Tarangire National Park

Tarangire for Walking Safaris and Night Drives

A wildlife photographer’s paradise, Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park is often overlooked in favor of the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, making it feel like the park is your private reserve. Only 75 miles from Arusha, our first itinerary stop became a favorite during our 3-night stay at Oliver’s Camp with Natural Habitat, true glamping.
It was the only park where we could do a walking safari and night drive, both exciting adventures I recommend. Our guides were knowledgeable, safety-minded and great spotters. It is also the park to see the magnificent Baobab tree. Back in the Jeep, elephant families, lions with cubs, wildebeest, giraffe, warthogs, cape buffalo, mongoose and herds of zebra made every turn in the road a new photo op. Larger birds like ostrich, vultures, hornbills, Secretary bird and the Kori bustard as well as the smaller multi-colored Lilac breasted roller, African hoopoe or iridescent superb starling kept my camera busy. A greener park in late August than most, Tarangire’s river supplies water to numerous animals and birds. Hang out on the parallel road and you will be rewarded.

Amazing, we seen a lion's hunting ad a very big lion's family

Planet of the Elephants

My fiancé and I are in our 30's from New York City and recently took a two week tour to Kenya and Tanzania. What an incredible life experience that everyone must absolutely do in their lifetime - and better sooner rather than later. You will feel like you're living in a National Geographic video. Just make sure you go the right time of year. Children will absolutely love it - just make sure they're old enough to remember it. In Kenya we went to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and the highlight, the incredible Maasai Mara to witness the great migration. In Tanzania we went to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Tarangire was our first stop in Tanzania after Kenya and our first reaction was "whoa, there are a lot of elephants here. And they are BIG" - they owned the place. We saw baby and adolescent elephants play fighting which was a highlight. Plenty of other animals as well - we saw lions, leopards lazing about in the trees, several bird species, zebras and wildebeest. We really enjoyed our time in Tarangire and highly encourage you to visit.

Must visit if you're looking for Elephant encounter

This was the first park of our Safari Itinerary. The weather was perfect for this trip - cloudy overcast with some occasional sprinkles, but due to heavy rains prior few days some of the roads in the park were closed, so we didn't get a chance to visit all planned areas, but those that we have visited were amazing. I was expecting a little bit less folks/tourists there, but this is subjective. We've got to see giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, ostriches. But the most memorable encounter was with the herd of elephants, counting about 20. They crossed dirt road we were on and you can see all of them from few feet distance - amazing.

Elephants and baobabs galore - there was something to see every minute we were out on the road.

Wildlife - to see herds and herds of elephants - and a mix of sizes within each herd - is truly magnificent. Tarangire is the place to see elephants, especially after calving season. We went in December and had two game drives - one in the late afternoon and one in the early morning. The early morning one was better as the elephants were all seeking shade in the afternoon sun and so did not venture near the roads. (Cars are not allowed to leave the roads). There were many highlights but one was something you don't even think of looking for: two dung beetles rolling their ball of dung. Another was a dancing crane. Maybe it wasn't dancing but it was moving so gracefully and elegantly it was like a dance.
Parts of the park were flooded after the heavy rains of November and early December but the accessible areas were very varied in terrain and scenery. It is not a very big park and you can see parts that will already feel familiar on your second drive.
We stayed at the Tarangire Lodge within the National Park - it is a simple but beautiful lodge with a huge outdoor seating area overlooking the river. It is on a hill and so you can see for miles around. Come equipped with binoculars of course. Good food even for vegetarians. This lodge is not as big as some so there was a cosy feeling in the dining room.
Our trip had been organised through Shah Tours in Moshi as we did a package for Kilimanjaro, Tarangire and Ngorongoro. The safari car was quite good with the open roof but these seem to be standard with most companies that provide such game drives. The guide could have been better but again there are so many local national park guides that are well informed. The drive from Moshi via Arusha to Tarangire was remarkable too - you see so many Masai dressed in the most colourful cloth and little children splashing about in the water.

Much wild animals and bushes are available as shades for animals and creation of attractive environment

A very recommendable park with a great variety of animals and landscapes. With its river at the heart of the park it offers also a very scenic landscape. We didn't regret it at all visiting this beautiful park.

Great Introduction to Wildlife in Tanzania

Tarangire was our first Safari of the week and was a great introduction of things to come. Visting at the end of May and just after the wet season the grass was long and lush so a little difficult to see the smaller animals. We almost immediately came across a family of baboons who were very active and climbing up and down "their" tree. Later we saw our first elephants but from a distance which was still great to see. Further on we met a lone elephant who got very close to our vehicle but was not aggressive in any way. We didn't see any big cats on this day visit but plenty of bird life to include superb starlins, hornbill, hammerkopf and love birds. Also plentiful were the majestic giraffe. Views from the small picnic site were beautiful overlooking the river, where we later saw a family of elephants drinking

Wide open views, diverse habitats and wonderful accommodations as well as close proximity to the international airport make Tarangire easily accessible without air travel. We stayed at Treetops and enjoyed fine food and beverage, friendly staff and wonderful bird watching from our door. Trips into the park provided a wide range of plants and animals including close encounters with many of the expected mammalian and avian species. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

Paradise of the elephants

Facilement accessible par une très bonne route depuis Arusha,le parc national du Tarangire est surtout intéressant pour ses éléphants en matière de faune. Mais c’est bien ses paysages qui m’ont le plus touché. Notamment la rivière Tarangire presque a sec au mois d’aout laissant un sillage impressionnant au sol dominé par ses immenses berges .Il faut prendre la peine même si la piste n’ai pas toujours facile de descendre jusqu’au Silale au sud du parc immense marécage ou les éléphants se distinguent à peine dans les hautes herbes.