Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park is Tanzania’s attractive and famous in the northern circuit. The park is in the south of Lake Manyara, this protected area of colossal baobabs, grassy plains and huge herds of elephants. Tarangire National Park was established in 1970. The name of the park originated from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. Tarangire National Park covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles), the landscape is composed of granitic ridges, river valley, and swamps, and the vegetation is a mix of Acacia woodland, Combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grasslands and baobab trees. The park is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park.
Wildlife.
Tarangire National Park is popular for its high density of elephants, the visitors come in Tarangire National Park in the months of June to November in the dry season, the animals species in the park includes the zebra, wildebeest, cape buffalo, elephants, and many others, other common resident animals in the park includes the waterbuck, giraffe, dik-dik, impala, eland, Grant’s gazelle, Vervet monkey, banded mongoose, olive baboon. The main predators in Tarangire National Park includes the lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger, African wild dog and many others. Tarangire national park has the oldest known elephant to give birth to twins, the recent birth of elephant twins in the park is a great example of how the birth of these two healthy and thriving twins can be beat the odds.
Bird species.
Tarangire National Park is a home of more than 550 bird species, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts. Some of the bird species in the park includes the Yellow necked spur fowl, Northern White crowned shrike, White faced whistling duck, Red billed hornbill, Pygmy falcon, African marsh harrier, Woodland kingfisher, and Black headed heron and many others.
Baobab trees.
The Baobab trees are the most historical trees in the Tarangire national park which are also known as the major attraction in the park, the Baobab trees are distinctly shaped trees they are also known as the hydrophytes, in that the trees store liters and liters of 3000 to 1000 of water in their bloated trucks than other trees in the park, these trees have lived in the park for over 600 years. The baobab trees are also referred as giant, bulbous and old and they stand out from the rest of the landscape in Tarangire national park.
Tarangire River.
Tarangire River is a major attraction in the park, it is described as a permanent water source in Tarangire national park where different wildlife gather to drink especially during the dry seasons especially from June to October. During your Tanzania safari in Tarangire, the Tarangire River is the perfect spot during the game drive that offers you the thrilling safari experience.
Activities to do in in Tarangire National Park.
Game viewing.
Game viewing is among the best safari activity done by the tourists during their visit in the Tarangire National park Tanzania , the park has various animals’ species like the elephants, zebras, buffalos, waterbucks, dik-dik, elands, impalas, warthogs and many more. Tarangire National Park due to the Tarangire River that passes attracts a variety of the wildlife in dry season hence this is the best time for game viewing in the period of June to October. Game viewing in the park takes place at different intervals that is the morning, afternoon and in the evening as well as full day, in the morning the tourists can see a variety of wildlife since it’s the period when the animal species can be active as they graze in the savannah plains.
Walking safari.
Walking safari gives you the more learning experience about the smaller animals within the park and away of spotting the animals at close range without disturbing them as well you experience a different world by taking a trip to a Maasai or Barabaig village with the numerous ancient paintings, in neighborhood with Kolo on Dodoma road.
Bird watching.
Various and different bird species can be seen in Tarangire National Park such as the Kori bustard, hornbills, rufous tailed weavers, ashy starlings, barbets, yellow necked spur fowl, hammerkops the list is endless. Bird watching in the park is best done during the wet season in the months from November to March when the local or the resident birds are breeding as well at the time the migrant bird species can be seen in the park.
Cultural visits.
Cultural Visits in the Tarangire National Park are engaged between the tourists to the Maasai villages to interact with the local community and this activity also involves getting to know the way of life of the locals their styles of living, economy, seeing local art and craft work such as the beaded necklaces, earrings, anklets and also visiting their local markets.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park.
The dry season in the months of June through November are the best times to visit the Tarangire National Park, as most of the animals will head towards the Tarangire River to main hydrated, providing travelers with excellent game viewing opportunities.
Where to stay in Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National park has got the most conducive and suitable accommodation with comfort beddings, these accommodations are categorized into the budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation such as the Tarangire Safari lodge, Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Tarangire Treetops, Baobab tented camp, and many more.
How to get to Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park can be accessed by both the road and Air means of transport from either Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar to the park.
By Road. Tarangire can be reached by driving from Arusha to the park.
By Air means. Tarangire National Park Tanzania, can be accessed through different airstrips such as Tarangire airstrip through charter and domestic flights to the destination.
Tarangire National Park is well known as a wonderful birding destination and also various large numbers of wildlife, particularly during the dry season, that’s when the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the areas which attracts a variety of wildlife, the landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of the scenic baobab trees making your Tanzania safari a fantastic one.
