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Named after the Tarangire River which winds through its northern section, Tarangire National Park is a vital refuge during the dry season—when the river becomes the main water source for wildlife.
Covering an area of 2,850 square kilometres, it ranks as the sixth-largest park in Tanzania. Nestled between the Masai Steppe in the southeast and the rift valley lakes in the north and west, its landscapes range from granite ridges and river valleys to swamps and iconic baobab-dotted plains.
Known as one of the most seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire National Park experiences a high volume of migratory wildlife, especially during the dry months. If you're planning Tanzania Safari Packages, this park is a must-include for witnessing the raw rhythm of seasonal movement and unique ecosystems.
Tarangire National Park is located in the northern section of Tanzania, just south of Lake Manyara. The park lies among the meadows of the Masai Steppe (to the southeast) and the Great Rift Valley Lakes (to the west and north). It’s an important highlight on most Tanzania Safari Packages, especially for those seeking fewer crowds and rich wildlife.
In the northern region of the park is its lifeline – the permanently flowing Tarangire River. The river flows northwards until the exit, in the northwestern corner and pours into Lake Burunge. During the dry season, this becomes the main water source for animals, drawing large herds to its banks and creating perfect scenes for game viewing on a Tarangire National Park Safari.
The 2850 sq. km. plains of the park’s landscapes are dominated by Commiphora bushlands, open grasslands, and acacia woodlands. This is a key habitat for several different savannah mammal species.
The surroundings of Tarangire National Park vary greatly as one moves about the large area. To begin with, there are lots of grasslands dotted with giant baobab trees. You also have rugged channels, rocky hills, bushlands, and riverine woodlands. Due to the Tarangire River running across the park, there are several floodplains and swaps too.
Kigelia or sausage trees are also an important habitat of the park. These trees have thick canopies and large sausage-shaped hanging fruits. They are a favourite resting place for lions and leopards in the park.
| Name Of The Habitat | Highlights |
| Red Termite Mounds |
Huge red termite mounds are spread throughout Tarangire National Park. Some are twice the height of an adult human. |
| Baobab Trees |
Known as the “Tree of Life.” The trunk of an ancient baobab can grow over 100 ft. in circumference. One tree here is over 1,000 years old. |
| Tarangire River and Lake Burunge | Both are hotspots for migratory bird sightings. Wildlife gathers here to drink, offering excellent scenes for Tarangire Safari Holidays. |
Tarangire National Park is part of the renowned Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania and most safaris here start from the town of Arusha. The park is just a couple of hours away from Arusha. Below are the different ways you can access the park:
This is the best way to get to Tarangire National Park. You can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is just 46 km. away from the town of Arusha.
Or you could go a different way and book a charter flight, though it’s a long process. You’ll first hop on a flight from Arusha then to Serengeti National Park, and finally to Tarangire.
From the town of Arusha, it takes around three hours to drive to Tarangire National Park. This route is popular among visitors because of the great sceneries along the way plus access to other Tanzania Safari destinations like the Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Park.
Tarangire National Park
The weather in Tarangire National Park is mild and nice all year. There are two parts to the wet season: short rains from November to December and longer rains from March to May. January and February are usually drier months, with only a few rains here and there. It rains most of the time in the afternoon and rarely all day. The weather is comfortable and not too hot during the day, but it can get cool in the mornings and nights. Especially for early morning game drives, it's smart to bring warm clothes.
