Location of Tarangire National Park

Location of Tarangire National Park: Tarangire national park is a wildlife viewing destination which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. The national park derives its name from Tarangire river which flows through the national park and is a major attraction which provides water for the different wildlife species in the national park.

Large herds of elephants are known to be seen by tourists as they explore Tarangire national park during the different activities at the destination. The location of this national park close to Arusha makes it convenient for tourists to visit the destination to engage in various wildlife viewing activities.

Tarangire national park is also part of the northern tourist circuit which consists of other wildlife viewing destinations which are popular among tourists such as Serengeti national park, Lake Manyara national park and Ngorongoro conservation area.

There are some fees which tourists visiting Tarangire national park are expected to pay and they include the park entrance fees and concession fees. Park entrance fees are payments made by tourists to be allowed to enter into the national park

These entrance fees for nonresidents visiting Tarangire national park is 53 USD which varies for adults and children visiting the national park as well as for foreign residents and East Africans visiting the national park.

The fees paid for tourists to access the national park is valid for one entry and lasts for 24 hours during which tourists can explore the different attractions in Tarangire national park and engage in various wildlife viewing activities.

How to get to Tarangire national park

There are different ways through which tourists can access Tarangire national park and explore its attractions and they include the following;

By air or flight, different airline companies organize scheduled as well as charter flights to Tarangire airstrip which is located in the national park.
By road means of transport, tourists can begin their safaris from Arusha and then proceed to the park entrance of Tarangire national park.

Attractions in Tarangire national park

There are different attractions which tourists can see during their safaris at this location and they include the following;

Tarangire river

Tarangire river is a major attraction and water source for wildlife species which can be seen by tourists during their safaris in this national park. This river acts as a water point where different wildlife species gather during the dry season to drink.

Wildlife species

Being an all year round wildlife viewing destination, there are various wildlife species which can be seen throughout the course of the year during safaris to this national park and they include elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, hartebeests, warthogs, hyenas, dik dik, elands, impalas, lions, leopards and many others.

Bird species

A variety of bird species can also be seen during a safari in Tarangire national park and they include ostriches, striped swallows, rufous tailed weavers, hammerkops, vultures, eagles, yellow collared lovebirds, kori bustard and many others.

Maasai people

The Maasai people who have a unique culture and way of life can also be seen by tourists during their safaris to Tarangire national park. The Maasai live in the neighboring areas of the national park and tourists interact with them and get to know their culture, traditions, norms and nomadic way of life during their visits to the Maasai villages.

Baobab trees

Baobab trees can also be seen during a safari to Tarangire national park. These trees stand out from the open savannah plains and woodlands in the national park and are also known to contribute to the eco system of the national park.

These trees are source of water for the wildlife species such as elephants which also seek shelter from these trees and also sharpen their tusks on the baobab trees. The pastoralists also get herbs from the trees and use them as medicine.

Activities in Tarangire national park

There are various activities which take place in Tarangire national park and they include the following;

Game drives

Game drives are among the popular ways through which tourists explore Tarangire national park during their wildlife viewing experiences. This activity is organized in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, in the night and can also take place for a full day.

Tourists get varied experiences during their game drives in Tarangire national park. During the morning the wildlife species are very active and can be seen as they graze and move around the savannah plains making them easy to see as compared to game viewing in the afternoon when the wildlife species are sometimes hidden in the national park.

To enjoy seeing nocturnal wildlife species such as predators like lions, leopards, hyenas as well as civets, caracals among others, tourists engage in night game drives which involve exploring the national park in the dark. Tourists are accompanied by ranger guides during their night game drives in Tarangire national park and the rangers help to spot the wildlife species in the different locations in the wilderness.

Nature walks

Nature walks in Tarangire national park are a unique wildlife viewing experience which tourists participate in as they follow different routes or tracks in the national park on foot in search of various attractions around the national park.

Wildlife species can also be spotted during nature walks in Tarangire national park which give the tourists a close encounter with their natural surroundings. Ranger guides also take part in this activity and they help to keep the tourists safe as they explore the wilderness of the national park and also provide information about the different attractions which can be seen around the national park.

Community visits

This activity involves interactions between the local community and the tourists. During community visits, tourists get to know the way of life of the Maasai people and also engage in activities such as visiting the traditional homesteads of the Maasai known as “manyattas” which are built using local materials like dung.

Other activities which are carried out during community visits include visiting the local market where tourists interact with the vendors and also see local arts and craft shops as well as food stuffs displayed in the stalls. The local art and crafts of the Maasai include beaded jewelry like necklaces, earrings, anklets, sandals and belts.

Traditional dance performances of the Maasai are also among the highlights of the visits to the Maasai villages and tourists can also join in and dance with the Maasai warriors as they chant their cultural songs and jump around.

Bird watching

Many bird species can be seen during bird watching activities which are best done in the wet season in Tarangire national park around the different birding locations such as the swampy floodplains.

Visit Tarangire national park and experience the beauty of the different attractions at the destination.