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It is the vast number of baobabs that first capture
the eye as you enter Tarangire National Park. The gently rolling
countryside is dotted with these majestic trees, which seem to dwarf
the animals that feed beneath them.
Location
It is 120 km from Arusha, bordered with
Tarangire Wildlife conservation area to the northeast, an area set
apart by the government, to cater for the needs of the local people
as a grazing ground for their herds.
Geography
The park owes its name to Tarangire River, which
flows across the area. It is characterized by dense vegetation of
acacia and mixed woodland, the area around Tarangire River however,
is dominated by huge baobab trees and old doum palm trees to a lesser
prominence, as well as black cotton grass. Though it is not as famous
as other parks in the north, Tarangire offers the same attractions
as other parks in the north. Its unique aspect is the annual animal
immigration that takes place during the dry season.
Animal Migration
While Serengeti's animal migration has attained
mundane fame, for many tourists, little is known of Tarangire annual
migration. The difference with Serengeti however is that, in Serengeti
animals migrate away from the park during the dry season (June to
October), the opposite happens in Tarangire; animals migrate from
Maasai Steppe to the park during the dry season. They migrate to
the park in search for water, which is provided by Tarangire River,
and predators migrate along in search for preys. During this period
the park has the largest concentration of animals than in any park
in the northern Tanzania.
Wildlife
June to October is the best time to see large number
of wildebeest, elephants, zebras, and hartebeest. Not all animals
are migratory though, other animals such as giraffes, Impala, Eland,
lesser kudu, waterbuck, gazelle and sometimes rhinos or leopards
can be seen throughout the year. More people are attracted by the
giant pythons and large herds of elephants. the park is also famous
for migrant birds.
Lodges in the Tarangire National Park
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