TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire national park is an incredible Tanzania safari destination located in the in the Mara region of Tanzania in the northern region of the country, the park is situated in the northern Tanzania safari circuit, south of Lake Manyara, about 118 kilometers from Arusha city and 70 kilometers from Lake Manyara national park.
The park is also situated close to Serengeti national park, Lake Manyara national park and Ngorongoro conservation area, because of the close proximity Tarangire national park and these amazing Tanzania wildlife safari destinations can be combined in one safari.
The park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometers dominated by the iconic baobab trees, savannah and acacia woodlands and it is crossed by Tarangire River from which the park gets its name. The park is famously known for the iconic baobab trees, these trees have a fascinating strange appearance with stunted root-like branches, these trees are traditionally believed to have displeased a deity who promptly plucked them and thrust
The park was first established and gazetted as a game reserve in 1957 and was later gazetted as a national park in 1970.
Tarangire national park is an incredible habitat for a spectacular concentration of wildlife species recorded to be more than 58 species of large and small mammals and over 550 bird species, the park is famously known for being a habitat to a large population of elephants. There are other wildlife species found in the park and these include zebras, buffaloes, impalas, hartebeests, lions, Oryx, olive baboons, honey badgers, greater kudu, African wild dogs, vervet monkeys, grant’s gazelles, waterbucks, dik-dik, giraffes among others.
TANZANIA SAFARI TO DO IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Game drives
Tarangire national park is a popular destination for Tanzania safari, the park is a home to a variety of wildlife species calling the park a home and they are best seen during game viewing experience, the park has 5 routes running through the park which are used on game drives. These routes include The Gursi and Lamarku routes found in the Southern region of the park, the western Lake Barungi route and Kitibong Hill route.
During your game drive that is either morning game drive, afternoon game drive or evening game drive, you get to enjoy watching many animals such as black rhinos, leopards, Oryx, hartebeests, impalas, cape buffaloes, zebras, elephants among others which are worth taking pictures and seeing from the widow of your car.
Bird watching
The park is one of the best destinations for birding safaris in Tanzania, the park is a home to over 550 species of birds which will make your Tanzania birding safari an amazing one. Birds in the park are best done in the woodlands, swamps near the Tarangire River and the Lemiyon Triangle in the northernmost end of the park.
Some of the beautiful birds you will enjoy spotting in the park include African grey flycatcher, Ashy starling, Bare-faced go-away bird, Donaldson-Smith’s nightjar, Great white pelican, Mouse-coloured penduline tit, Northern pied babbler, Northern white-crowned shrike, Ostrich, Pink-breasted lark, Rufous-tailed weaver, Slate-coloured boubou, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Vulturine guineafowl, Yellow-collared lovebird and many more
Birding in the park best done in from November to April when resident species begin to nest and migratory bird species from Europe and North Africa are present in the park.
Nature walks and Sightseeing
Nature walks and sightseeing is one of the most memorable and thrilling Tanzania safaris in the park, this activity takes you on a walk in the savannah plains of the park using trails most especially along the Tarangire river. While on this activity you get to enjoy spectacular views of the nature, the iconic baobab trees and many animals flocking the banks of the river to drink water such as cape buffaloes, zebras, gazelles among others.
Another perfect site for nature walks and sightseeing in the park is the Silale swamp of 30 square kilometers, in this swamp you get an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife species such as predators, tree climbing pythons among others.
Nature walks in Tarangire national park usually last for about 1 to 3 hours and they are done with an experienced and armed guide.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours in Tarangire national park are thrilling experience offering a very different safari experience in Tarangire a part park wildlife, Tanzania safaris in Tarangire national park take you on a visit to Maasai or Barabaig village situated along Kolo and Dodoma road. The Maasai or Barabaig Village is situated near the Maasai steep and the village inhabits the Maasai tribe which is one of amazing tribes in Kenya.
In the Maasai Village during your visit, you get to learn more about the unique ways of the maasai people and their way of living including dressing, houses (the circular bomas), be entertained by music and dances, taste locally made dishes among others.
While on Tanzania cultural tours you can also visit schools and villages which are supported by Nimali where you will interact with the locals and learn more about their daily life and challenges they go through.
WHERE TO STAY IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Accommodation in the park is got from various internationally recognized safari lodges, tented camps and camps offering a comfortable stay to tourists on a Tanzania safari in Tarangire national park. Accommodation in Tarangire national park is categorized as luxury, midrange and budget and they include Nimali Tarangire tented camp, Acacia Tarangire luxury camp, Sanctuary Swala camp, Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge, Ecoscience science center and luxury lodge, Tarangire sopa lodge, Ang’ata Tarangire camp, Kikoto Tented camp, Sangaiwe tented lodge among others.
HOW TO GET TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire national park lies in the Northern safari circuit of Tanzania and most of the safaris to the park start from Arusha city, international travelers getting to Tarangire national park on a Tanzania safari use Kilimanjaro International airport situated approximately 46 kilometers from Arusha city.
From Arusha city you get to the Tarangire national park using both road and air means of transport,
By road: Tarangire national park is situated in a distance of approximately 140 kilometers on a drive of about 3 hours, by road tourists have an option of using either private or public vehicles. By road you can also connect to the park from other national park situated in the Tanzania northern safari circuit such as Serengeti national park, Lake Manyara national park and Ngorongoro conservation area.
By air: chartered flights to the park are offered from Arusha’s Arusha airport to one of the airstrips serving Serengeti national park which is situated close to Tarangire national park, these chartered flights are offered by Zan Air, Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link among other flying to Ndutu airstrio, Kirawira, Grumeti airstrip and then connect to the park by car.
