Tarangire National Park covers approximately 2,600 square miles (6,700 square kms), and lies to the south of a large open grass plain in southern Masai land, 70 miles (115 kms) from Arusha. It is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania and is home to Tanzania’s largest population of African elephants. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which is a permanent water source for its inhabitants. The river draws large herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and hartebeests as well as the lions, leopards and other predators who prey upon them. Other animals that can be seen include buffalo, giraffe, elands, warthogs, greater kudu, gernuks and impalas. Huge magnificent baobab trees and volcanic mountain ranges add to the scenic splendour of this unique national park.
How To Go There
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).
Things To Do
- Game drives
- Night Game Drives
- Walking Safaris
- Bird Watching
Best Time To Visit
Wildlife viewing is very good throughout the year, however animals are easier to find during the dry season (June to October), as they head to the park’s remaining water sources.
Facts About The Park
- The park is located west of Moshi and Arusha town, south east of Manyara and covers about 2600sq km.
- This park has a particularly dense wildlife population between June to December, more than 2136 elephants live here, and in the dry season most of the game congregates along the river Tarangire.
- The Park is an ornithologist’s paradise rich in birds of prey and on incredible diversity of avifauna plus pythons climb trees.
- The landscape and vegetation here is incredibly diverse and full of wildlife, especially during the dry season and around the Tarangire River.
