Tarangire National park
Tarangire national park is one of the best national park in Tanzania situated in the Manyara region of Tanzania, this magnificent park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometers which is a significant conservation area and home for a variety of bio-diversity. Tarangire national park derives its name from Tarangire River which cross the national park and a great spot with high concentration of wildlife in the park as they crowd the banks of the river to drink water.
Tarangire national park consists of a thrilling landscape which is dominated by woodlands, baobab, seasonal swamps and acacia trees. The park is geographically located 118 kilometers south of Arusha town and it is very accessible.
ATTRACTIONS IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife
Mammals
Tarangire national park is one of the most thriving habitat for wildlife with the largest concentration of wildlife outside Serengeti ecosystem, Tarangire national park is a home to most iconic animals in Tanzania with 3 species endemic to the park that is fringe-eared Oryx, greater kadu and tiny Ashy starling. Tarangire national park is popular for hosting Tanzania largest population elephants exceeding 300 individuals, these elephants are seen in large herds in the dry bed of Tarangire River digging it in search for water streams. Other animals in Tarangire national lark include wildebeests, antelopes, dwarf mongoose, gazelles, zebras, giraffe, buffalo, elands, hartebeests, impalas. Most these animals migrate from the neighboring protected areas to the park.
Birds
Tarangire national park is a great Paradise for numerous birds estimated to be over 550 bird species, this park is dominated by swamps and woodlands which are habitants for the highest population of birds in Tanzania. Bird species in Tarangire national park include hoopoes, white bellied, helmeted guinea fowl, yellow necked spurfowl, African grey flycatcher, Ashy starling, Bare-faced go-away bird, Donaldson-Smith’s nightjar, Great white pelican, Mouse-coloured penduline tit, Northern pied babbler, Northern white-crowned shrike, Ostrich, Pink-breasted lark, Rufous-tailed weaver, Slate-coloured boubou, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Vulturine Guinea fowl, Yellow-collared lovebird, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Greater Flamingo, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Collared-Dove, Kori Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-browed Coucal, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Nyanza Swift, Little Swift, White-rumped Swift, African Swamp hen and many more
Wildebeest migration
There is nothing interesting and amazing to watch in Tarangire than herds of wildebeests running in one direction with a ground breaking noise, Tarangire national park experiences the migration of wildebeests in the period between June and November every years. Wildebeest migrate to the lands of Tarangire in search for water, most protected area around Tarangire national park dry up
Swamps
Tarangire is primarily dominated by a network swamps, these swamps are water sources in the park and habitants for most of the wildlife in the park thus being the perfect spot for wildlife viewing. Swamps in Tarangire park majorly dominate both the eastern and southern regions of the park, these swamps are habitants for a big population of birds and animals like elephants, silale swamp lions, tree climbing pythons, rare African wild dogs, Cape buffalo and many more.
Baobab trees
Tarangire is also dominated by the beautiful historical baobab trees also known as the tree of life, these tree are noticeably one of the living trees on earth living up to 600 years and these trees are also attractions in their own way in the park because of their district shape. The district shape of these trees is created by the fact that they store a lot of water approximately 300 – 1000 liters in their bloated trunk and other parts. Many animals in Tarangire are seen in Baobab trees as the trees are eaten as food by the animals and its barks of the trees are used by elephants to sharpen their tusks.
Baobab trees have a beautiful legendary tale which them more interesting and entertaining to encounter in the park, according to the tales these trees were moving creatures which roamed around the land of Africa using their roots until when their movement was stopped by the created God. Because God was angered by the movements of baobab trees he decided to plant them in one place upside down so that they can’t move since the roots they would have used are up in the sky.
Kolo rocks art site
Kolo rocks art site is a spectacular ancient site situated just outside Tarangire Kolo rock art site is a proposed world heritage site purposely for displaying ancient rocks to the public and visitors of Kenya, ancient rocks displayed in this site are rock artifacts left behind by the ancient hunter gatherers and the prehistoric rock shelters. Visiting this site is one way of experienced the ancient life of the early inhabitants of Tanzania.
THINGS TO DO IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Game drive
Game drive in Tarangire national park is one splendid retreat of adventure through the scenic plains of the park, Tarangire national park is a habitant to a number of animals which are easily spotted through the roof and widows of your vehicle various sessions of game drive are offered in the park and that is morning game drive, full day game drive, afternoon game drive and night game drive which can easily be organized for you by https://www.focuseastafricatours.com/.
While on a game drive you spot a variety of animals grazing and wandering through the park, animals such as herds of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, lions, leopards, herds of elephants, greater kadu, dik-dik, hartebeests and many more are easily encountered at the dry river bed and other regions of the park. Tarangire national park’s wildlife four of the 5 five and experiences the great migration of wildebeest in the period of June and November each year which is an impressive and entertaining sight to see and keep the memory through beautiful pictures.
Bird watching
Tarangire national park is a bird haven for bird enthusiastic tourists, bird watching in the park is greatly enjoyable as the park is a habitant to over 550 bird species which are seen while on a game drive or natural walk in the park. Bird species spotted in Tarangire national park include hoopoes, white bellied, helmeted guinea fowl, yellow necked spurfowl, African grey flycatcher, Ashy starling, Bare-faced go-away bird, Donaldson-Smith’s nightjar, Great white pelican, Mouse-coloured penduline tit, Northern pied babbler, Northern white-crowned shrike, Ostrich, Pink-breasted lark, Rufous-tailed weaver, Slate-coloured boubou, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Vulturine Guinea fowl, Yellow-collared lovebird and many more .These birds are easily spotted in areas like swamps situated in eastern and southern regions of the park, woodlands, acacia and baobab trees.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks in Tarangire takes you on a walk by foot in the plains of tar4angire national park, on this walk you encounter and witness the various attractions such as numerous animals, the beautiful forests galleries and vegetation. Guided nature walks in the park take 1-2 hours
Visiting Kolo rock art site
Kolo rock art site is a very spectacular ancient site located just outside of Tarangire , visiting this rock site offers a chance to witness the ancient life of hunter gatherers through the rocks.Cultural visits
Cultural visits in Tarangire take place in the Masai communities which are situated just outside Tarangire , on your visit in this community you are welcomed by masai dance performances accompanied by melodic local songs. You also witness a variety of unique activities aspects of the Masai people for example their unique way of dressing, house built using local materials, and participate in grazing of the cattle also interact with the elders. Masai people are typical nomadic pastoralists, also many beautiful hand-made art crafts are sold as souvenirs.
Best time to visit Tarangire national park for a safari
Tarangire national park is a wonderful tourist destination open to visitors for every day of the year for amazing activities like game drive, bird watching. The best time to visit Tarangire national park is in the period of august to October, in this period the park consists of a high concentration of wildlife and the park is relatively dry. For tourists aiming at watching the migration of wildebeests the best time to visit Tarangire is in the period of June to December.
