Tarangire National Park is located in North and it holds the real air of unveiled Africa specifically in the southern part of the park. Covering an area of 2,600 square kilometers, Tarangire lies a small distance, south east of Lake Manyara national park. It has a hilly landscape that is dotted by a number of Baobab trees, thick bushes and long grass.
There are many wildlife species to see during a Tanzania safari around Tarangire national park and they include giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, zebras, gerenuks, oryx, impalas, waterbucks, kudu and elands among others.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park
Attractions in Tarangire National Park are the different things that can be seen around the national park as tourists drive around the destination and engage in various tourist activities.
The attractions which tourists can enjoy seeing as they explore Tarangire national park include the following;
Wildlife species
Tarangire national park is known for many sought after wildlife species especially elephants which can be seen in their herds as they graze around the destination and this attracts many tourists who wish to see the elephants to travel to the national park. Apart from the herds of elephants, Tarangire national park is also known for the rare antelope species. Being an all year round wildlife viewing destination, there are various wildlife species which can be seen in this national park.
These wildlife species include the fringe eared oryx, the greater kudu, zebras, wildebeests, lions, hyenas, buffalos, elands, hartebeests and many others. Tanzania wildlife viewing in Tarangire national park is best done during the dry season in the months of June to October.
Bird species
Different birds can be seen in Tarangire national park and they include native or local bird species as well as migratory birds. There are many locations around the national park where these birds can be seen and these include the swampy floodplains, the woodlands as well as in the hills.
The swamps make up part of the scenery in the national park and are a good location to see wildlife species as well as various bird species during a safari. Bird species around the swamp area include Donaldson Smith’s nightjar, the great white pelican, northern pied babbler, white crowned shrike, ostrich, rufous tailed weaver, hornbills, vulturine guinea fowl, and yellow collared lovebirds among others.
Baobab trees
Baobab trees are also known for standing out from the rest of the national park and can be seen during safaris as tourists engage in different activities like game drives, bird watching and nature walks.
The trees are a major attraction within the national park and they have different significances to both man and the wildlife species like elephants. Elephants use the baobab trees to sharpen their tusks and they also feed on them.
Tarangire river
Tarangire river is among the attractions which can be seen in the national park. This river flows through the national park and acts as a source of water for the different wildlife species such as elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, antelopes, gazelles, kudu among others.
The name of the national park was also derived from the Tarangire river making it an important attraction at the destination. This part of the national park is also good for seeing elephants and also for enjoying amazing scenery at the destination.
Tarangire river is located in the eastern part of the rift valley and is also surrounded by numerous swamps such as Silale swamp as well as trees. Different predators can be seen around the area as well as pythons.
Maasai community
Tourists can also interact with the Maasai community during their community visits as they get to know their ways of life and to also engage in various activities such as visiting the traditional homesteads of the Maasai known as “manyattas”. Tourists also visit the kraals of the Maasai where livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep are kept and enclosed in a thorn fence. The locals also tell stories about their culture, norms and traditions to the tourists and also engage in traditional dance performances by the Maasai warriors.
Visits to the local market are also part of the interactions which take place between the Maasai and the tourists. This activity is carried out in the company of a local guide who acts a mediator between the tourists and the Maasai people.
The local arts and craft shops are also visited by tourist during their interactions with the Maasai people. These art and crafts include sandals made from hide and skin, beaded jewelry made by local women such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets and many others in different colors and patterns each having a significance in the Maasai culture.
Tarangire national park activities
There are many wildlife species to see during a safari around Tarangire national park and they include giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, zebras, gerenuks, oryx, impalas, waterbucks, kudu and elands among others.
Hot air balloon rides
Hot air balloon rides are part of the safari experience during tours in Tarangire national park. This activity takes about 1 hour and offers an aerial view of the national park and its attractions and wildlife species can also be spotted from the hot air balloon which follows the wind direction. The hot air balloon safaris start as early as 5:00 am and after the balloons have been inflated the passengers can get aboard and start their excursion. After landing, breakfast is served in the wild as well as champagne and other drinks are shared by the passengers.
Nature walks
Walking safaris or nature walks are also carried out during Tanzania safaris around Tarangire national park and the activity brings the tourists closer to the surroundings and nature in the park. Nature walks are also an exciting way to see wildlife when moving on foot in the national park in the company of ranger guide while following different trails and getting to know more about the national park.
Bird watching
Bird watching is carried out around Tarangire national park and the park has over 600 bird species which can be seen on tour. The best time to see these birds is during the months of November to April when migrant birds can also be spotted.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours are carried out during tours to Tarangire national park and it involves interacting with the locals and getting to know more about their culture and way of life, enjoying traditional dance performances, seeing local arts and crafts among other experiences.
How to get to Tarangire National Park
There are two major ways you can access Tarangire National Park and that is either by road or air transport.
By air
Flying into Kilimanjaro International AirPort (KIA) is the best option to get to Tarangire. This is located, 46 kilometers (29 Miles) from Arusha. Another possibility is to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) which is near Dar es Salaam and then arranging for a domestic flight at Arusha Airport (ARK).
By Road
By road, tourists can drive from Arusha to the destination in the Manyara region.
