Tarangire National Park.

Located 118 km (75 miles) southwest of Arusha, Tarangire is the sixth largest park in Tanzania. Tarangire National Park in all its 2,600 sq km (1,005 sq miles) glory brags of the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem. Tarangire is gorgeous and unspoilt. All predators including King Lion can be found at this park. The Tarangire River is another permanent feature of these vast grasslands and is always choking with wildlife. During the dry season when the fierce sun blazes over the undulating plains, River Tarangire shrinks but does not dry up and disappoint the herds of herbivores that depend on it. Thirsting Elephants, Wildebeest, Zebra, Buffalo, Impala, Gazelle, Hartebeest and Eland know that this river has been forever faithful. They all converge at the fragile lagoons including the rare Fringe-eared Oryx and long-necked Gerenuk. Thus the park is quite stunning during the dry season when majority of the migratory wildlife species come back to the permanent waters of Tarangire River.

At the onset of the rains the animals migrate again towards Lake Manyara and further north usually to good grazing areas especially during April and May, when there is extensive vegetation and pools of standing waters to encourage all the grazers further a field. Around June, the Eland and Oryxes start to go back to Tarangire, followed by elephants. Zebra and Wildebeest make their way back collectively throughout July.

In Tarangire, the Pythons slowly wind their way up the trees and lie around just like Leopards and Lions do. The all year green swamps at this wilderness are the focal point for 350 bird species. Other birds available are the Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Shrikes, Flycatchers, Sunbirds, Paradise Whyder, Yellow-collared lovebirds, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Kori bustard, Ashy Starling, Hornbills, Ostrich, various Stork species comprising of White, Abdims, Saddle bill, Open bill, Marabou, and Yellow billed. A variety of kingfisher species like Giant, Pied, malachite, pygmy, striped, grey headed are found in Tarangire. Bee-eaters like European, white-throated, little and Rollers like European, Lilac breasted, Rufous-crowned, Broad-billed are found there too.

When one drives into Tarangire, it’s the baobab trees that first capture ones attention. The gigantic trees appear like they are upside down with their roots in the air. Abandonned termite mounds are also visible, dwarfing the Boabab and Acacia trees while still being giants in their own right. The termite mounds are patronized by colonies of mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet. Breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south make a stop at Tarangire a memorable experience. Day trips are also offered to Maasai and Barabaig villages if you fancy cultural tourism, as well as to the hundreds of ancient rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo on the Dodoma Road.

Tarangire is a simple drive from Arusha or Lake Manyara and is open and accessible all Year round but the dry season (June - September) is recommended because of the large numbers of animals. Thre are Charter flights available from Arusha and the Serengeti.

Guided walking safaris are also offered here.

There is affordable accommodation available at Tarangire National Park, which is named after Tarangire River. Some renowned lodges in the region are the Tarangire Treetops Lodge and Tarangire Sopa Lodge.