Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is an attractive, quiet park in Northern Tanzania and is located slightly off the main Tanzania safari route. Tarangire is a gem due to the concentration of the game which is exceptional from July through to October, especially for Elephant lovers.  Tarangire is a highlight compared to the two giant parks – Serengeti and Ngorongoro due to the concentration of peak months of July through October the safari game drives is quiet and amazing. And also, the atmosphere and habitats are completely different from other parks.

It is the vast number of baobabs that first capture the eye as you enter Tarangire National Park. The gently rolling countryside is dotted with these majestic trees, which seem to dwarf the animals that feed beneath them.

Location of Tarangire National Park

It is 120 km from Arusha, bordered by the Tarangire Wildlife conservation area to the northeast, an area set apart by the government, to cater to the needs of the local people as a grazing ground for their herds.

Geography of Tarangire National Park

The park owes its name to the Tarangire River, which flows across the area. It is characterized by dense vegetation of acacia and mixed woodland, the area around Tarangire River, however, is dominated by huge baobab trees and old doum palm trees to a lesser prominence, as well as black cotton grass. Though it is not as famous as other parks in the north, Tarangire offers the same attractions as other parks in the north. Its unique aspect is the annual animal immigration that takes place during the dry season.

Wildlife Migration at Tarangire

While Serengeti’s animal migration has attained mundane fame, for many tourists, little is known of Tarangire annual migration. The difference with Serengeti, however, is that, in Serengeti, animals migrate away from the park during the dry season (June to October), the opposite happens in Tarangire; animals migrate from Maasai Steppe to the park during the dry season. They migrate to the park in search of water, which is provided by the Tarangire River, and predators migrate along in search of prey. During this period the park has the largest concentration of animals than in any park in northern Tanzania.

Wildlife in Tarangire

June to October is the best time to see a large number of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, and hartebeest. Not all animals are migratory though, other animals such as giraffes, Impala, Eland, lesser kudu, waterbuck, gazelle, and sometimes rhinos or leopards can be seen throughout the year. More people are attracted by the giant pythons and large herds of elephants. the park is also famous for migrant birds.