Elephants in Tarangire National Park

Elephants in Tarangire National Park: Elephants are among the wildlife species which can be seen in big numbers in Tarangire national park which is located in the northern part of Tanzania.

Tarangire national park is part of the northern tourist circuit which is also made up of other wildlife viewing destinations such as Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area and Lake Manyara national park.

The largest elephant population in Tanzania and the second largest in Africa can be seen in Tarangire national park especially around the Tarangire river during the dry season in June to October when they can be seen digging around the river bed.

During the different seasons which occur in the national park despite the movements of the wildlife species to different parts of the national park, elephants can easily be spotted due to their big numbers in Tarangire national park.

Some of the known traits of the elephants include that their herds are led by the oldest female who leads the way for the rest of the elephants. They are also known for their defined social structure.

The male elephants usually can be seen around the national park moving on their own while the younger male ones leave their herds. This character among these wildlife species helps them to adapt in Tarangire national park.

Tarangire national park consists of savannah plains, woodlands as well as swamps which are located in the eastern and southern parts of the national park. These swamps act as an alternative source of water for the wildlife species in the national park such as buffalos, elephants, antelopes and many others.

Park entry is a requirement which tourists interested in seeing the elephants and other attractions in the national park are expected to pay. This fee is 53 USD for nonresidents and other categories of tourists visiting Tarangire national park include foreign residents and East Africans.

Other attractions apart from elephants which tourists can see in Tarangire national park include the following;

Baobab trees

The baobab trees are among the attractions which tourists can see as they drive around Tarangire national park. These trees are also referred to as the tree of life and are known for being a water source since they store water in their roots.

These trees are also very old making them a unique attraction in Tarangire national park and they are also associated with certain myths and beliefs such as the myth which says that the baobab trees used to move around the national park a very long time ago until their movements angered God and their roots were planted in one place.

Baobab trees also play an important role in the ecosystem of the national park and they act as a source of food for the wildlife species which eat the seeds of the tree. Elephants also sharpen their trunks on these trees.

Wildlife species

Apart from the large herds of elephants which can be seen in Tarangire national park, tourists can also enjoy seeing other wildlife species such as cheetahs, lions, zebras, leopards, antelopes, fringe eared oryx, greater kudu, giraffes, wildebeests, gazelles, hartebeests, dik dik among others.

These wildlife species can be seen during the various wildlife viewing activities which are carried out by the tourists as they explore Tarangire national park.

Bird species

Numerous bird species can also be seen in Tarangire national park during the different activities which take place at the destination. These bird species include native or local as well as migrant birds.

This national park is also considered a birding paradise in Tanzania since it has the highest number of birds in the country which can be seen by tourists as they explore Tarangire national park.

The different birding locations in Tarangire national park include the woodlands, the hills and the swampy floodplains. Bird species which can be seen by tourists visiting the destination include ashy starlings, hornbills, yellow necked spur fowl, crested francolin, yellow collared lovebirds, lilac breasted rollers, striped swallows, kori bustards, plovers, hammerkops, bee eaters, eagles, vultures and many others.

Activities in Tarangire national park

Different activities are offered for tourists visiting Tarangire national park and they include the following;

Game drives

The large population of elephant species can be seen by tourists visiting Tarangire national park as they engage in game drives which take place at different times of day such as in the morning, in the afternoon, in the night and for a full day.

During morning game drives, the wildlife species such as elephants, kudu, dik dik, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, impalas among others are very active making them easy to see as the tourists explore the national park.

Other game drives such as the afternoon and evening game drives give the tourists an amazing experience as they drive around the savannah plains in search of the different wildlife species as they move around the national park. The wildlife species are a little difficult to see during the afternoon since they seek shelter at this time of day from the afternoon heat.

Nocturnal wildlife species such as predators like lions, leopards, caracals, cheetahs, civets and many others can be seen by tourists as they explore the national park in the dark in the company of a ranger guide during the night game drives.

For full day game drives, tourists experience the wilderness as they drive around Tarangire national park the whole day in search of wildlife species. The chances of seeing various wildlife species in the national park is increased during this form of game drive.

Nature walks

Nature walks are wildlife viewing experiences which take place in Tarangire national park on foot. During this activity, tourists move around the national park following different routes in the company of their ranger guide as they enjoy a close encounter with their natural surroundings.

The tourists can also get a close view of the wildlife species such as giraffes, elephants, zebras, kudu, dik dik, elands, wildebeests, hartebeests and many others as they move around the savannah plains.

Community visits

Community visits involve tourists interacting with the local community in the neighboring villages as they get to know more about their way of life, culture and traditions, way of dressing, traditional ceremonies and so much more.

The tourists also visit the traditional homesteads of the Maasai known as “manyattas “during their community visits, watching traditional performances of the Maasai warriors, listening to traditional songs and stories as well as seeing local art and crafts such as the beaded necklaces, earrings, anklets, sandals and belts made by the Maasai.

Bird watching

Tourists can also engage in bird watching during their safaris in Tarangire national park. Different bird species can be seen around the birding locations in the national park such as the woodlands, swampy floodplains as well as in the hills.

The birds which can be seen in Tarangire national park include the ashy starlings, rufous tailed weavers, yellow collared lovebirds, striped swallows, vultures, eagles, hornbills, plovers, hammerkops, bee eaters among others.

Bird watching is best done during the wet season in November to March when the migrant bird species can also be seen in the national park.

How to get to Tarangire national park

To be able to see the large herds of elephants in Tarangire national park, tourists can use different means of transport which include the following;

Road means of transport can also be used to reach the national park by driving from Arusha to the park gates.
Air means of transport are organized by different airline companies which offer charter and scheduled flights to the airstrips in Tarangire national park.

Visit Tarangire national park for an experience of seeing large herds of elephants as well as many other attractions with Focus East Africa tours.