TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
join us on a tarangire safari!
Tarangire National Park, one of Africa’s lesser-known treasures and a must-see for any northern circuit itinerary, is frequently referred to as Tanzania’s least visited national park. For those who do make it to the Serengeti, having a smaller number of visitors means greater room and exclusivity. In addition to having the greatest population of elephants in Tanzania, Tarangire is home to a broad array of species, making it possibly the best spot in the world to watch African elephants.
With four of the Big Five also residing inside the park, it’s a terrific spot for a day trip from Arusha or as an addition to a Serengeti/Ngorongoro focused itinerary. Tarangire National Park is located between the meadows of Maasai Steppe to the south east and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west, about 120 kilometers outside of Arusha. Being one of the most seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire has a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. All of this makes Tarangire one of the best parks to revisit on a second or third safari as it always has something new to show you.
WILDLIFE IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
The season will determine which wild animals you can observe in this park. Between November and May, several animals depart the park. During the dry season, which runs from June to October, the game returns to the Tarangire marshes, particularly to the river system. At that time, migrating buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland cluster around the dwindling lagoons, while herds of up to 300 elephants explore the arid riverbank for subsurface springs. The park is the only location in Tanzania where dry-country antelope, such as the fringe-eared Oryx and long-necked gerenuk, are frequently sighted. It also has the highest concentration of species outside the Serengeti, making it a veritable meal for predators. With 550 bird species centered on the marshes and the highest number of breeding species in a single habitat worldwide, Tarangire is a well-known safari destination for avian enthusiasts.
Among other common animals in Tarangire are leopards, lions, hyenas, and cheetah that seem to be popular within the southern open areas, but the thick vegetation usually hides the main predators and makes them harder to spot compared to other parks in northern Tanzania. The large numbers of elephants and its colossal baobab trees make Tarangire a popular Tanzania photography safari destination. If you have enough time, we recommend staying for a few days in the south of the park as it’s less crowded and gives you the opportunity to get a real feel of the back country.
THE BEST TIME FOR A TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK TOUR
During the dry season, Tarangire has the highest concentration of mammals in the country. From late June to October thousands of animals migrate to Tarangire from Lake Manyara National Park, and animals tend to congregate around Tarangire River. This makes for one of the greatest safari experiences in Africa!
Please keep in mind that July to October marks the high season, with many tourists filling the park. While the low season is less busy it also comes with more rain, and due to the tall grass animals are a bit harder to spot. We are always dedicated to helping our guests have the best safaris possible, so check out the various Tanzania safari holiday options and please get in touch to ask questions or tell us exactly what kind of safari you’re looking for.
Mkuyu Safari 