Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park has some of the highest population density
of elephants anywhere in Tanzania, and its sparse vegetation, strewn
with baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and special location.
Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire
is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit
on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into
two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely
throughout.Before the rains, droves of gazelle, wildebeest, zebra,
and giraffes migrate to Tarangire National Park’s scrub plains
where the last grazing land still remains. Tarangire offers unparalleled
game viewing, and during the dry season elephants abound. Families
of the pachyderms play around the ancient trunks of baobab trees
and strip acacia bark from the thorn trees for their afternoon meal.
Breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the
south make a stop at Tarangire a memorable experience.
Tarangire
Tarangire is centred around the Tarangire River which provides
permanent water throughout the year. There are nine vegetational
zones ranging from acacia parkland and riverine grassland to deep
gully vegetation and rocky hilltops. Between them they support large
numbers of wildlife including large herds of zebra, impala, wildebeest
as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, eland, big cats
(especially cheetah) and many birds (over 300 species).
The vegetation is predominantly denser here than in the Serengeti,
giving it a wilder feeling and making it more challenging to spot
the wildlife. Due to the permanent water of the Tarangire River,
the park is best in the dry season between June/July and November,
when it has Tanzania’s highest concentration of wildlife converging
around the river.