| Time Of The Year | Average Temperatures | Description |
| January and February |
Afternoon: 28°C (82°F) Night time: 16°C (61°F) |
The dry spell (just after the short rains) |
| March, April, and May |
Afternoon: 28°C (82°F) Night time: 16°C (61°F) |
The period of the long rains Cloudy skies with overhead conditions are the norm. |
| June to October |
Afternoon: 26°C (79°F) Night time: 14°C (57°F) |
Clear skies and pleasant daytime temperatures. Chilly temperatures during the night. |
| November and December |
Afternoon: 28°C (82°F) Night time: 16°C (61°F) |
The period of the short rains. Four weeks of rain is common in this period. |
The wettest month in Tarangire National Park is April and the driest months are July and August. The following is a monthly breakdown of the amount of rainfall Tarangire receives:
| Month(S) | Amount Of Rainfall (In Millimetres) |
| January | 85 mm |
| February | 97 mm |
| March | 130 mm |
| April | 166 mm |
| May | 46 mm |
| June | 5 mm |
| July | 0 mm |
| August | 0 mm |
| September | 1 mm |
| October | 14 mm |
| November | 71 mm |
| December | 99 mm |
Some of our useful Insights : Rainfall in Tarangire happens for 113 days and collects up to 714mm of precipitation. The highest UV index (12) in the park is in the months from January to April and August to December. And, June has the lowest UV index (10).
The Best Time to Visit Tarangire National Park is during the middle and towards the end of the dry season (from late June to October). These months have the perfect conditions for game viewing.
During the wet season, much of Tarangire’s wildlife moves to other regions, making game viewing more challenging. However, this time of year is excellent for birdwatching, with migratory species adding to the diversity.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, then you’d be delighted to learn that the biodiversity of Tarangire’s wildlife is on another level. During the dry season, the river from which the park gets its name is a magnet for different animals.
The following are some animals that you’ll have no trouble seeing inside the premises of Tarangire National Park:
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is a birdwatching hotspot of Tanzania Safaris. The park contains more than 550 different species of birds. Its population of birds are some of the most diverse in the African continent.
Birds like hornbills and flamingos are drawn to the park for the numerous swamps and lakes. While other species enjoy the plentiful acacia trees because the trees’ long thorns offer a great foundation for building nests.
Here are some of the different types of bird species you can spot on a Tarangire National Park Safari:
| Common Bird Species | Endemic Bird Species | Near Endemic Bird Species | Migrant Species |
| Great White Pelican | Ashy Starling | Northern Pied babbler | Common House Martin |
| African Grey Flycatcher | Rufous-tailed weaver | Eastern Crested Guineafowl | Aquatic Warbler |
| Ostrich | White-rumped Sandpiper | ||
| Vulturine Guineafowl | |||
| Yellow-collared lovebird |
Scenic’s Point of view :Birdlife in Tarangire is plentiful throughout the course of the year. But, birdwatching safaris are at their prime when North African and European migratory birds are present, which is from November to April.
Want a bunch of reasons why Tarangire National Park has a special spot in the heart of several visitors on Safaris in Tanzania? Then, we’re here to clear things up, here are some reasons why you should consider visiting Tarangire:
Now that you’re familiar with the reasons to visit Tarangire National Park, let’s take a closer look at its important attractions. The following section outlines each highlight in more detail.
Tarangire National Park
The varied ecosystem that co-exists in Tarangire National Park supports a wide range of vegetation, bird, and wildlife making it all the more alluring for the visitors.
The swamp is even home to a good number of cape buffaloes and elephants. Some of the bird species found here include Donaldson-nightjar, Smith’s vulturine guinea, etc.
Another distinct feature of Tarangire is the huge number of baobab trees found on its land.
Thus, justifying the name “The tree of Life”. These trees have a vast life expectancy of nearly 600 years and their trunks are huge that can retain up to 300 litres of water. The seeds of these trees are nutritious and are a constant source of food for the various animals inhabiting the park.
A good number of migratory movements characterize Tarangire National Park. The seasonal nature of the park facilitates wildlife migration within its ecosystem.
It is quite common to see herds of elephants, wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, and hartebeests as well as predators like lions, leopards, wild dogs, etc. invade the park in great numbers. Mark this park into your Tanzania Safari Packages and we bet you won’t regret it!
Tarangire National Park has some of the highest-density of elephant populations as compared to anywhere in Tanzania.
