Tarangire National Park facts

Tarangire National Park facts: Tarangire national park facts look at the different attractions and activities as well as general information about the national park which is located in the northern part of Tanzania.

These facts about Tarangire national park include the following;

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

Another fact about this national park is that it is named after Tarangire river which flows through the national park which is a major attraction at the destination and is also a source of water for different wildlife species which can be seen in the national park.

Different wildlife species gather around the Tarangire river to drink especially during the dry season from June to October. During these months, wildlife species can be easily seen as they graze and feed in the savannah plains.

Tarangire national park has a beautiful landscape which consists of acacia woodlands, baobab trees, sausage trees, savannah plains as well as numerous swamps which act as alternative sources of water for the wildlife species at the destination.

Baobab trees stand out from the rest of the surroundings in the national park and are known to play an important role in the eco system. These trees benefit both man and wildlife species which depend on the tree for water, shelter as well as medicinal purposes.

Conservation in Tarangire national park is managed by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). This organization is also in charge of managing the national park and also formulating different fees in the national park.

Entrance fees in Tarangire national park are charged according to nonresidents, residents and East Africans. Children and adults visiting the national park also pay different entrance fees which are valid for 24 hours.

Nonresidents pay entrance fees of 53 USD to be allowed to enter into Tarangire national park and engage in different activities and to see the various attractions at the destination.

Tarangire national park is known for its large herds of elephants which can be seen moving around the savannah plains. Also antelope species such as generuks and Oryx are among the unique wildlife species at the destination.

Other wildlife species which can be seen in Tarangire national park during the wildlife viewing activities include giraffes, zebras, warthogs, hyenas, lions, leopards, waterbucks, antelopes, elands, hartebeests, dik-dik, wildebeests and many others.

Different bird species can also be seen during a safari in Tarangire national park in areas such as the hills, the swampy floodplains and in the woodlands. The bird species which can be seen at these locations include ashy starlings, hammerkops, rufous tailed weavers, striped swallows, bee eaters, weavers, ostriches, kori bustard, plovers, eagles, vultures and many others.

The Maasai can also be seen by tourists during community visits in the neighboring villages. During these community visits, the tourists interact with the Maasai people and get to know more about their way of life.

Tourists also engage in various activities during their interactions with the Maasai such as visiting the “manyattas” which are the homesteads of the Maasai, joining on traditional dance performances with the Maasai warriors, visiting the traditional kraals where Maasai keep cattle, sheep and goats.

Visits to the local market are also carried out during interactions with the Maasai and also to the local art and craft shops where traditional beaded necklaces, earrings, anklets, sandals, belts and many artifacts of the Maasai are displayed as tourists enjoy their safari experience in Tarangire national park.

Tarangire national park is also known for the various activities which tourists engage in as they explore the wilderness of the destination such as game drives, nature walks as well as bird watching excursions.

Game drives in Tarangire national park take place at different times of day such as in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening and in the night. Tourists can also enjoy game drives for a full day around the national park.

A variety of wildlife species can be seen during morning game drives since it’s a known fact that wildlife species such as elephants, elands, giraffes, kudu, dik dik among others are very active at this time of day.

During full day game drives, tourists get to experience the wilderness of the national park as they drive around the national park, observe the behaviors of the wildlife species and enjoy the scenery at the national park.

Nocturnal wildlife species can also be seen in Tarangire national park during the night game drives which are organized by some of the lodges in the national park.

Nature walks are also among the activities which are carried out in Tarangire national park giving the tourist as close encounter with nature and different attractions as they explore the national park on foot. This activity is carried out in the company of a ranger guide and involves moving along certain trails or routes in the national park.

Best time to visit Tarangire national park

This national park is an all year round wildlife viewing destination but the best time to visit Tarangire national park for amazing wildlife viewing experiences is during the dry season when the wildlife species gather around water points in the national park to drink making them easy to see.

To enjoy bird watching adventures however, the wet season from November to March is the best time for bird watching since the migrant bird species are present within the national park and the local or native bird species are breeding.

How to get to Tarangire national park

Tarangire national park can be accessed by different means which include road means and air or flight means.

By road, tourists can begin their safaris from Arusha and then proceed to the national park to engage in different activities and to see various attractions.
By air or flight, scheduled and charter flights are available to the airstrip in the national park.

Visit Tarangire national park and get to experience the facts about the different attractions and activities carried out at the destination with Focus East Africa tours.