INTRODUCTION
Tarangire National Park is located in the Manyara Region, just south of Lake Manyara in Tanzania’s north of country, and is part of the Northern Tanzania safari loop. The Park is located in between Masai Steppe meadows towards the southeast, and the Great Rift Valley lakes to the northwest. One of Tanzania’s top wildlife locations, Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant populations and the state’s greatest birdwatching. About 250,000 animals migrate into the park during the dry season, rendering it one of the most famous wildlife destinations in Tanzania. The 2,850 square kilometer Tarangire National Park is the sixth-largest national park in Tanzania.
The Tarangire River, a permanent river in the park’s northern region, serves as the primary water supply for both the ecosystem and the park as a whole. The Tarangire River, which exits the park in the northwest quadrant and empties into Lake Burungi, is how the park earned its name. There are a number of large wetlands along the river’s banks, especially in the south, which often dry up into verdant plains during the dry season.
History of the Park
The Park used to be well-known for its hunting activities, whereby hunters would hunt and herdsmen would graze their livestock. The Tarangire national park was established as one of the nation’s game reserves in 1957 with the express intention of preserving the region during the dry season when several animal species took refuge in various locations. The Park, which included numerous large marshes and the Tarangire River, was then constituted as a national park by the Tanzanian government in 1970.
Weather and climate of Tarangire National Park
Tarangire has a temperate and pleasant climate. March to May (heavy rains) and November to December are the wet seasons (small rains). It usually rains in the afternoon or at night, and only rarely all day. The days are never too hot, and the evenings and mornings are refreshingly cool. Sunrise safaris should also be dressed warmly. The hottest months are January to March and October to December, when temperatures range between 17 and 29 degrees Celsius. The coldest months are April to September when temperatures range between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The vegetation of Tarangire
The river valley and marshy regions make up the scenery. Baobab trees, combretum woodlands, and acacia woods make up the vegetation. The Tarangire National Park game drive is a wonderful experience thanks to the breathtaking vistas of the African savannah plus the mountains to the south of the park.
Activities to do in Tarangire National Park
Game drives in Tarangire National Park
The most often conducted activities by tourists visiting Tanzania on Tarangire National Park safaris are game drives in the park. All times of the day, wildlife drives are available at Tarangire National Park. Early morning, late afternoon, and evening wildlife drives are provided at Tarangire National Park. Early game drives in Tarangire National Park can start as early as six in the morning, giving you the opportunity to observe the park come to life when the early risers emerge in search of a meal.
Visitors will ride along a variety of routes during game drives in the park, including Lemiyon, western Lake Barungi, Kitibong Hill, Gursi, and Lamarku, which offer excellent views of wildlife species like elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, elands, impalas, greater and lesser kudus, warthogs, and others that will be grazing in open grassland plains, predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and cheetahs, among others, will be searching for a morning quest, as well as beautiful baobab and acacia trees, bird species such as ostriches, yellow collared lovebirds, and Kori bustards.
Birding
See a vast range of stunning and uncommon bird species. In the marshes of Tarangire, there are around 550 distinct species of birds. Those who enjoy watching birds and wish to have a long safari often travel to Tarangire. Both migratory and permanent birds live in the park. Migratory birds from all over the world show up. These birds mostly come to the park during the rainy season, from March to May, to breed. They show up on occasion in November, whenever the park experiences relatively short rains. The green weather, when the birds are trying to breed, is the ideal moment to go birding. Tarangire’s birdlife includes the following species: Crested francolins, hoopoes, yellow-necked spurfowl, hornbills, guinea fowl, steppe eagles, brown parrots, the massive lappet-faced vulture, white-bellied go away bird, bateleur eagles, mouse birds, Kori bustards, yellow-collared lovebirds, bee-eaters, and lilac-breasted
Nature walks
This unique method of wildlife seeing comprises walking through Tarangire National Park’s breathtaking wilderness and getting close to the local species. A ranger guide accompanies the tourists as they travel around the area. Walking safaris are an excellent way to explore Tarangire National Park, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with nature, scenery, and animals such as giraffes, elephants, and zebras, among many others. See colourful butterflies and different bird species; breathe fresh air and listen to the sounds of your footsteps in rarely-walked-on grounds in Africa’s wilderness.
Cultural encounter
Tarangire National Park is surrounded by Maasai villages, which attract tourists to explore and learn about their culture because they are unique in there-own lifestyles such as dressing style, origin, stories, way of dancing, and cultural products made by Maasai people that tourists can buy as a way of supporting a specific community or village, and ornaments to visitors used as decorations. The Maasai are one of more than 120 tribes in Tanzania that are living their reality and are not being forced to change their culture, which distinguishes them from other cultures or tribes in Tanzania.
Hot air balloon safari
A hot air balloon safari above Tarangire National Park gives you a bird’s-eye perspective of the area and enables you to see a variety of species in addition to other sights. A bush breakfast follows a hot air balloon tour in Tarangire National Park.
