Tarangire National Park is one of the beautiful destinations in Tanzania, most popular for its authentic wilderness experiences. This is one of the expansive parks in Tanzania and takes its name from the scenic River Tarangire. R. Tarangire flows northwards and empties its water into Lake Burunge. In addition, the park shelters several wide swamps though they dry up during the dry months of the year especially on the southern part of Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park is one of the vast parks that make up the expansive Northern Circuit of Tanzania, Lake Manyara Area and very popular for its herds of African elephant migration. This park is found between the meadows of the Masai steppe to the southeast and the Great Rift Valley lakes in the north & the west.
Tarangire National Park was founded in 1970 as one of the national parks in Tanzania and it sits on land area of 2850sq.kms. In the whole of Tanzania, it is ranked the 6th biggest. It is one of the least popular parks compared to the premier Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Tarangire National Park largely features baobab trees and countless herds of elephants. The park features beautifully lush green swamps of Gursi, Nguselorobi, Silale and Larmakau where you can spot elephants rise their thighss high as they feed. The extreme southern part of Tarangire is more densely vegetated and wildlife spotting reduces but it also comprises of open savannas where you can clearly see wildlife.
History.
Years back, Tarangire National Park was a designated reserve before upgrading its status as a national park in 1970. Like other parks, Tarangire National Park Tanzania derives its name from Tarangire River. R. Tarangire flows across Tarangire N/Park Tanzania and it is undoubtedly the main source of water for numerous wildlife species that the park hosts.
Tarangire National Park Tanzania extends up-to 2850sq.kms of land area putting it in the 6th position among Tanzania’s largest parks. The Tarangire land was previously inhabited by the Maa speaking pastoralists. This was from the 16th to 19th century and they replaced the Nilotes and the Bantu.
Increase in human especially the Maasai population was recorded in the 1880’s and around 1900, they were infected by pleuro pneumonia and small pox outbreak. The Maasai were later displaced in the 1880s and 1950s including the European farmers resulting into creation of many national parks. In 1970, Tarangire National Park was officially designated as a national park in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania East Africa.
ATTRACTIONS IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA.
Wildlife.
Tarangire National Park Tanzania is popular for its huge colonies of wildlife that make it one of the preferred wildlife safari destinations in the Northern Circuit or the famous Lake Manyara Region. It comes after the famous Serengeti National Park with huge profusion of species and during the dry spell, several of them concentrate around its River Tarangire for water.
The 2850sq.kms protected shelters diversity of wildlife species including the wildebeest, the dwarf mongoose, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, hartebeest, elands, zebras, wild dogs, oryx, impalas, Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, buffaloes, Kudus and Generuks.
Bird species.
A total of over 550 bird species call Tarangire National Park Tanzania making it one of the best birding safari destinations in East Africa. The protects significant population of avifaunal species including pink breasted lark, Northern pied babblers, Von der decken’s hornbill, vulturine guinea fowl.
The others include Bateleur eagles, ostriches, lapped faced vultures, Africa Gray flycatchers, red barbets, Donaldson smith’s nightjars, Bare faced go away bird, yellow barbets, Rufous tailed weavers, brown parrots, Northern white crowned shrike, yellow collared love bird, great white pelicans, ashy starling to mention but a few.
Around November and April, most migratory birds confine in the different parts of Tarangire National Park being the breeding period. While on Tarangire National Park safari, you can engage in bird watching as an independent activity or combine it with game viewing.
ACTIVITIES TO DO IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.
Game/wildlife viewing in Tarangire N/Park.
Tarangire National Park is one of the most visited parks in the Northern Circuit especially for game viewing. It is a pristine protected area with a remarkable population of wildlife ranging from huge herds of Elephants, Vervet monkeys, wildebeest, lions, dwarf mongoose, Kudus, warthogs, elands, Oryx, buffaloes, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, impalas & wild dogs.
Abundance of plains game can be spotted during the dry season especially buffaloes. As well, predators like lions can easily be sighted as they wait to strike for their target for the day in the outskirts of swamps. While cheetahs can be sighted perfectly in the open plains and leopards exist in huge baobab trees.
