Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania, located in Manyara Region, with the name originating from Tarangire river that flows thru the park.
Tarangire is widely known for the highest population of elephants, compared to anywhere else in Tanzania. It is not very rich in vegetation, scattered with baobab and acacia trees makes soectacular and distinctive location to visit.
Located just a few hour drive from the Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for all who travel through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro or Serengeti. The park consists of two game controlled sections, and the wildlife is allowed to move freely thru whole area.
Before the rains, herds of gazelles, wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes migrate to Tarangire plains, where the last grazing land still exists. The park offers an exceptional game viewing, and during the dry season you can see large groups of elephants.
Herds of up to 300 elephants scrape dry river bed in search of underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland rally in the shrinking lagoons. This makes Tarangire largest concentration of wildlife outside Serengeti, providing easy prey for predators, and the only place in Tanzania where you can regularly see dry-country antelope such as oryx and long-necked gerenuk.
Home to more than 550 bird species, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts.
Abandoned termite mounds are often inhabited by colonies of dwarf mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet, which draw attention to themselves by their loud duetting.
Tarangire is famous for its tree-climbing pythons, as do its lions and leopards, basking in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree make the perfect disguise for their tails.
Getting there
Easy drive from Arusha or Lake Manyara following a surfaced road to within 7km (four miles) of the main entrance gate.
What to do
Walking, driving and camping safaris.
