About Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park is one of the top wildlife destinations in Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. Covering an impressive 2,850 km², it is the second-largest national park in Tanzania after Serengeti National Park and offers some of the most stunning landscapes and wildlife experiences in the country. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which flows through it and serves as a vital water source for wildlife during the dry season.

Tarangire is renowned for its massive elephant herds, majestic baobab trees, and unique wildlife including tree-climbing pythons. The park is especially remarkable in the dry season (June–September), when water becomes scarce elsewhere and animals congregate along the river and seasonal ponds, making sightings spectacular and unforgettable.

Wildlife and Birdlife

Tarangire boasts incredible biodiversity. Visitors can expect to see:

• Large herds of elephants (up to 300 individuals at a time)

• Grazing herbivores including wildebeest, zebras, hartebeest, gazelles, impalas, elands, and buffalo

• Predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs

• Unique species like the long-necked gerenuk and peripheral-eared oryx

The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to more than 550 bird species, including the bright yellow-collared lovebird, rufous-tailed weaver, ashy starling, and large species such as Kori bustards, ostriches, and ground hornbills. Many birds thrive in the park’s wetlands, which remain green year-round.

Smaller wildlife adds charm to the park, such as dwarf mongooses, red-breasted barbets, and other fascinating species often found around termite mounds or along the riverbanks.

Scenic Landscapes

The park’s open savannahs and acacia forests are dotted with iconic baobab trees and ancient sausage trees, which often serve as lookout points for lions and leopards. During the dry season, wildlife gathers near water sources, creating some of the most dramatic wildlife viewing in Tanzania.

Tarangire also features seasonal wetlands, lush riverbanks, and rolling plains that support a rich mix of mammals, birds, and reptiles, making it one of the most diverse safari locations in Tanzania.

Activities in Tarangire National Park

Visitors to Tarangire can enjoy a variety of safari experiences, including:

• Game drives in open safari vehicles to spot elephants, lions, and other wildlife

• Guided walking safaris for a more intimate connection with nature

• Birdwatching tours, particularly in wetlands and along rivers

• Cultural visits to Maasai and Barabaig villages

• Exploring ancient rock paintings along the Dodoma route near Kolo

The park is accessible via surfaced roads from Arusha or Lake Manyara, and there are charter flights connecting the Serengeti to Arusha for faster travel. Visitors can stay inside the park or in nearby lodges, depending on their preferences, and safaris can last from one to three days.

Best Time to Visit Tarangire

Although Tarangire National Park can be visited year-round, the dry season from June to September is ideal for wildlife viewing. During this period, water sources shrink, drawing large herds of animals to the river and seasonal ponds, making game drives especially rewarding. The green season (November–May) offers lush scenery, fewer tourists, and opportunities for birdwatching, but wildlife is more dispersed.

Why Visit Tarangire National Park

African Fish Eagle, Tarangire National Park

Tarangire stands out for its tremendous elephant populations, scenic baobab-studded landscapes, and diverse wildlife and birdlife. It is also less crowded than other Tanzanian parks, providing a more exclusive and immersive safari experience. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, birdwatcher, or seeking a cultural encounter with local tribes, Tarangire National Park delivers a truly unforgettable Tanzanian safari adventure.