As the dry season approaches in the month of June through October, large herds of nearly 300 elephants can be seen digging the dry river beds in search of underground streams of water. It is quite obvious to spot elephants during your Safari to Tarangire National Park due to their presence throughout the park in large numbers.
There is this huge old baobab tree located a few hundred meters west of the main north-south track through the Tarangire National Park with a concealed entrance on one side – leading into a hollow chamber inside its bark.
This served as a hiding place for poachers until the mid-90s. The poachers used this as a hideout from the animals and patrolling rangers. Though now these are inhabited by the occasional bees or animals. In the present day, you can visit and see those epic hideouts on your Tarangire National Park Safari
Lemiyon Triangle is found in the northernmost part of the park. It is bordered by the Burunge circuit on the west, Lake Burunge, and the Tarangire River on the east of the road.
The park offers good raptor viewing. Some of the raptors seen here include; the tawny eagle, the martial eagle, the long-crested eagle as well as the fish eagle. The prey birds that are seen in this area are the bateleur eagle. Both the zebras and wildebeests can be seen grazing over this pristine land.
The great Tarangire River that flows through the park serves as the lifeline for the bird and wildlife of Tarangire National Park.
As a result, predators like lions, leopards and wild dogs, etc. are also drawn toward the riverfront. Many birds, both local and migratory, also flock to this wonderful water source to quench their thirst.
The northwest region of Tarangire is home to Matete Woodlands and the Matete Bridge which is also called Engelhard Bridge named after the patron whose family helped so much with the preservation of the park.
The Kitibong region of the park surrounds Kitibong Hill in the Tarangire National Park. The landscape here is enticing and consists of acacia parkland in the eastern territory and Dalbergia woodland in the western area.
Want to know what makes Tarangire tick with the most popular Tanzania Safari destinations and tours? Then, nothing more can convince you than the variety of activities that are on offer in the park, we know you can’t wait to find out what these are, so here’s a comprehensive list:
Visualize yourself on Tanzania Safari Tours surrounded by a wide expanse of habitats including ancient baobabs, acacia and sausage trees. All on the backdrop of large herds of elephants marching forward or just relaxing by the rivers and lakes. Don’t you want to experience this too?
We assume that you certainly want to experience exactly this. Thus, simply choose from our range of Tanzania Safari Packages that include this marvellous destination and you’ll be all set.
Tarangire National Park isn’t just overflowing with an abundance of birds. It is also home to some of the most diverse birdlife in Tanzania. With this much avian life, Tarangire National Park Safaris are guaranteed to turn even the most uninterested into full-fledged birding enthusiasts.
Who would’ve thought that enjoyment on your Tanzania Safari Tour goes hand-in-hand with creating an impact? Well, it’s us for sure! We at African Scenic Safaris put a special emphasis on conducting sustainable and responsible tours as well as fun.
And, you can also experience these impactful experiences by immersing yourself in the native cultures on cultural excursions to the villages of the local communities.
Set off on a guided nature walk in Tarangire National Park toe-to-toe along with one of the park rangers, and experience the beauty of the park on foot. This allows for an even more authentic safari adventure as you’ll be able to get up close with the wildlife and learn fascinating pieces of informational tidbits from your guide.
Tarangire National Park
We know you can’t contain your excitement and are probably thinking about experiencing the wonders of Tarangire National Park right away. So, we’ve decided to assist you further in the process, here are a couple of our recommended Tanzania Safari Tours that’ll help you out:
| Name Of The Package(S) | Central Highlights |
| 8 Days Tanzania Classic Safari | Set off on a classic adventure of Tarangire on the second day. See animals along the shores of the Tarangire River. Game drives across the rich habitats where you’ll see the giant baobab trees in person. |
| 10 Days Tanzania Closer To Nature | Nature isn’t just in the name, it’s in the experience too! Spend 2 days finding out what wonders Tarangire National Park has in store for you. |
Note : Want some more of our personalized Tanzania Safari Tours itineraries? We have you there as well! Simply visit this link and discover what other things Tanzania offers .
