Best Tarangire Safari tours

Tarangire is one of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, with a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. In the Dry season, between June and October, large herds of animals are attracted to the Tarangire River. At this time, the elephant numbers are spectacular and the park should be part of any safari in northern Tanzania.

Location Of Tarangire National Park

Slightly off the popular northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, the park lies between the meadows of Masai Steppe to the south east and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. Within the northern part of Tarangire is the permanent River Tarangire also known as the life-line of the park particularly in the dry season when most of the region is totally dry. This flows northwards until it exits the park in the northwestern corner to pour into Lake Burungi. There are a number of wide swamps which dry into green plains during the dry season in the south.

During your Safari in Tarangire, You are highly recommended to stay for a couple of days especially in the south of the park which offers a less crowded safari experience and gives you the opportunity to enjoy an authentic African feel of the Tanzania’s countryside.

When to Visit Tarangire National Park

The middle and the end of the dry season that runs from late June to October is the best time to view wild life in Tarangire National Park. Most of the animals move out of the park during the wet season and viewing animals is at that time less rewarding.

In June to October (the dry season), the animals gather around the Tarangire River and this is the best time to go to Tarangire National Park. There is little rainfall during this time of the year hence making it the time with the best weather for game viewing.

June to October still marks the high / peak tourist season with so many tourists filling the park. on the other hand, the low tourist season comes in March, April and May when the park is experiencing the wet season characterized y heavy rains, hence the worst weather.

In Summary, Tarangire National Park experiences two main seasons which are: the wet and dry seasons as highlighted below

Getting to Tarangire National Park

The park is part of the popular northern safari circuit and is typically visited together with Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Most safaris start from the town of Arusha.

The best option to get there is to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is situated 46km/29mi from Arusha. It is also possible to fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) near Dar es Salaam and book a domestic flight to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

There are regular flights from Arusha and the Serengeti to Tarangire, but it is a comfortable two-hour drive from Arusha to the entrance gate, of which only the last 7km is not tarred. Moving on, it is an easy drive to Lake Manyara (100km/60mi in about two hours) or the Ngorongoro Crater (180km/110mi in about four hours).

Activities on your Tarangire Safari

118km (73 miles) SW of Arusha, 90km (56 miles) E of Lake Manyara, 150km (93 miles) SE of Ngorongoro Crater

While the focus for most travelers on a Northern Circuit safari is the Serengeti, many come away claiming that Tarangire was, in fact, the highlight of their trip.

Named after the life-giving river that flows its length, the 2,642-sq.-km (1,030-sq.-mile) Tarangire National Park is Tanzania’s fifth-largest park — though if you include the unfenced game-controlled areas that border it, the larger ecosystem is closer to 35,000 sq. km (13,650 sq. miles) — enough to host some migratory movement of herds.

Sometimes referred to as a “mini Serengeti,” Tarangire also shares some topographical similarities with its big brother, the most arresting being the short-grass plains you find mostly in the north, their expanses broken only by the shapely “umbrella” acacia tree — a picture-perfect backdrop for game viewing. A striking contrast to these golden plains, and not found in the Serengeti, are Tarangire’s lush green swamps — Gursi, Larmakua, Nguselorobi, and Silale — where elephants stand thigh-high in juicy grasses that act as a magnet for herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra, with predators usually in close attendance. The farther south you travel, the landscape becomes more densely vegetated and game sightings drop accordingly, though there are areas of open savannah, and the tracks are mercifully free of day-trippers.

Where to Stay in Tarangire National Park?

For your Tarangire park holiday accommodation, there is a selection of safari lodges and tented camps found within the park itself as well as in the areas surrounding it. With a listing of these options of accommodation, plus a handy map, enjoy a great deal of low prices for your comfortable stay while here. The accommodation facilities available range from budget, mid-range to luxury lodges and luxury tented camps so irrespective of your budget, you will surely get a place to stay There are large lodges that are located in obviously prime positions with wonderful views of the park. Taking an example of

Tarangire Safari Lodge

……it is located up on a cliff and overlooks the mighty Tarangire River offering uninterrupted views of wildlife around the river banks especially in season. It is very near within a distance of about 10 kilometers inside the park gate and it comprises of thatched bungalows or closely spaced tents can make you an ideal accommodation.

Luxury accommodation in Tarangire National Park

The park offers in number of beautiful luxury options perfect for holidaymakers interested in enjoying some safari luxury, great comfort and the chance of camping. below are some of the top luxury facilities in tangerine.

