TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Location
Tarangire National Park lies between the meadows of Masai steppe to the south east and the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. Within the northern part of Tarangire there is a permanent River Tarangire which also known as the life-line of the park particularly in the dry season when most of the region is totally dry. This park flows northwards until it exits the park in the north-western corner to pour into Lake Burungi. There are a number of wide swamps which dry into green plains during the dry season in the south.
Tarangire National Park is ranking as the 6th largest National Park in Tanzania and covering an area of 2600 square kilometres, it is most popular for its large elephant herds and mini-wildlife migration that takes place during the dry season which sees about 250,000 animals enter the park.
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Vegetation in Tarangire National Park
The permanent Tarangire river is the most dominant feature here and it’s after this river that the park got its name. there are number of large swamps that feed off some of its tributaries however, these are usually dry for most of the year but get very impassable during the rains. The Tarangire national park is usually very dry, even drier than Serengeti. However, its vegetation is much more green especially with lots of elephant grass, vast areas with mixed acacia woodlands and some of the wonderful ribbons of the aquatic forest not to forget the giant baobab trees that can live up to 600 years storing between 300 and 900 litres of water.
Animals in Tarangire National Park
You will be able to encounter various animals in Tarangire National Park. This park is a home of the largest elephant populations in Africa with several herds of about 300 members per herd. In addition, there are large numbers of buffaloes, bohor reedbuck, giraffes, impalas elands and among others. A few black rhinos are also thought to be still present in the park.
Tarangire Wildlife Migration
Every year during the dry season from June to November where Tarangire National Park hosts a wildlife migration which is not as dramatic as the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti but receives a large number of animals. Most of this part of the country is dry, Tarangire River remains the only source of water and consequently attracts large numbers of wildebeests, elephants, gazelles, zebras and hartebeest, buffaloes plus various predators like lions that come to drink and graze around the river banks. During the rain months of November to may, the zebras as well as large herds of wildebeests move into the North western direction towards Rift valley floor amongst the large numbers of animals that spread across the large open areas of the Masai steppe and dispersing all the way to lake Manyara.
Activities in Tarangire National Park
Game drives and walking tours
The primary Tanzania safari activity in this park is game driving however if you live outside the park boundaries you might be able to enjoy walking tours and night safaris.
Night game drives
Night game drives are allowed in Tarangire National Park however, not all accommodations offer these tours. Only those that have properly established all the requirements and regulations offered by TANAPA such as Swala and Oliver’s camp are allowed to conduct these walks.
Tarangire Balloon safaris
Join a hot air balloon ride over the Tarangire as you soar over the treetops of the Tarangire to enjoy exceptional perspective of wildlife like lions and ungulates right below you.
Birding in Tarangire National Park
Birding in Tarangire national park is another activity within the park which devotees will be able to spot various bird species.