer you the best opportunities for excellent game viewing as the Tarangire River (running north-south through the park) attracts huge numbers of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and many antelope species between June and October. A Tarangire safari at this time of year delivers excellent sightings of concentrations of animals rivaled only by those in the Ngorongoro Crater but in a largely crowd-free environment.
Home to all the big predators, prides of lions are a common sighting, and you might see cheetahs patrolling the grasslands or a leopard perched in a tree. The park also hosts wild dogs, which have been spotted here before; you have to get lucky to find them, though.
With over 550 species of birds on the tick list, Tarangire is a fabulous birding destination for avid bird watchers. Birds such as flamingos and hornbills are drawn to the park for its lake and numerous swamps, while other species enjoy the plentiful acacias (thorn trees), which are a good foundation for weaving their nests, or deter predators.
Why Visit Tarangire National Park?
- Besides doing game drives in Tarangire, you can embark on walking safaris in different sections of the park, an unforgettable experience not allowed in the other parks of the northern circuit.
- Tarangire is famous for having vast herds of elephants in the country. During the months of July to October (peak migration), around 5,000 of these gentle giants will migrate to Tarangire; sometimes groups of up to 300 elephants can be seen at once. You’ll also find plenty of other mammals.
- Marvel at the enormous African baobab trees, which create a rugged, ‘Out of Africa’ feel. A baobab tree trunk can grow up to around 30 m (100 ft) in circumference. Moreover, these trees can grow to a crazy age.
- You have the opportunity to discover hundreds of ancient rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park: The best time to visit Tarangire National Park is during the long dry season of June to October. These months offer the best opportunities to see thousands of grazers, such as wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes which usually migrate to the park. The animals are drawn by the waters of the Tarangire River, which flows through the middle of the park.
The short rains of November and December trigger a dispersal of animals away from the river since there will be enough pasture and other water sources available. January and February are generally dry, but the rains return in March and become heavy in April and May, which we suggest visitors avoid. This is when much of the park is almost inaccessible and most camps close.
However, the rainy season is the perfect time for bird watching since the park is wet, green, and luscious which attracts migratory birds. It is the breeding season for the endemic and photography is also perfect during this time.
Overall, Tarangire National Park is a great destination to enjoy all-year-round game viewing depending on what activities and experiences you’d like to enjoy during your travels.
How to get to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is typically visited together with Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater as part of the popular northern safari circuit. Most safaris normally start from the town of Arusha on a short drive on tarmac roads, making for a relatively easy-going journey.
The most recommended alternative to get there is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is situated 46 km/29 mi from Arusha. You can also fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) near Dar es Salaam and book a domestic flight to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
There are regular flights from Arusha and the Serengeti to Tarangire. However, it is also a comfortable two-hour road trip from Arusha to the main gate, of which only the last 7km is not tarred. You can also move further on an easy drive to Lake Manyara (100 km/60 mi in about two hours) or the Ngorongoro Crater (180 km/110 mi in about four hours).
Domestic and charter flights between parks are usually booked with several local carriers and included in the tour package by tour operators.
Accommodations in Tarangire
Travelers planning a safari to Tarangire National Park will be pleased to hear that there’s a variety of excellent accommodation options available in the park, ranging from family-friendly camps to romantic hideaways. Some of our favourites here include:
Kuro Tarangire, Sanctuary Swala Camp, and Oliver’s Camp are high-end options and some of the best accommodations in the camp.
Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp delivers an authentic safari experience under traditional canvas, showcasing stunning views over the Tarangire River itself and a pool for a moderate price at the main entrance in the northern part of the park.
Tarangire Treetops is one of the most unique accommodation options, secluded in a private game reserve bordering the park and the Maasai Steppe. The 20 tree houses are built amongst thousand-year-old Baobab trees, affording stunning views of Lake Manyara, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the spectacular Rift Valley wall from expansive private balconies.
Combining Tarangire National Park with other destinations
Tarangire’s proximity to Arusha makes it easily accessible, and it’s often combined with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara, completing Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
Start planning your Tarangire safari today. Get in touch with someone who has been there before and has first-hand experience of all that Tarangire has to offer. Chat with one of our travel experts to help customize a trip that’s right for you.
