Tarangire National Park is about 120 km from Arusha, bordered with Tarangire Wildlife conservation area. Tarangire National Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs north to south through the park. During most of the year there are fresh water pools and swamp areas that form. These attract and support all kinds of wildlife year round, and it's easy to find herds of Zebras, Wildebeests, and Elephants spread throughout the park.
During the dry season, as the surrounding areas dry up, the Tarangire river becomes the only reliable source of water. As this happens the concentrations of all animals becomes denser as more and more animals congregate in less and less space.
The first thing you will notice upon entering Tarangire National Park are the massive Baobab Trees. Their strange, leafless, root-like appearance make them look like massive upside down potato roots. The tree is actually less like hard wood and more of a light material like Balsa. Elephants are known to dig in to their wide bases when water is scarce to suck out moisture from the trunk fiber.
Things to do in Tarangire National Park
Wildlife viewing, Culture tour to the nearby villages, bird watching in the park and outside the park, walking excursions on the conservation area, and visiting Koro Rocks in Kondoa Irangi.
When to visit Tarangire National Park for wildlife Safaris
June to October is the best time to see large number of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, and hartebeest. Not all animals are migratory though, other animals such as giraffes, Impala, Eland, lesser kudu, waterbuck, gazelle and leopards can be seen throughout the year. More people are attracted by the giant pythons and large herds of elephants. Tarangire National park is also famous for migrant birds.
Bird watching in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park has estimated to have more than 550 species of birds, including yellow collared lovebird, rufous-tailed weaver, helmeted guinea fowl, kori bustard, brown parrot, kestrels, harriers, buzzards, and eagles.