Tarangire National Park - Overview and Facts
The Tarangire isn’t located on the main safari route, and this means that it is always less crowded than its counterparts. Since most tourists skip the park altogether, the Tarangire feels undisturbed and untouched, presenting the perfect safari atmosphere for the 160,000 souls who do take out the time to come here each year.
Tarangire is one of the most underrated national parks in Tanzania, and its proximity to the Ngorongoro and the Serengeti doesn’t help either. That said, this is the best place to see elephants in numbers you usually expect with cattle and hear the roar of the lion at night. After all, 700 lions call the park their home. Other animals found in Tarangire include leopards, cheetahs, eland, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, and as many as 450 species of birds. Tarangire National Park gets the following relevant safari ratings:
- Wildlife Rating: 4 stars out of 5
- Scenery Rating: 4 stars out of 5
- Bush Vibe: 4 stars out of 5
Watching exotic birds and the elephant migration is the best thing to do in Tarangire, but it also presents a game viewing area which is 10 times larger than the Manyara National Park and incredibly concentrated during the months of July to August. And those animals and birds present just one aspect of this natural oasis. Tarangire also hosts thousands of majestic baobab trees and this alone should be reason enough to visit the park.
The best thing to do is daytime game driving, but night safaris and walking safaris are also a possibility. And while there are no boat safaris in the national park, certain operators offer fly-camping expeditions.
Pros and Cons of Tarangire
One of the biggest advantages of visiting the Tarangire National Park is that it is a real treat for elephant lovers. The park also hosts stunning baobab trees, thereby presenting the best all-round experience, particularly during the dry season, when its wildlife is restricted to certain areas. Moreover, a number of mid-range and luxury lodges can be found here and one has the option to add night safaris and walking expeditions into the itinerary. That said, the animals get scattered during the wet season and this means that the months June to October is the only time to visit the park.
Accommodation in Tarangire
There are a number of lodges that can be found along the border of Tarangire, and a couple that are located within park boundaries. Those searching for luxury options would fall in love with Swala while mid-range travelers can expect Olivers to offer value for money. Tarangire Treetops is another option worth checking out. Although located outside the park, its rooms are built in ancient baobab trees and this makes it one of the most fascinating properties in Africa.
Best Time to visit Tarangire
The game is highly concentrated during the dry season, i.e., the months of July to October, and this is the best time to visit the park. For the rest of the year, the animals migrate out to the Rift Valley floor and on the grazing grounds of the Maasai steppe. As a result, a trip to the Tarangire isn’t advisable during the wet season.
Extend Your Vacation from Tarangire
It is easy to extend your vacation while visiting the Tarangire National Park. The closest city is Arusha, and you could spend a couple of days exploring its chaotic beauty and African culture. The Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Center and the Lake Manyara National Park are also located close by.