Tarangire National Park

Size: 2,850 sq km (1100 sq miles)

Distance from Arusha: 118 km (73 miles)

Tarangire National park with its baobab crested landscape is scenically one of the most beautiful parks. Baobab trees tower above the savannah and these age old trees play a vital role in the eco system as they act as homes for bees, birds and bats. In addition hereto they provide nourishing fruit and supply animals such elephants with indirect water especially during the drier months.

During the months of June to September the park witnesses a small migration during which thousands of wildebeests and zebras head to the park for better grazing grounds. Elephants and other animals follow suit to gather along the Tarangire River, the only permanent water source in the park. It has been claimed, that up to 2000 elephants reside in the park during these months with some coming as far as from Ambsoseli National Park in Kenya.

Cats are also very much present in the park and lions can be found soaking up the sun on the river banks, whereas leopards are sometimes spotted resting in the baobab trees. Cheetahs are around but usually like to stay hidden from unsuspecting prey.

African wild dogs have been seen towards the southern part of the park and seeing that the numbers of these efficient hunters are dropping, spotting them can be a real treat.

But it is not only mammals you need to look out for while in Tarangire National Park as the park also boast with 550 different bird species.

The most commonly seen birds include yellow collared lovebirds, red billed hornbills, southern ground hornbills, lilac breasted rollers, ostriches, many kinds of raptors as well as several kinds of water birds just to name a few.

The Tarangire River flows all year round and it is an important life line for many of its residents, especially in the dry months. The river flows into Lake Burunge which is situated in the northwest.

The south of the park is dominated by marsh land, which is impassable in the wet season but tends to dry out completely in the dry season. The vegetation within the park is extremely diversified and includes open grasslands, savannah, Baobab trees and thick acacia bush as well as palm trees and swamps full of tall elephant grass in the south. Walking safaris are also offered in the southern part of the park.

Tarangire’s wildlife is as diverse as its habitats, which include grassland, riverine forest and perennially green wetlands. It is home to four of the Big Five (rhinos being the notable exception) and has one of the biggest elephant populations in northern Tanzania. A wealth of different antelope species are attracted by the park’s excellent seasonal grazing, including dik dik, impala, eland, Grant’s gazelle and waterbuck. The park is also known for three regional specials: the vulnerable fringe-eared oryx, the graceful gerenuk and the dwarf mongoose, which inhabits many of its abandoned termite hills.

Tarangire National Park, is (87 miles/140 kilometers to the northeast) from Arusha and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (100 miles/160 kilometers to the northwest). The nearest airports are Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport or the Kuro airstrip, located in the southern section of the park itself. .

The best time to visit Tarangire is probably in the dry season from June - October, where the game viewing is at it's best. Tsatse flies tend to be pretty bad from December to March so although this is a good time to go to the Serengeti for the wildebeest calving, Tarangire is best avoided at this time

A yellow fever vaccination certificate. Also take medical evacuation insurance, malaria prophylaxis (consult your doctor), sun protection gear and creams, insect repellent and anti-histamine creams. Tsetse bites are harmless but painful, and often cause swellings that itch for days. Due to altitude mosquitoes or tsetse flies are not that common as at lower altitudes.