A long day of exceptional wildlife viewing just demands a blissful night of sleep and Tarangire National Park doesn’t fall short in that regard. We want to assist you in finding the perfect accommodation, so here are some hand-picked recommendations:
| Name Of The Accommodation(S) | Rating | Amenities And Highlights |
| Tarangire Safari Lodge | 4-Star (Mid-Range) | Charming and spacious rooms overlooking some incredible landscapes Convenient location: inside the park itself, and set close to the Tarangire River. Open-sided design makes for a more immersive experience (both the landscapes and wildlife). |
| Elewana Tarangire Treetops | 5-Star (Luxury) | Spacious rooms with personal outdoor decks. The setting overlooks a watering hole, where you can spot plenty of wildlife drinking water. Top-notch luxury experience. |
| Nimali Tarangire | 5-Star (Luxury) | Located in a private concession, adjacent to a riverbed. Gorgeous surroundings with nearby acacia and baobab trees. An exclusive and private luxurious experience. |
So, gear up to enjoy refreshing sundowners from your outdoor deck while overlooking a watering hole where a family of elephants are lazing about, drinking water or getting their cleanliness on, while gentle breezes sway the giant baobabs! This is the charm and essence of Tarangire National Park Accommodations.
The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is responsible for managing the parks and promoting conservation activities in all Tanzania National Parks. They formulate entry fees and other guidelines to be followed by the visitors visiting the parks in Tanzania.
| Entrance fees | In High season | In Low Season |
| Residents | $29 | $26 |
| Non- Residents | $59 | $53 |
| Children (5 to 15 age) Residents | $8 | Same price as the high season |
| Children (5 to 15 age) Residents | $17 | Same price as the high season |
Download a complete checklist with everything you’ll need for your Tanzania Safari—clothing, gear, essentials, and helpful tips, all in one handy guide.
There are a bunch of reasons why Tarangire National Park should be on everyone’s Tanzania Safari Packages. The following are the distinguishing features that set Tarangire apart from others:
The characteristic skyline of Tarangire, framed by the giant branches of baobab trees is the background of superb and exclusive wildlife viewing. By and large, this is the core of Tarangire National Park Safaris. And that’s without touching on the fact that walking safaris are the picture-perfect activity that Tarangire offers safari lovers.
Thus, see the awe-inducing wonders of Tarangire National Park yourself by opting for one of our set of tailored Tanzania Safari Packages.
Discover Tanzania’s untamed beauty with experts who bring every moment to life. From tracking lions to quiet sunset views, we make each day in the wild truly count.
Tarangire National Park is located in northern Tanzania, in the Manyara Region. The nearest city to the park is Arusha and the park’s coordinates are - 4.0057° S, 35.9788° E
Tarangire National Park is renowned the world over for its huge population of elephants. In addition, the park’s landscapes consist of giant, scenic baobab trees.
The dry season (from June to October) is considered the Best Time to Visit Tarangire National Park. This is because most animals head towards the Tarangire River to keep themselves hydrated and in search of greener pastures, ultimately providing visitors with great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Certainly, yes! Tarangire National Park is a great safari destination that offers a great deal of wildlife viewing possibilities. And, the southern section of the park is great for a more private and secluded Tanzania Safari experience.
Tarangire National Park gets its name from the long-serving permanent source of water – the Tarangire River. The river is one of the primary reasons why the park has a hugely varied ecosystem.
There are around 2,500 elephants inside the premises of Tarangire National Park.
The total population of lions in Tarangire National Park is believed to be around 250.
The total area of Tarangire National Park is 2,850 sq. km. (1,100 sq. miles). The park is the sixth biggest of all Tanzania National Parks.
The trees of Tarangire National Park include giant baobabs, sausage trees, acacias (thorn trees), candelabra trees, fan palms, etc.
The Tarangire Lion Project focuses on reducing the human-lion conflict while collaborating with local communities and gathering data about the seasonal movement patterns of the lions of Tarangire National Park
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