During the sunset, a night game drive is perfectly conducted. With your experienced guide, expect to enjoy incredible view of unique creatures in Tarangire National Park including genets, aardwolves, serval cats to mention but a few.
Bird watching.
Tarangire National Park Northern Circuit is a premier birding destination of its own in East Africa. Boasting of about 550 bird species, birders that every avid birder should expect to keep an eye on while on Tarangire National Park safari include Northern pied babblers, pink breasted lark, Bateleur eagles, vulturine guinea fowl, bare faced go away birds, brown parrots, ostriches, Rufous tailed weavers, Donaldson smith’s nightjars, Von der decken’s hornbill, great white pelicans, lapped faced vultures, African gray flycatchers, red barbets, ashy starlings.
Guided nature walks.
Tarangire National Park Tanzania like other parks features diversity of habitat worthy exploring while on a guided nature walk. On a nature walk, you have in-depth exploration about the park’s significant species of wildlife, birds and view surrounding areas.
Sight-seeing.
Sight-seeing in Tarangire National Park is one of the unmissable experiences holidaymakers on Tanzania safari should expect while in this park. The park is known for its splendid views especially the Tarangire River during the dry season. The woodland, baobab trees, acacia on the other hand offers a distinct landscape.
Community/Cultural tours.
Tarangire National Park holidays incorporate game viewing, bird watching tours and cultural or community tours/walks. Holidaymakers get a chance to visit the Maasai in their community and the experience largely involving enjoying the traditional dances, music performances, learning more about the distinct Masai cultures, traditions, norms and others. The other significant place worthy visiting for community tour is Barabaig villages.
Hot air balloon safaris.
Hot air balloon experience offer a distinct alternative of viewing Tarangire National Park wildlife species in their natural habitat in a hot air balloon rather than in a safari vehicle. It is an incredible aerial game viewing experience worthy your trip to Tarangire National Park Tanzania.
WHEN TO VISIT TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK?
When you think of Tarangire National Park holiday, then consider visit this protected area during the dry season. The dry months/season is by far the best if you are to enjoy your trip in Tarangire National Park. This is from June, July, August, September/October and these are characterized by the least or no rainfall.
The dry months are generally the most ideal for Tarangire game viewing experience. This isn’t a case with the wet/rainy season when there is plenty of rains and around November and April, visitors can enjoy the best of migratory birds in this park.
ACCOMMODATION IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA.
Tarangire National Park Tanzania is a complete travel destination with ultimate list of budget, mid-range and luxury. If you are looking for luxury choices for your overnight stay while on Tarangire National Park holiday then book any of the following Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp, Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge, Nimali Tarangire Tented Camp & Sanctuary Swala Camp.
The moderate/mid-range options range from Ang’ata Tarangire Camp, Kikoti Tented Camp, Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge & Tarangire Safari Lodge to Tarangire Sopa Lodge whereas budget choices include Whistling Thorn Tented Camp for lazy Camping.
ENTRY FEES TO TARANGIRE N/PARK, TANZANIA.
Tarangire National Park Tanzania is managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), a body in charge management of all Tanzania’s national parks. Tarangire National Park entry fees differ significantly from children to adults/according visitor category-foreign nonresidents, East African or foreign residents.
As of 2021, Tarangire fees range from US Dollars 53 provided you are above 16 years, 5-15 years you pay US Dollars 17.7 and below 5 years (children) have free entrance to Tarangire National Park Tanzania. These are valid till 30th July 2021.
ACCESS TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK – NORTHERN TANZANIA.
Tarangire National Park sits within the Northern circuit of Tanzania and accessing it is possible by road or by air. Taking the road means, holidaymakers drive from Arusha Town through the Northern circuit, get to Tarangire National Park.
Alternatively, visitors in Lake Manyara National Park can get to Tarangire National Park on 7kms’ drive and you can access it via its main gate.
By air: flights are available connecting from Julius Nyerere Airport/Arusha Airport and you land at Kuro Airstrip.
The easiest alternative however to navigate to Tarangire National Park Tanzania is by using a comfortable Safari Land cruiser or 4WD Safari van from either Arusha or Moshi town in northern Tanzania.
