Great park to spot elephant

Tarangire National Park

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WELCOME TO THE HOME OF SOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST ELEPHANTS

Tarangire National Park is rightfully famous for its elephants – especially the giant tuskers (which have thus far thankfully escaped the poaching onslaught) – and impressive baobab trees

Tarangire National Park has some of the highest population density of elephants as compared to anywhere in Tanzania, and its sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and distinctive location to visit. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife is allowed to move freely throughout.

Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. It’s the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem - a smorgasbord for predators —and the one place in Tanzania where dry—country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed.

«Famous for its large herds of elephant and impressive baobab trees, and wilder and less crowded than other parks.»

During the rainy season, the seasonal visitors scatter over a 20,000 sq km (12,500 sq miles) range until they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. But Tarangire’s mobs of elephant are easily encountered, wet or dry. The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus for 550 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world.

Tarangire National Park is the sixth biggest park in Tanzania at 2,850 km². Tarangire is the perfect national park for a day trip as well.

SIZE: 2,850 sq.km

LOCATION: Northern Tanzania

Disused termite mounds are often frequented by colonies of the endearing dwarf mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet, which draw attention to themselves by their loud, clockwork-like duetting. Tarangire’s pythons climb trees, as do its lions and leopards, lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.

If you want a more specialized experience while crossing every animal sight off your bucket list, Tarangire might just be the ideal safari destination for you. Start planning your Suricata Safaris trip to Tarangire National Park today!

Our Travellers Says

Tarangire is almost the favourite park in Tanzania. The Serengeti and perhaps Ruaha are better, but only just. Tarangire is a great first national park to visit when on safari and should be included in every safari holiday to Tanzania's north.”

Wildlife of Tarangire

A shortlist of the “most wanted” animals in Tarangire National Park and the chances of spotting them. Some animals are unique to each park or only appear in certain areas. It’s important to let us know your wildlife preferences, so we can give you the best chance of spotting your favorite animal.

The percentages are an estimation of how often we’ve seen these animals ourselves based on our visits. Some animals we’ve seen 100%, every time we’ve visited. However, it’s not a zoo, so there’s always a chance you miss an animal.

Feel like visiting yet?

Lion
50%
Elephant
95%
Leopard
2%
Rhino
0%
Zebra
95%
Buffalo
85%
Hippo
40%
Wildebeest
95%
Crocodile
0%
Giraffe
95%
Hyena
25%
Wild Dog
2%
Cheetah
10%

Reasons To Visit Tarangire National Park

  • Tarangire has some of the highest elephant populations in the country.

  • It is also one of Tanzania’s finest birding destinations with more than 500 species recorded.

  • There are a large number of baobab trees within the park and if you're lucky you can spot the tree climbing lions and pythons.

  • This is the only place in Tanzania to spot the gerenuk.

  • This is named after the parks sole water source, the Tarangire River.

Tarangire National Park Wildlife

Tarangire National Park is famous for the thousands of elephants that come down to the park during the dry season in search of water. But there are also plenty of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, buffalo and hippos.

Lions are often sighted, and you might see leopards and cheetahs patrolling the grasslands, or perched in a tree. Wild dogs have been spotted before, but you have to get lucky to find them.

Best Time To Visit Tarangire National Park

The Best Time To Visit Tarangire National Park is during the dry season from June to October. These are the best months for wildlife due to migratory patterns, and the short grasses make game viewing even easier.

In order to see the big herds of elephants, we recommend visiting towards the latter period of the dry season (September/October).

Tarangire National Park Safari

Travellers planning a Tarangire Safari will be pleased to hear that there's plenty of excellent accommodation available in the park - ranging from family-friendly camps to honeymoon hideaways - and the park combines easily with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara to make up the Northern Safari Circuit's quartet of safari destinations.

The wild expanses of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania enjoy year round irrigation from the Tarangire River. A safari through this sacred part of Tanzania will bring you up close to elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, elands, and over 500 identified species of birds.

Accommodation In Tarangire National Park

Most travelers tend to remain in the north of the park near the Tarangire River, but the south is equally beautiful.

Your Tarangire National Park Accommodation will normally be luxury tented camps.

The Tarangire National Park can also be visited on a day tour during a longer safari itinerary to other national parks on a Tanzania Safari, however, in case you wish to spend the night, you will find various accommodation options of different budgets including tented camps and lodges.

Getting There At Tarangire National Park

There are two major ways you can access Tarangire National Park and that is either by road or air transport. 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.

Tanzania is our home

Allow us to let you experience one of the most unique vacations you will ever have. Your eyes would glow from the beauty of the wildlife and nature of Tanzania. We also provide the possibility of visiting traditional Tanzanian villages to further your understanding. It will be an exhilarated experience!

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