Named after the life-giving river that flows its length, Tarangire National Park is Tanzania’s fifth-largest park. If you take the unfenced game-controlled areas that border it into account, the ecosystem is big enough to host some migratory movement of herds. Tarangire National Park has a healthy population of creatures both big and small. The park has plenty of resident animals although some tend to migrate depending on the time of year. The most commonly seen animals are elephants, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, zebras, wildebeests, dwarf mongoose and ostriches. Lions can also be seen, as well as leopards and on some rare occasions even wild dogs have been spotted. Furthermore, the park is home to 550 species of birds and the greater and lesser kudus as well as oryx, also roam the park.
Tarangire National park with its baobab crested landscape is scenically one of the most beautiful parks. Baobab trees tower above the savannah and these age-old trees play a vital role in the eco system as they act as homes for bees, birds and bats. In addition, they provide nourishing fruit and supply animals such elephants with indirect water especially during the drier months.
The south of the park is dominated by marsh land, which is impassable in the wet season but tends to dry out completely in the dry season. The vegetation within the park is extremely diversified and includes open grasslands, savannah, Baobab trees and thick acacia bush as well as palm trees and swamps full of tall elephant grass in the south. Walking safaris are also offered in the southern part of the park.
One of the lesser-known game reserves in Tanzania, Tarangire rivals the Serengeti in the great number and diversity of its wildlife. It is a good choice for travellers who wish to encounter more animals (particularly elephants as it is renowned for frequent sightings) and less tourists while on safari.
June through to November: We recommend that you visit the park in the dry months as most of the animals will head towards the Tarangire river to remain hydrated. This will provide travellers with excellent game viewing opportunities. It is primarily a dry season park – not because animals are impossible to spot in the rains, but because animals actually migrate out of the park in the lower season months.