Tanzania
National Parks & Game Reserves
Tarangire
National Park
Baobab
Tree in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
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Tarangire
River in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
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 Zebras
and Wildebeest Drinking in Tarangire River,
Tanzania
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National Park
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National Park
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Tarangire
National Park - Tanzania
Tarangire
lies to the south of the large open grass plains of
southern Maasailand and is the best-kept secret on
the northern safari circuit. It offers wonderful panoramas
of wide savannah grasslands dotted with open acacia
woodland studded with large Baobab trees. The density
of game is second only to the crowded Ngorongoro Crater.
This is a year-round park with distinct seasons offering
different experiences, from dusty, dry and baking
with animals clustered around the rapidly reducing
river, to the fecund green season full of new-born
animals and chattering birds.
The
only months to avoid are during the heavy rainfalls
of April and May. Tarangire is a dry season refuge
for many migratory animals (elephants, wildebeest,
zebra, gazelles, eland and buffalo), that spend many
months of the year outside the park on traditional
grazing corridors linking Tarangire with other protected
areas. It
is hoped that the farms, settlements and mines that
are in the path of this annual migration, can find
a solution in community based land use that will safeguard
the survival of these historic traversing routes.
Tarangire
National Park Animals & Birds
Elephants
can be seen in herds of up to 600 at a time, along
with masses of wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest,
buffalo and oryx, who, migrate from the dry Maasai
steppe to the gleaming Tarangire River in search of
water during the dry season. The river may reduce
in size, but always provides some water for these
animals who gather in great numbers along its banks.
Predators never go hungry here. Although uncommonly
seen, pythons have taken to climbing trees in Tarangire,
but as with all snakes they avoid contact with humans.
November
to February is the time of plenty with succulent green
shoots appearing just in time for the newborn wildebeest
and zebra. By March everything is lush and wild flowers
and butterflies are out in force. Birds are at their
busiest and more than 550 species have been recorded.
Some
of the Serengeti's largest buffalo herds are to be
found in the pristine woodlands to the north and elephants
abound in this area too. For excellent year round
game viewing the Seronera valley in the centre of
the park has abundant grazing and considerable numbers
of animals including giraffes, warthogs, reedbucks
and many other species that sustain resident leopards
and large prides of lions. In the south is the saline
Lake Ndutu which attracts throngs of flamingoes and
in the west the Grumeti River contains some of the
largest Nile crocodiles you will ever see.
Baobab
Trees are common in Tarangire National Park
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Tarangire
National Park in the rainy season
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Elephant
dust bathing in Tarangire National Park
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Tarangire
National Park
Seasons
For
much of the year temperatures remains between 70-80°F
(21-27°C) but nights and early mornings get colder
in the months of June, July and August.
Dry Season: the dry months of June
to September are the best times for game viewing as
thousands of animals come to the Tarangire River.
January and February is usually dry.
Rainy Season: The short rains are
in November and December and the long rains fall from
March to May, with April and May being the height
of the rainy season and best avoided as many camps
are closed.
Tarangire
National Park Highlights
•
Thousands of animals congregate at the Tarangire River
• 550 species of birds
• Tree climbing pythons
• Strategically placed quality safari lodges
