Tarangire National Park
Tarangire’s relative obscurity, due to its noisy neighbours Ngorongoro and Serengeti, has hidden the park’s principle attraction – from July to early November Tarangire is host to one of the largest elephant concentrations in Africa.
Elephant herds in their hundreds migrate from the Masai steppe south of the park – with some recorded travelling from as far North as Amboseli in Kenya.
The peak months are August, September and October when up to 3,000 elephant create the highest density of the species in the country. If you are travelling in these golden months then a couple of nights in Tarangire is a must.
However, Tarangire is much more than just an elephant stronghold; this park is beautiful, quiet and surprisingly good for its diversity of game.
It is also one of the only places in Northern Tanzania to offer first class walking safaris and fly camping trips inside National Park boundaries. In our view, Tarangire is an incredibly underrated and beautifully quiet park. Long may it stay that way!
Size
Size: 2850 sq km (1,096 sq miles).
Location: 118 km (75 miles) southwest of Arusha
Access
Easy drive from Arusha or Lake Manyara following a surfaced road to within 7km (four miles) of the main entrance gate; can continue on to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Charter flights from Arusha and the Serengeti.
Wildlife
June to October is the best time to see large number of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, and hartebeest.
Not all animals are migratory though, other animals such as giraffes, Impala, Eland, lesser kudu, waterbuck, gazelle and sometimes rhinos or leopards can be seen throughout the year.
More people are attracted by the giant pythons and large herds of elephants. the park is also famous for migrant birds.
Game viewing in Tarangire National Park is largely affected by the presence of water, and during the dry season many animals congregate here in search of it.
As the land dries and the smaller rivers stop flowing, the herds head south towards the permanent water in the Tarangire River and its surrounding swamps.
What to Do
Guided walking safaris.
Day trips to Maasai and Barabaig villages, as well as to the hundreds of ancient rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo on the Dodoma Road.
