Self Drive Guide to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of the premier national parks in Tanzania and the wider East African region. The park was designated as a national park in 1970 and was recognized as a Lion Conservation Unit in 2005. Renowned for its extensive herds of elephants, it is one of the most frequented national parks in Tanzania. The park is situated within the renowned Northern Tourist Circuit of Tanzania, encompassing Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. The park encompasses 2,850 square kilometers, rendering it one of the largest parks in the nation. The park was called for the Tarangire River, which bisects it into two sections. The river serves as a water source for the diverse fauna inhabiting the area. The park’s landscapes consist of granite mountains, wetlands, and river valleys. The park’s vegetation has a mixture of Acacia woodlands, seasonally flooded rivers, Combretum woodlands, baobab trees, and grasslands.
The park’s significance is attributed to its substantial population of wildlife, including African elephants and lions. The park accommodates 4 of the 5 members of the African Big Five, lacking only the rhinoceros. Other significant wildlife in the park includes elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, wildebeests, gazelles, topis, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, and numerous others. Tarangire National Park is renowned for its substantial herds of African elephants, offering guests the opportunity to observe the largest elephant populations on game drives. The park features short open grasslands interspersed with Baobab trees, savannahs, wetland vegetation, and marshes.
Where is Tarangire National Park located
It is situated in the Great Rift Valley region. The park ecology comprises the Mkungunero game controlled area and the Kwakuchinja and Mto Wa Mbu game controlled areas. The park is situated in the southern region of Arusha. Access is available via a well-maintained paved road, requiring a drive of only 2 to 3 hours. The journey is highly picturesque via the Great Rift Valley, local plantations, and the cultural centers of the Maasai people (Manyata). It is located along the primary safari road that links the premier tourist attractions in northern Tanzania. The charming, serene, safeguarded region is among the most accessible parks. The park is accessible via both road and air travel. Domestic flights are accessible from Arusha directly to the park’s minor airstrips.
Tarangire National Park is distinguished by the seven natural wonders of Africa, which include Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This park is accessible year-round owing to its good climatic conditions. The flora is characterized by short meadows and Baobab trees. The optimal period to visit the park is during the extended dry season, which spans from June to September. The park is accessible from December to February.
Attractions in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is endowed by nature with a diverse array of attractions. These are the principal elements that the guests observe. The following are attractions observable during your wildlife safari at the park.
Birds
This park is home to around 500 bird species that reside there permanently. The varied range of habitats in the park has provided a conducive environment for the diverse bird species there. The park accommodates water birds, savannah grassland avifauna, and forest-dwelling birds. The Ash starlings greet the guests at the park headquarters. The park is home to various bird species, including Ash starlings, hornbills, woodpeckers, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Northern white-crowned shrike, Black-necked weaver, white-faced whistling duck, red-billed hornbill, pygmy falcon, African Marsh harrier, Black-headed heron, African Hoopoe, kori bustard, and Lilac-breasted roller, among others.
Maasai community
The park was initially occupied by the Maasai indigenous population. Following the park’s designation and official declaration, the local inhabitants were displaced from the area and established their residences in the vicinity of the park. The Maasai are among the African peoples with the most distinctive culture and traditions on the continent. Only the Maasai people remain unaffected by the influences of modernization on their culture. The tribes adjacent to the park include the Barbaiq, also known as Mangati, Wambugwe, and wa Iraqw. Each of these tribes possesses distinct cultures that enhance the tourist sector in Tanzania.
Wildlife
The park is home to about 3,000 elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes, representing four of the African Big Five, with only rhinos absent. In Tarangire National Park, the eldest elephant gave birth to twins, which are now fully grown adults. Situated along the Maasai Steppe and adjacent highlands to the south, which provide plenty fresh grass for rare antelope species such as the fringed-eared oryx and long-necked gerenuk.
Additional fauna in Tarangire National Park including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, cheetahs, leopards, lions, elephants, honey badgers, African wild dogs, mongooses, baboons, monkeys, dik-diks, wildebeests, and more.
Activities conducted in Tarangire National Park
Hot Air Balloon Expeditions
Tarangire National Park is one of the few national parks in Tanzania and all of East Africa that offers hot air balloon safaris. Appreciate the eagle’s perspective in the park while you hover above the Baobab trees. This is a distinctive experience that allows for intimate observation of wildlife in their natural habitat without off-tracking. The hot air balloon safaris in Tarangire National Park occur early in the morning along the Tarangire River. The Hot Air Balloon safaris are conducted by private operators, each with a daily capacity limit for participants.
Bird watching
Tarangire National area is home to around 500 bird species that inhabit various ecosystems within the area. This has established the area as a birdwatching haven where individuals equipped with appropriate birding instruments can observe. Birdwatching occurs during the wet months, specifically from March to May and in November, coinciding with the birds’ nesting season. Utilizing a high-quality camera and binoculars, one can capture live aerial footage. This month, the park also receives migrating birds from Africa and several European nations. The most hospitable avian species encompass: Ashy starlings, Secretary birds, lovebirds, hornbills, woodpeckers, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Northern white-crowned shrike, Black-necked weaver, white-faced whistling duck, red-billed hornbill, pygmy falcon, African Marsh harrier, Black-headed heron, African Hoopoe, kori bustard, and Lilac-breasted roller, among others.
Safari adventures
The wildlife drives provide the optimal opportunity to experience the African environment utilizing 4×4 safari vehicles. Extended game drives are more rewarding and can be conducted early in the morning when the park remains vibrant. Additional game drives include afternoon game drives, full-day game drives, and night game drives. The game drives are encompassed by the park entry costs; therefore, upon payment of the entry fees, one is granted access to all game drives. The park is home to permanent residents like as lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, kudu, and oryx, among others. Game drives in Tarangire occur year-round, however the optimal months are during the dry season when the terrain is arid.