META DESCRIPTION: Explore Tarangire National Park, home to Africa’s largest elephants, a top destination for bird watching safaris, stunning landscapes, and many more.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK: TANZANIA’S ELEPHANT HAVEN
Are planning an adventure in Tanzania? Tarangire is a perfect destination. Where Tarangire National Park and what is is it famous for? If you are still wondering about this question, we have you covered.
Tarangire is a wildlife destination situated in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania. It takes 2 hours to drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. It is 4,160 square kilometers big and is famous for its large herds of elephants and baobab trees.
The best time to visit Tarangire National Park
Wildlife viewing is ideal during the dry season, while bird watching is perfect in the rainy season. The dry season is always between June and October, while the rainy or wet season is between November and May.
What to see in Tarangire National Park?
You will encounter many attractions in Tarangire National Park. This ranges from wildlife to the Tarangire River, birds, breathtaking landscapes, and stunning vegetation.
Animals in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is home to a diverse array of wild animals. This Park is home to both big games and small animals. Big games include elephants, buffalos, plain zebras, Maasai giraffes, wildebeests, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. Other animals include warthogs and various antelope species, including impalas, elands, oryxes, and lesser kudus.
Topography
The Tarangire ecosystem comprises rolling hills, riverine forests, woodlands, and savannahs. This Park is also close to the Rift Valley escarpment. This creates a stunning view of the horizon.
The vegetation is characterized by plains dotted with baobab trees. There are many baobab trees in the Tarangire, and they make this park famous. The baobab trees are unique for their wide trunk, long life, and capacity to store large amounts of water.
Tarangire River
The never-drying Tarangire River is among the captivating attractions found in Tarangire National Park. As most of the wildlife areas in Tanzania become dry, the Tarangire River still flows. For such a reason, it is usually known as the ‘lifeline’ of Tarangire National Park. Thousands of animals migrate to the banks of this river to relieve their thirst.
The Tarangire River becomes a hot wildlife viewing spot in the dry season. Grass eaters come together at this river while predators use such a chance to get meals.
Birds
Tarangire is a paradise for birders. Over 550 species of birds found in Tarangire are impressive. Here you will encounter three of the Tanzanian endangered bird species. Such species include rufous-tailed weavers, ashy starlings, and yellow-collared lovebirds.
In the woodlands, you may encounter hoopoes, hornbills, brown parrots, and white-bellied go-away birds. Other birds include owls, lilac-breasted rollers, barbets, striped swallows, mousebirds, swifts, and hammerkops.
Other birds include reen-wood hoopoes, southern ground hornbills, double-banded coursers, and greater painted snipes. In addition, you may encounter miombo wren warblers and white-headed buffalo weavers.
Activities in Tarangire National Park
Game drives
Morning game drives will reward you with the views of many active animals. Witness the verdant plains staining yellow as the sun emerges from the east. Clever predators like lions and leopards try to find their kill in the early mornings. If lucky, you may witness such a dramatic scene.
The afternoon game drives are unique. Some animals, however, hide under the shade, burrows, and nests. So, you may miss seeing elusive animals like leopards and cheetahs.
An afternoon game drive is more rewarding if you are looking for big games. Huge elephant herds are a common encounter here.
In the Tarangire National Park, you can explore the wilderness even at night. Night game viewing is legit here. On a night game drive, you may encounter nocturnal species, like African civets, porcupines, jackals, and hyenas. Other nocturnal animals include genets, mongooses, bush babies, and owls, among others.
Hot air balloon safari
A balloon safari is a unique way of exploring the landscapes and wildlife in Tarangire. From a bird’s-eye view, you will explore vegetation, landscapes, and animals in Tarangire National Park. Early in the morning, at around 5:30 a.m., the crew prepared the launch site.
A driver will pick you up from your lodge and transfer you to the site. The pilot will give you a short briefing about the safety precautions and other insights to make your journey safe. After taking off, you will be floating in the air for an hour.
Enjoy unobstructed views of the landscape, wildlife, and Tarangire River, then descend to a prepared landing site. You will enjoy a champagne breakfast and continue with other activities of your safari. What a safari experience!
Bird watching
The diverse species of birds are distributed through the forests of Tarangire National Park. You can view different bird species when driving or on a walking safari.
Colorful singing birds decorate the wilderness. Don’t forget to bring your modern camera and binoculars. A picture is worth a thousand words.
At Bob Geor Adventures and Safaris, we organize safaris in Tanzania. For an exceptional wildlife experience in Tarangire and beyond, connect with our safari experts to craft your perfect adventure.
