The Kingdom of Elephants and Giants of Africa. Home to some of the largest concentrations of elephants on the continent, ancient baobab trees, and over 550 bird species. Experience the wild beauty of Tanzania's 6th largest national park.
Northern Tanzania, South of Lake Manyara
2,850 sq km
6th Largest Park in Tanzania
Elephant Herds & Baobab Trees
Late June to October
Northern Safari Circuit
Tarangire National Park received its name from the Tarangire River that flows through the northern portion of the park. The river becomes the primary source of water for the animals residing in the park during the dry season.
Tarangire National Park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometers. It lies between the meadows of the Masai Steppe in the southeast and rift valley lakes in the north and west. Tarangire's landscape is made of granite ridges, river valleys, and swamps. Its vegetation is a mix of woodlands, seasonally flooded grassland, and baobab trees.
Labelled as one of the seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire National Park sees a lot of migratory movement within its vast and varied ecosystem. The unique climatic conditions allow you to enjoy the incredible scenery while seeing resting lions, sneaking leopards, and graceful antelopes.
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). 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.
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. From grasslands dotted with giant baobab trees to rugged channels, rocky hills, bushlands, and riverine woodlands.
| Habitat | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Red Termite Mounds |
• Huge red termite mounds are spread throughout the landscapes of Tarangire National Park • Some of them are twice the size of an adult human being |
| Baobab Trees |
• The baobabs of Tarangire are called the tree of life • The trunk of an ancient baobab can grow to be about 100 ft. in circumference • One baobab tree in the park was found to be more than 1000 years old |
| Tarangire River and Lake Burunge |
• Both these bodies of water are the perfect place to see migratory birds • Plus, a lot of animals come to these freshwaters to quench their thirst, making for great sightings |
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.
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.
This is the best way to get to Tarangire National Park.
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.
The Weather In Tarangire National Park is temperate and pleasant. The wet seasons have two spells of showers – the short rains (in November and December) and the long rains (from March to May).
| Time of 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. Rainfall in Tarangire happens for 113 days and collects up to 714mm of precipitation.
Highest UV index (12): January to April and August to December
Lowest UV index (10): June
| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
This is the middle of the dry season of the park. The vegetation is green and this offers the perfect backdrops for your safari adventures and photographic tours. This is also a great time for birdwatching as over 500 species of resident and migrant species are present in the park.
These months are the peak of the wet season in the park. This means that you can benefit from discounted accommodation costs plus there will be a lot fewer crowds around. Birdwatching is excellent during this period though you won't be able to see as many animals compared to other months.
If you want an optimal Safari in Tanzania experience, then the dry season of Tarangire is the time and place to be. These months have shorter vegetation which makes seeing animals a lot more convenient. Moreover, many herds of animals gather around different water sources including the Tarangire River. Thus, a Day Trip to Tarangire National Park from June to October will be an incredible adventure.
This time marks the beginning of the green season in Tarangire National Park. The surroundings of the park are reborn during this period and it'll be a magical sight to see on a Tanzania Safari.
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.
Lions, African Bush Elephants, Leopards, Hippos, Cheetahs, Cape Buffaloes
Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Hartebeests, Kudus
Jackals, Hyenas, African Wild Dogs
Wildebeests, Common Elands, Gerenuks, Impalas, Fringe-eared Oryxes
Some other highlights of Tarangire National Park Animals include vervet monkeys, olive baboons, honey badgers, dwarves and banded mongooses.
Tarangire National Park is one of the best places across Africa to see elephants. Tarangire's elephants' herds can reach more than 300 individuals. You'll see these wonderful creatures sloshing about in piles of mud and bathing at the different water sources.
This experience is guaranteed to leave permanent memories because where on Earth can you witness herds and herds of elephants in their natural habitat comfortable with their surroundings?
Another animal that's synonymous with the name Tarangire is the lion. There are about 650 lions in the park, and they can be often seen lazing atop sausage and acacia trees.
Tarangire is one of the few Tanzanian destinations where you can expect great sightings of both gerenuks and Oryxes. So, a rare and exciting wildlife safari is guaranteed in 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.
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? Here are some reasons why you should consider visiting Tarangire.
Now that you know why you should visit Tarangire National Park, it's time to move on to the next step – the major attractions of the park.
One such distinct feature of Tarangire is the distant Silale swamp. During the wet season, the swamp tends to soak up water like a big sponge and slowly releases it during the dry season acting as a water source.
This wetland is visited by huge herds of herbivores and thus attracts predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs. 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. These trees are succulents that are capable of holding a large amount of water in their trunks during the wet season.
The high water content allows them to produce nutrient-rich fruit during the dry season, which is like a saviour for birds and animals flourishing in the park when everything else goes dry and barren. Thus, justifying the name "The tree of Life". These trees have a vast life expectancy of nearly 600 years and their trunks can retain up to 300 litres of water.
A good number of migratory movements characterize Tarangire National Park. The seasonal nature of the park facilitates wildlife migration within its ecosystem.
During the dry season, the whole of Tarangire dries out. Large herds of herbivores can be seen making their move toward the limited water sources available within the park. The Tarangire River continues to be a lifeline for its inmates during the dry spell.
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.
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 area forms a triangular-shaped zone with huge baobab trees along both sides of the road and also includes different types of acacia trees. The Mahogany trees and the toothbrush bushes also flood the region.
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. 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.
During the dry season which prevails from July through October, the park attracts many animals that roam far-off places. The reason is the water supply of the Tarangire River and seasonal swamps which retain a good amount of water to support life forms.
Zebras, wildebeests, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, buffalos, hartebeests, and herds of elephants come to this river to cool off. 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 Matete woodland is a unique land consisting of tall elephant grass and acacia woodlands. A good number of baobab trees are also found towering over the vast flora and fauna found in the region. These woodlands provide habitat for many types of animals and birds find an ideal resting space on them. Vervet monkeys and baboons are also common in this area and Lions are the major predator inhabiting the woodland.
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? Here's a comprehensive list of activities on offer in the park.
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?
This scene looks right out of a movie. But, you get to experience this cinematic experience right on your safari in the wildlife kingdom of Tarangire National Park.
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? We at African Scenic Safaris put a special emphasis on conducting sustainable and responsible tours as well as fun.
You can 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.
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.
Charming and spacious rooms overlooking some incredible landscapes.
Spacious rooms with personal outdoor decks.
Located in a private concession, adjacent to a riverbed.
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. They formulate entry fees and other guidelines for visitors.
| Category | High Season | Low Season |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | $29 | $26 |
| Non-Residents | $59 | $53 |
| Children (5 to 15 age) - Residents | $8 | $8 |
| Children (5 to 15 age) - Non-Residents | $17 | $17 |
There are a bunch of reasons why Tarangire National Park should be on everyone's Tanzania Safari Packages. Here 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. Experience the awe-inducing wonders of Tarangire National Park with our tailored Tanzania Safari Packages.
Expert guides with deep knowledge of elephant behavior
One of the few parks where walking safaris are permitted
550+ bird species for the ultimate birding experience