Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is known for having one of the largest groups of elephants in the world. The park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometers, making it the sixth largest national park in Tanzania.
The park gets its name from the Tarangire River, which is the only source of water for wildlife in the area. Studies show that more bird species breed in Tarangire than anywhere else on Earth. The park has the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after Serengeti. In 2015, a white giraffe was seen in the park.
Tarangire National Park has different types of plants, including Savannah grasslands, baobab trees, sausage trees, and acacia trees. Even though it is part of Tanzania’s northern parks circuit, many travelers visit Serengeti and Ngorongoro but miss Tarangire. This makes Tarangire less crowded, giving visitors a true wilderness experience.
During the wet season, many animals gather near the Tarangire River from nearby areas. The park was created in 1970. Its landscape includes swamps, river valleys, rocky ridges, and hills.
Tarangire is also home to the oldest known elephant that gave birth to twins. The park is famous not only for its elephant population but also for many baobab trees and termite mounds that dot the land.
History
The area around Tarangire was first lived in by Nilotic and other Bantu-speaking peoples until the 6th to 9th centuries when the Maa-speaking people arrived. By 1880, the Maasai people controlled the region.
In 1900, outbreaks of smallpox and pleuropneumonia killed many local people. An outbreak of rinderpest later reduced wildlife and livestock numbers. European colonialists then displaced the Maasai to develop agriculture on the land.
By 1970, rinderpest was controlled, and wildlife and livestock populations started to recover. However, a severe drought in 1962 and 1963 killed many animals and livestock.
By 1967, agriculture became important to the national economy. Many farms were set up in Tarangire to grow crops for export. This brought many people from Arusha and Kilimanjaro to farm the land. The Maasai, who did not farm, were pushed out along with wildlife to less fertile areas.
In 1970, Tarangire Game Reserve was upgraded to a national park. However, many traditional wildlife migration routes had been blocked by farms and commercial interests. In 2001, land formerly used for ranching was turned into a conservation trust to protect the wildlife migration corridor.
Entry Fee
Entry fees for Ngorongoro Conservation Area are as follows: foreign non-resident adults pay $45, foreign non-resident children and students pay $15 each. Foreign residents pay 10,000 Tanzanian shillings for adults and 2,000 shillings for children and students. East African citizens pay 10,000 shillings for adults and 2,000 shillings for children and students. Prices may change from time to time, so it is best to check current fees before visiting.
Animals
Tarangire is one of the best places to see wildlife in Tanzania. You can find animals such as African bush elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, African cape buffalos, mongooses, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, lions, fringed-eared oryx, African wild dogs, hartebeests, caracals, honey badgers, elands, impalas, gazelles, rhinos, kudus, and many more.
Birding
The park is also a bird watcher’s paradise with over 550 species recorded. Some birds you may see are yellow-collared lovebirds, mouse-colored penduline tits, ostriches, pink-breasted larks, bare-faced go-away birds, African grey flycatchers, Donaldson Smith’s nightjars, great white pelicans, vulturine guineafowl, rufous-tailed weavers, state-colored boubous, Von der Decken’s hornbills, kori bustards, northern white-crowned shrikes, northern pied warblers, and others. The best time for bird watching is from November to April.
Cultural Encounters
The communities near Tarangire include the Maasai, Datooga, Barabaig, and other groups. The Maasai have a unique culture that is well known across East Africa. Visiting a Maasai village gives you a chance to learn about their traditions, enjoy their traditional dances, and support them by buying handmade crafts as souvenirs.
Nature Guided Walks
You can explore Tarangire National Park on foot with an armed guide. These walks allow you to see animals, especially primates and birds. You will also enjoy beautiful views of the park.
Location
Tarangire National Park is about 100 kilometers southwest of Arusha town and 7 kilometers off the Arusha-Dodoma road. You can also fly into the park by using Tarangire or Kuro airstrips.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Tarangire National Park any time of the year. The best time to see wildlife is during the dry season from June to September when animals gather around water points and the plants are less thick, making it easier to spot animals. The best time for bird watching is from November to April when migratory birds from North Africa and Europe arrive.
Accommodation
There are many places to stay in Tarangire National Park. Your choice will depend on your budget. Some of the options include Eco Science Centre and Luxury Lodge, Oliver’s Camp, Angata Tarangire, Corfield Camp, Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge, Osupuko Lodge, Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp, Samba Lodge, Sopa Lodge, Maramboi Tented Camp, Kikoti Tented Camp, Boundary Hill Lodge, Whistling Thorn Tented Camp, and others.