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park
Although Tarangire National Park is open all year long, the dry season, sometimes referred to as the peak season, which lasts from June to October as well as December to February, would be the ideal time to visit. The roads to Tarangire National Park are straightforward, the foliage is sparse, allowing you to plainly see animals, and the majority of wildlife species congregate near water sources to drink water, enabling stunning wildlife sights and a chance to capture amazing images.
The finest period for bird watching, when enthusiasts can view vibrant and migrating bird species from Europe and North Africa, is during the wet season, often referred to as the low season, which lasts from March to April and November.
Location and how to get there
Northern Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park is close to Lake Manyara National Park and accessible by car from Arusha, also referred to as the “Geneva of Africa.” In addition, the park is located between the Maasai Steppe meadows to the southeast and the Great Rift Valley lakes to the north and west. Tarangire’s permanent River is located in the northern part of the park.
Flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), which is around 46 kilometres or 29 miles away, is the most advised route to reach Arusha town. Arusha Airport can alternatively be reached by flying into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), which is close to the capital city of Dar es Salaam (ARK). By Road; The drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park is about 140 km and takes about two to three hours.
Accommodation at Tarangire National Park
During your safari in Tarangire National Park, you can stay in a variety of accommodation options. There is luxury, midrange, budget, and camping options available. Below is the brief explanation about some of the accommodation facilities in Tarangire Park;
Tarangire Treetops Lodge
It is located in a private reserve that borders both Tarangire National Park and the nearby maasai stepped, which is the most well-known luxury establishment in the park. With views of Lake Manyara, the rift valley wall, and Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day, this establishment boasts some of the largest safari rooms in the nation. The suites are built around enormous baobab trees. It features 20 unique tree houses with private bathrooms, including double showers with hot and cold water, big balconies, and modern furnishings made of natural materials. Among the extras are a well-stocked bar, a spotless pool, and a top-notch dining establishment.
Tarangire Safari Lodge
Approximately 7 km from the main gate of Tarangire National Park and 120 km (or roughly 2 hours) from the town of Arusha, the Tarangire Safari Lodge is situated inside the park on the summit of a bluff with a spectacular view of the Tarangire River below. 40 guest rooms are available at Tarangire Safari Lodge, including 24 twins, 11 double, and 5 triple occupancy bungalows constructed from local stone in the shape of Maasai huts. All of the guest rooms include an en suite bathroom (shower, solar-heated water), as well as a verandah. The lodge has a sizable open-air dining area where guests may enjoy worldwide home-style safari fare. Coffee and tea are offered free of charge throughout the day. Little children can have dinner early at the resort, and the chefs can accommodate special dietary needs. A well-stocked bar and lounge, an outdoor pool, a kiddie pool, laundry services, and a gift store are among the additional amenities. At the main lounge, WiFi is available, however there are fees.
The Nimali Tarangire Lodge
On Tarangire National Park’s eastern edge is where you’ll find the Nimali Tarangire Lodge. The Swahili term for wealth is Nimali, and this opulent resort features ten suites with private decks, rain showers, double sink vanities, reading nooks, and charging ports.
In addition to other features, Nimali Tarangire Lodge contains a dining room, a big lounge, a library, and a pool. The lodge is tucked away in a private concession alongside a river bed, surrounded by acacia and baobab trees. Natural materials, modern furnishings made of earthy materials, and a swimming pool that looks out onto a watering hole where animals like elephants can be seen all contribute to the lodge’s charm. Elephants, for example, can be seen.
Sanctuary Swala Camp
The Sanctuary Swala Camp was created under the shelter of enormous acacia trees and offers uninterrupted views over the nearby wide Savannah terrain. It is situated in one of the most remote parts of this National Park. It has 12 opulent canvas tent rooms with king-sized mattresses, plush sofas, and private bathrooms. Each accommodation has unlimited Wi-Fi, a fully stocked bar where guests may sip cocktails, and is actually a true haven of luxury in Tanzania’s bush. There is a pool, a campfire pit, and a sizable terrace where visitors may see various wildlife from the comfort of their rooms.
Lake Burunge Tented Camp
Tarangire National Park’s Lake Burunge Tented Camp is outside the park, 30 kilometres from the entrance, and 156 kilometres or so from Arusha. In addition to 10 luxury cottages with ensuite bathroom bathrooms, big beds with mosquito nets, private verandahs, walkways, and solar lighting with a backup generator, Lake Burunge features 20 guest tents with raised floors and thatched roofs. A laundry facility, curio/gift store, public internet access, guided nature walks, cultural excursions to nearby Mbugwe communities, and a restaurant and bar with a raised wooden terrace are also available.
Oliver’s camp
Oliver’s camp is located close to the Silale marshes in Tarangire National Park’s southernmost region. A family tent that sleeps four people and a honeymoon tent are among the 10 tented camps that make up the camp. Oliver’s camp also has a family tent. Oliver’s camp rooms come equipped with king-sized beds or twin beds, ensuite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, flushing toilets, an in-room lockable box, and other features. Moreover, the lodge offers laundry services to its visitors. The lodge also features a lounge and eating room, as well as a deck where visitors may unwind and read while watching for animals in the neighboring savannah, including zebras, antelopes, kudu, and elephants.