Tarangire National Park: What tempts visitors to Tarangire on their first day are the huge numbers of baobabs. These majestic trees dot most parts of the park thus providing incredible habitats to different wild animals in the park. Bordered by Tarangire Wildlife Conservation to the Northeast, the park is about 120km from Arusha town. The conservation area was set apart by the government to act as a grazing ground for the local people in this region.
More details about the parkIt was named after Tarangire River which flows across the area and distinguishes itself with dense vegetation of mixed woodland and acacia. Most parts around the river are dominated by old doum palm trees, black cotton grass and baobab trees.
It isn’t more known to tourists, but this park has a lot to relish like other parks in the northern part of the country. Aside from Serengeti, Tarangire is a good alternative for sights of the great wildebeest migration. If you can’t make it to Serengeti for Wildebeests don’t hesitate to try Tarangire National Park. The only difference is that for Tarangire, animals migrate from Maasai steppe to this park in the dry season whilst for Serengeti animals migrate away from the park usually in the dry season (June to October). A plethora of animals usually moves to Tarangire for water provided by Tarangire River and predators as well search for preys.
During this period of time, Tarangire has the largest concentration of animals in northern Tanzania. Therefore, it is easy to understand why thousands of tourists (wildlife lovers) visit the park from June to October. Other than the migratory animals like wildebeests, Tarangire is a hub of wild animals. The list includes elephants, zebras, hartebeests, giraffes, impala, eland, water-buck, gazelle, leopards, lesser kudu to name but a few. Tarangire is also famous for the migrant bird species.
What to do in the Park.Visit the Maasai People The quaint Maasai village surrounds Tarangire Naional Park. If culture is your thing, make sure to reserve sometime and visit these people before you leave the Park. This tour gives tourists a chance to learn about the unique cultures of the Masai. See their dressing styles, way of dancing, get to know about their origins and you can also buy their locally made goods as souvenirs.
Tarangire National Park is a must for game viewing. It tempts tourists with views of giraffes, cape buffalo, zebra, warthogs, blue monkeys, flamingo, elephants, lions, black and white colobus monkeys to name but a few. Apart from wild animals, the birdlife in the forests of the park is amazing. You will see some of the hundred bird species recorded in the Park. Common species in the Tarangire include hornbills, helmeted guinea fowl and more.
Tarangire provides a good environment for evening or morning nature walks. It offers different trials that can lead you to numerous areas in the park for off the beaten path spots. During nature walks tourists are assigned an armed ranger guide who is more informed of where to pass and the best areas to see Wild animals. The guide gives detailed information and protects the group of visitors from aggressive animals.
BirdingRuaha is a magnet for bird watching. It provides a home to both the residential and migratory bird species. The best time to have incredible birding encounters in this park is during the rainy season. Some of the common species to see are brown parrots, hornbills, yellow collared love birds, helmeted guinea fowl, Bee-eater harmer cops and more.