Tarangire treetops

This is the most well-known luxury facility in the whole of Tarangire National Park and it is located within a private reserve that borders this national park as well as the neighboring maasai stepped. This facility offers some of the largest safari rooms you will find in the country constructed around giant baobab trees that offer views of Lake Manyara, the rift valley wall as well as Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

Nimali Tarangire

This permanent tented Lodge is located along the northern border of the Tarangire National Park within a private reserve and offers holidaymakers a non-restricted safari experience that combines comfort and character in plenty. some of the various activities you can enjoy while staying here include walking safaris as well as night game drives that aren’t allowed in other national parks in northern Tanzania.

Maweninga Camp

This is located on top of a high granite rock and overlooks Lake Manyara as well as Lake burunge. On a clear day you can enjoy views of the high Mount Kilimanjaro from here. This amazing facility offers eco-friendly accommodation and each of its tents is constructed on a raised wooden terrace for clear views.

Mid-range Accommodation

They are a member of mid-range facilities in and around Tarangire National Park as highlighted below

Tarangire Safari Lodge

In the whole of Tarangire National Park, this is the oldest permanent Lodge and it is found up on a natural bluff offering guests sweeping views of the surrounding. Its accommodation includes tented rooms as well as bungalows and has an outdoor dining area, a swimming pool as well as a souvenir shop.

Tarangire Sopa Lodge

this is rather and leisure accommodation facility offering over 75 rooms in addition to various amenities like Wi-Fi a swimming pool and the fine restaurant special about it is that it is among the few accommodation facilities found within the boundaries of the National Park, and this also ideal for holidaymakers travelling as families as it accommodate children as well.

Maramboi Tented Camp

This facility offers 38 rooms and is part of the well known Tanganyika wilderness camps like the kati kàti of Serengeti. The rooms are built on a private terrace each with en-suite bathroom facilities and additional amenities like a campfire and a large swimming pool. some of the activities that can enjoy here include game drives in both Tarangire national Park and the neighboring Lake Manyara National Park.

Accommodation Amenities offered in Tarangire National Park

The type of amenities offered at your accommodation will depend on the type of facilities you will be staying at. At the lavish facilities expect amenities like free WiFi, a swimming pool, fully stocked bar, outdoor dining, library and TV: as well as a number of them offering wheelchair accessibility and kid friendly services. In the budget facilities, on the other hand expect basic amenities. In the evenings after your day’s activities, however, you can spend time in the communal area where guests can gather to share stories of their safari day as they enjoy some nice drink and the warm campfires.

Dine either under the stars or in an affectionate dinning tent (but this will depend on the weather). Most camps organize different Tarangire safari activities like game drives, walking safaris and fly camping. You are advised to pre-book especially when you intend to be part of the walking and fly camping. You may incur an extra charge if you are not staying on game package. Inquire if you are not sure about this.

Cost of Accommodation in Tarangire

As earlier mentioned there are different types of facilities available in and around the park and these are offered at different prices as highlighted below. Budget facilities like the Whistling Thorn Tented Camp on average cost about $153 per person in a Single Midrange accommodation like the Tarangire Sopa Lodge cost on average $450 for a deluxe Luxury accommodation like Tarangire Treetops cost ranges from $750 to $1200 per person when sharing.

Tarangire National Park FAQ

What is special about Tarangire?

The Tarangire National Park is known as a wonderful birding destination and also features large numbers of game, particularly during the dry season, when the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the area. The landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of scenic baobab trees.

What animals will I see in Tarangire?

Some of the animals you can look for on safari in Tarangire are:

How many lions are there in Tarangire?

The current total population of lions in this park is about 250. The Tarangire lions can be seen found around the park almost any time of the day. The lions found here are the tree climbing lions most of them can not be seen climbing trees but on a lucky day you can spot a tree climbing lions.

Does Tarangire have lions?

YES! There is an estimate of over 250 lions residing in Tarangire National Park, and with the conservation efforts of the Tarangire Lion Project, the Tarangire National Park lion population is believed to grow steadily.

How big is Tarangire?

Tarangire is the sixth biggest park in Tanzania at 2,850 km². It takes its name – as well as its game wealth – from the Tarangire River which flows through the park, attracting elephants and many other animals.

Is it worth visiting Tarangire National Park?

YES! Unquestionably, the Tarangire National Park is a worthwhile safari park to visit in Africa. The Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro crater, Arusha National park, and Mount Kilimanjaro are just a short distance away from the Tarangire National Park, one of the best safari destinations in all of Africa.

Herds of up to 300 elephant can be found In Tarangire, looking for underground streams in the dry riverbeds, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Abandoned termite mounds often house mongoose colonies. All the main predators are present, but because of thick vegetation, not spotted as often as in some of the other parks in northern Tanzania.

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Best Tarangire Safari tours