Tarangire is one of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania with a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. In the dry season, between June and October, large herds of animals are attracted to the Tarangire River. At this time, the elephant numbers are spectacular. The park should be part of any safari in northern Tanzania.
Pros and Cons
- Top general wildlife viewing in the dry season
- Incredible concentration of elephants in the dry season
- Excellent birding with many dry-country specials
- Stunning scenery with many baobab trees
- Excellent mid-range and luxury lodges
- It gets crowded during peak season (June to October)
- Animals are scattered in the wet season
Wildlife
Herds of up to 300 elephants can be found, looking for underground streams, in the dry riverbeds while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle,hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Dry-country antelope such as fringe-eared oryx and the long-necked gerenuk are also regularly spotted. Abandoned termite-mounds often house mongoose colonies. All the main predators are present but, because of thick vegetation, not spotted as often as in some of the other parks in northern Tanzania.
Scenery
The park’s dominant feature is the Tarangire River. Although it gets very dry, the park is relatively thickly vegetated with acacia shrubs and mixed woodland. Most memorable of which are the huge baobab trees dotted around in big numbers.
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
In the morning drive to Tarangire park with packed lunch for full day game viewing. With a permanent water source, the park is virtually guaranteed enormous herds and excellent game viewing including cheetah, lion (some tree-climbing!), leopard and hyena and a herd of 3,500 elephants. The park is also host to a number of rare species including eland, oryx, kudu and gerenuk. Our accommodations are at Tarangire Sopa Lodge, a tranquil oasis overlooking the rolling plains.
Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge or Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Tarangire – Arusha
After an early breakfast, morning game drive in Tarangire Park before heading out of the Park. The safari ends back in Arusha around noon with a Lunch in Arusha Town.
Meal Plan {Breakfast & Lunch}
