Tarangire National Park
Tanzania Safari Guide to Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire National Park travel guide covers all relevant information from attractions, tourist activities and best time to visit, accommodation facilities, and getting there.
Tarangire National Park (TNP) is one of the least recognized yet has a lot to offer. It is an iconic tourist site worth considering on your bucket list of Tanzania travel destinations. Tarangire is a true wildlife/game paradise and features breathtaking landscapes characterized by rivers, hills, valleys, and dotted baobab trees. Also, best known as the Land of the Giants, Tarangire National Park is dominated by baobab and elephants.
Location of Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Tarangire National Park is found within the Northern Tanzania safari circuit, lying between the meadows of the Masai Steppe to the South-east and the Great Rift Valley Lakes to the North and West. Tarangire features the Tarangire River, a permanent river also popular as the park’s lifeline, especially during the dry season. During the dry season, most parts of Tarangire N/Park are dry.
Tarangire is ranked the 6th biggest Tanzania park, expanding on a land area of 2600sq.km. It is a top-stop destination for most Tanzania safari visitors on a tour in the Northern travel circuit especially the Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Park. It is home to huge herds of elephants, and during the dry season, diverse wildlife can be spotted on a single Tanzania tour.
Vegetation at Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Tarangire Park features giant baobab trees, verdant grassy fields, aquatic forests, and more. Often referred to as the Tree of Life, the baobab tree is known to retain water in its huge trunk during the wet season. During the dry season, it produces nutrient-dense fruits. The giant baobab trees can hold over 300 liters of water, with a life expectancy of 600 years.
Swamps
The popular swamp at Tarangire is the Silale swamp, one of the rich ecosystems in Tanzania. This charming natural wonder often appears like a huge sponge, soaking up water and during the dry season, it slowly realizes it. Large numbers of herbivores flock into Tarangire mainly to search for water and these include leopards, lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, elephants, and birds such as smith’s vulturine guinea fowl can be spotted.
Birds
About 550 bird species live within Tarangire making it an important birding site. Bird lovers to Tarangire N/Park stand a chance to identify a variety of birds including the yellow-necked spurfowl, crested francolins, bateleurs eagles, Kori bustards, and white-bellied go-away. Other birds include the pink-breasted lark, mouse-colored penduline tit, bare-faced go-away bird, Ashy starling, Northern white-crowned shrike, rufous tailed weavers, Northern pied babblers, ostriches, etc.
The best time to go birding or bird watching tour in Tarangire National Park Tanzania safaris is around November to April. This is the ideal time to identify migratory birds such as European and North African migratory avifaunal species. June to October is the perfect period for game viewing in Tarangire National Park.
Wildlife
Discover the most amazing wildlife species in Tarangire National Park on any of our exclusive Tanzania safaris. The park is a stronghold to over 300 herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards often spotted in large numbers, especially during the dry season. Gazelles, zebras, hartebeest, giraffes, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, African wild dogs, vervet monkeys, dik-dik, elands, waterbucks, impalas, banded mongoose, etc.
Amazing Tourist Activities to do at Tarangire National Park
If you are looking for a destination to enjoy exceptional experiences on safari in Tanzania, then consider visiting Tarangire National Park. The park features a long list of exciting tourist activities, offering every nature lover opportunity to explore its hidden treasures. Here are the top tourist activities to do in Tarangire National Park.
Game drive
Tarangire National Park is a rich wildlife destination, and a guided game drive presents you with a chance to encounter lots of its animal species. On a game drive in a 4×4 safari vehicle, expect to keep an eye on animal species such as impalas, elands, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, elephants, dik-dik, lions, leopards, waterbucks, etc.
The ideal time to visit the park for the game drive is during the dry season, that is from June to October. You can undertake a half-day or full-day game drive while exploring Tarangire.
Guided nature walks
Best nature walking tours can be enjoyed at Tarangire starting at Oliver’s camp and you enjoy an on-foot walk experience. This is one of the amazing outdoor experiences offering you a lifetime opportunity to encounter a diversity of wildlife, birds, and more.
Hot air balloon safaris
For a mesmerizing aerial view of abundant wildlife, especially the big game and several antelopes, consider taking part in a hot air balloon tour a must on Tanzania safari in Tarangire. Enjoy your balloon ride over the park’s treetops, and view lions, and plenty of angulates below you.
Birding
With over 550 bird species in Tarangire National Park, birders are never left out. A birding tour in Tarangire allows you to keep an eye on the park’s abundant bird species including the ostriches, yellow-necked spurfowl, crested francolins, bateleurs eagles, Kori bustards, white-bellied go away. Other special species of birds include the pink-breasted lark, mouse-colored penduline tit, bare-faced go-away bird, Ashy starling, Northern white-crowned shrike, rufous tailed weavers, and Northern pied babblers.
Cultural safaris
Tarangire National Park holiday packages cover not only game viewing, but also thrilling cultural encounters. Visit the Masai village to meet the Maasai people, interact with them, explore their cultures, and traditions, engage in hands-on experiences like making beaded necklaces, earrings, etc, or get entertained by the dances, and music performances.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park- Tanzania safaris
Tarangire National Park is open all year round, although the dry season is the best to enjoy a game drive or game viewing. The best months to consider undertaking a Tanzania tour in Tarangire is from June to October. Plenty of wildlife and birds can be spotted clearly during these months.
Where to stay at Tarangire National Park, African safari
The available luxury accommodation in Tarangire National Park includes Nimali Tarangire Lodge, Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp, Chem Chem Tarangire, Sanctuary Swala Camp, and more.
Getting there
By road: From Arusha to Tarangire National Park is a 140km drive and this is about 2-3 hours. From Lake Manyara N/Park, it is about 109kms. By air: fly-in safaris can be organized and you set off from Kilimanjaro Airport to Tarangire or charter a flight from Arusha to Serengeti and then connect to Tarangire National Park.
What is special about Tarangire National Park?
Tarangire National Park is the most birding safari destination in Tanzania, East Africa also home to abundant wildlife. It is best visited during the dry season, a period when Tarangire River happens to the only water source for the park’s diverse wildlife. Aside from multiple wildlife species, Tarangire NP is home to several beautiful baobab trees.
Is it worth visiting Tarangire National Park?
100%, Tarangire National Park worth spending a holiday on your next Tanzania safari. The park is easier to reach even when you are in other Tanzania National Parks/Protected Areas such as Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro Crater.
How much is the fees for Tarangire National Park?
As of 2023-2024, the entry fees for Tarangire NP cost Kshs 10,000 for East African citizens above 16 and USD 50 for non-East Africa citizen. From 5-15 years, non-EA citizen pay USD 10 and children Kshs 5000 while below 5 years, they have free access to the park.
What are the big 5 in Tarangire NP?
Tarangire is a special place to encounter all the big 5 game: Elephants, Cape Buffaloes, Leopards, Lions, and Rhinos. These are unique features to encounter on Tanzania safari in Tarangire N. Park.