Tarangire

The land of elephants, iconic baobabs and breathtaking landscapes

Most travellers to northern Tanzania are on their way to the world-famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; few realise that the region is also home to one of the country’s most rewarding reserves – the Tarangire National Park.

Why Visit Tarangire

Despite its easy accessibility, Tarangire is the least-visited destination on the so-called Northern Safari Circuit. Don’t let that put you off however: a Tarangire safari at the right time of year can deliver some of Tanzania’s best game viewing.

Best known for its elephant herds and tree-climbing lions, Tarangire is home to all the classic African savannah species plus a few unusual ones – such as the long-necked gerenuk – that you won’t see in the Serengeti. It’s home to all the big predators and with 550 species of bird on the tick list, it’s a fabulous destination for bird watchers.

When to visit

But it’s Tarangire’s dry season that will have you reaching for the superlatives. Between June and October, the Tarangire River (running north-south through the park) attracts huge numbers of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and many antelope species. Go on a Tarangire safari at this time of year to see concentrations of animals rivalled only by those in the Ngorongoro Crater but, in the case of Tarangire, in a largely crowd-free environment.

The arrival of the short rains in November and December triggers a dispersal of animals away from the river, especially grazers like wildebeest and zebra. January and February are generally dry but the rain returns in March and visitors should avoid the heavy rains of April and May when much of the park is inaccessible and most camps close.

Tarangire Landscapes

More densely vegetated than the open grasslands of the Serengeti, Tarangire is mostly covered in open woodland with thick forest set along the river – ideal cover for leopards. It’s also the best place in northern Tanzania to see the oddest-looking tree in Africa – the ‘upside down tree’ or baobab.

Where to Stay

Travellers planning a safari to Tarangire will be pleased to hear that there’s plenty of excellent Tarangire National Park accommodation available in the park – ranging from family-friendly camps to honeymoon hideaways – and the park combines easily with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara to make up the Northern Safari Circuit’s quartet of safari destinations.

Visiting Tarangire National Park from January to March

January to March sits in the middle of Tarangire's green season. The vegetation is at its greenest and fullest, providing incredible natural backdrops for your safari adventures. It is also the best time to enjoy birding in the region, with over 500 species of sedentary and migratory birds found around the park. Some commonly spotted birds include crested francolins, hoopoes, hornbills, steppe eagles, brown parrots, bateleur eagles and gigantic lappet-faced vultures.

Travelling through Tarangire National Park in April & May

April and May usher in the peak of Tarangire's wet season, where the park sees heavy downfall and the risk of malaria is at its highest. It's not all doom and gloom though. This period coincides with the region's low tourist season, which means you can take advantage of the cheaper accommodation rates and fewer crowds. Birdwatching is excellent at this time, and game viewing is good, although you won't see as many animals as you would in the dry season. This is largely due to the dense vegetation making it difficult to spot game, as well as dry season game, such as oryx and gerenuk, migrating out of the park.

Travelling to Tarangire National Park from June to October

For optimal game viewing conditions, June to October is when to visit Tarangire National Park. Falling in the region's dry season, the vegetation thins out, making it much easier to spot wildlife, and the rapidly depleting water supply leaves only a handful of water sources for animals to gather around – namely, the Tarangire River and the swamps of the river valley.

When travelling to Tarangire in the dry season, you could see the region's most famous attraction, the tree-climbing lions, as well as leopards, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, spotted hyenas, and elephants. And the cherry on top is that mosquito and fly populations are at their lowest from June to October – meaning, the risk of malaria is also at its lowest and there'll be no annoying pests buzzing around your head!

Visiting Tarangire National Park During November & December

November and December are the start of Tarangire National Park's green season. The landscape receives its first drops of rain in months, bringing the terrain to life. The vegetation transforms from dull, lifeless browns to vibrant, lush greenery. Flowers start to bloom, and acacia and baobab trees are revived. Animals bring new life into the world, and migrant birds return. In a nutshell, Tarangire National Park is reborn during this period, and it is a magical sight to behold in person.

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