48 hrs of Tarangire National Park
48 HOURS OF TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
48 hrs of Tarangire National Park : An unforgettable experience that may make you have many stories to tell when you are back in your home country, can be obtained in only 48 hours at Tarangire National Park. This is the third-largest park after Serengeti National Park and Kilimanjaro National Park among Tanzania Parks that are located in the Northern Zone. It is one of the best wildlife viewing parks, out of about twenty National Parks and Game Reserves in Tanzania. It is known for being home to a huge population of elephants estimated to be high in number than any park in Tanzania. Other attractions present in this park include over 500 bird species and the natural forests of baobab trees. The name of the park originated from the Tarangire River that crosses through it, being the only source of water during dry seasons. During the dry seasons, thousands of animals migrate to this national park, Tarangire River is also called the “lifeline” of the park particularly in the dry seasons. Reaching Tarangire National Park is easier because it is located in Northern Tanzania in the Arusha region. You can arrive there through two main ways; by air or by road. Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) you can hire a private jet to Tarangire or a private car which will take you about three hours. Tarangire National Park is approximately to be 140km takes about three hours to arrive at this park. The road route is considered to be a good way because it allows you to have a close view of the park as you can observe some animals when you are approaching the park. For visitors who land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), their best route to reach Tarangire is by air thus 48 hrs of Tarangire National Park.
Within 48 hours (2days) only, you will enjoy being surrounded by a lot of magical attractions present at Tarangire. You may have a well-organized timetable that could govern your tour throughout all the 48 hours you have selected. On your organizations don’t forget to include some spectacular attractions and iconic places of Tarangire. Make sure that your tour guide directs you to observe the unique attractions at Tarangire National Park is so famous for. For instance, the big population of elephant population which are the highest in number in overall National Parks in Tanzania. As I said earlier the Tarangire River is considered to be a “lifeline” of the park during the dry season especially from June to October. During this time, water is very scarce in other national parks causing a greater migration of elephants to Tarangire River and other streams of water within the park to cut their thirst. Most elephant migrants are from Maasai Mara in Kenya. Therefore, your 48 hours at Tarangire would reward you with views of such gigantic land animals on earth which are so clever. Apart from the large number of elephants found within the park Tarangire National Park, is also famous for baobab trees that are also known as living trees. These magical trees are naturally grown within the park and are said to have a long-life span of about 300 years. They are a significant source of food for various animals. These wonderful flora species will make every picture you capture appear beautiful and green. Yes, you don’t need a filter. In order to enjoy the scenes of these trees, you plan a nature walk with the aid of your tour guide. An armed ranger is always available on your walking Tanzania safari to keep you safe from aggressive wild animals and snakes. You have every reason to feel safe. On your walk, you will encounter other attractions like swamps and other smallest animals in the park. During that short time, you will develop a learning experience about the smaller animals within the bushland and allow you to observe the animals at close range.
Tarangire is not only comprised of elephants and baobab trees but also over 500 bird species. If you are not a birder, you will probably be interested in birds after your 48 hours stay at Tarangire. You will have to prepare binoculars and a camera (ask before carrying it). Tarangire is endowed with a variety of endemic and migratory species. Some of these species include northern white-crowned shrike, African hoopoe, black-headed heron, Ashy starling, Black-necked Weaver, Lilac-breasted roller, red-billed hornbill, and the yellow-billed stork to name a few. There are good viewing sites for birders and ornithologists. Within a day, you will also see other attractive animals like Big Five such as lions, black rhino, African elephant, buffalo, and leopard. Honestly, you may not spot the black rhino in this park. If you want to enjoy the views of these historical mammals whose life is very close to disappearing, consider planning a combo trip to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area thus 48 hrs of Tarangire National Park.
In Tarangire, there are so many natural sites for you to enjoy on your 48 hours stay. A lot of small species and big ones reside in these natural sites. There are also aquatic living organisms like crocodiles and species of fish that may be encountered in the Tarangire River and seasonal and permanent swamps. If you are a fan of fishing, you may learn a little bit. Other terrestrial species like tiger, zebras, gazelle, wildebeest, warthog, giraffes, eland, impalas, and other antelopes are also abundant in this park. So if you want to learn hunting consider asking for a permit from the authorities at the park and try your best.
On your limited first 24 hours, you may have also a night session to visit the park. During the night you would observe some kind of species specifically the aquatic organism getting out of the water to just look for terrestrial food. In the night you will encounter the nocturnal species. These species are active during the night and so they sleep during the day. They are also well known as diurnals and they include species like bats, owls, moths, foxes, hedgehogs and badgers, beaver, binturong Aardvark, and Aye Aye species. This will make you well exposed to nocturnal species than ever before. A good deed about night visits is that there are little disturbances from hunters so some animals are seen during the night than during the day. So you may not spot them in the day and spot them in the night.
On the other 24 hours, make sure you view the other magnificent and iconic images of Tarangire. I was your tour guide; I would advise you to start your day with the beautiful birds which are very abundant during the morning. As I said earlier, Tarangire is merely a National Park with the highest count of bird species. About one-third of Tanzania’s bird population resides in the Tarangire. This only makes it the best destination for birders who need to learn more about both migratory and resident bird species. Tarangire always convert mammal watchers into bird-watchers, possibly due to the availability of beautiful colorful birds. Therefore, you don’t have to worry. What you have to do in order to enjoy birding at Tarangire in your limited 48 hours stay is; you should target the best time to visit the park for birding activities which is from November to April. At this time, most of the bird species are breeding making them settle in the same area thus leading to little migrations. There is a lot of species that Eurasian and North African migratory species nest during the wet season and becomes semi-resident in the Tarangire. So it is simple to spot most birds with their breeding plumage at this time. Most birds hibernate at around 11.00 a.m. Other travel to other parts for searching food. So the best time for viewing them is in the morning thus 48 hrs of Tarangire National Park.
During the day you will also be doing activities like game drive which rewards you more by letting you view the wild animals. A morning game drive rewards compared with afternoon and night times. In the morning, birds are available at their nests before flying to other places for food-seeking, this can allow you to observe them closely at their community families before they disappear out there to search for food. They are also active. A driver will have to drive the car very slowly to give you enough time to stare at the beautifulness of birds.
Camping is a superb idea for your 48 hours stay at Tarangire. Both low-cost tented camps and luxurious modern camps are available at this park. These places are perfect for celebrating important events like weddings and birthday parties. You will enjoy your spouse’s birthday in the African wilderness. You will have to reach the park one day before the event and tell the tour organizers to prepare the stage. Tarangire camps are also perfect for honeymooners. A couple may never forget that experience they obtained from the African wilderness thus 48 hrs of Tarangire National Park.
As human beings, we have five sense organs which we use to enjoy exploring the mother of the earth. After exploring it we have a mouth to narrate a story about it, or a pen to write on a diary or a keyboard to type something and store it. Whatever the case, but I know having that first-hand experience of viewing, touching, smelling, tasting, and hearing nature are more rewarding than hearing from a story or reading a script. My point is that you should plan a visit to Tanzania. It will be one of your wonderful trips in this world. This is because you will not only enjoy the scenes of Tarangire National Park but also the scenes the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar beaches.
