Size: 1,096 Square miles
Location: 75 miles southwest of Arusha.
Tarangire National Park is one of the finest parks in the Northern Circuit. The park has some of the highest population density of elephants than anywhere in Tanzania, and its sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and special location. The park offers a wide variety of animals and is famous for its large concentration of wildlife population, which often migrates into the park from surrounding plains in search of water from the Tarangire River. Tarangire National Park is a popular stop for safari goers through the northern circuit on their way to the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
Wildlife
Tarangire National Park has the largest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem. Animals migrating into the park include elephants, wildebeest, gazelle, elands, buffalo, gerenuks, hartebeest, zebra, fringe eared Oryx and over 550 species of birds, the most breeding species in any one habitat. Bird species includes mouse birds, yellow parrots, wood and hoopoes.
Also conspicuous are the majestic baobab trees scattered across the park, with some of the trees being over 300 years old.
How To Get There
The Park can be accessed easily with a drive from Arushaor Lake Manyara following a surfaced road to within 7km (four miles) of the main entrance gate. Charter flights from Arusha and the Serengeti can also access the park.
What To Do (Activities)
Activities in the park include game drives and guided walking safaris. Day trips to Maasai and Barabaig villages, as well as to the hundreds of ancient rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo on the Dodoma Road can also be arranged.
When to go
Best time to visit is June to September, although park is accessible all year round.
