Tarangire National Park is in Tanzania.

Understand

Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for wild animals in the Tarangire Ecosystem during the annual dry season. The Tarangire Ecosystem is defined by the long-distance migration of wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season thousands of animals concentrate in Tarangire National Park from the surrounding wet-season dispersal and calving areas.

It covers an area of approximately 2,850 km² (1,100 square miles.)

Landscape

The landscape is composed of granitic ridges, river valley, and swamps.

Flora and fauna

Vegetation is a mix of Acacia woodland, Commiphora-Combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grassland, and Baobab trees.

The park is famous for its density of African bush elephants and baobab trees. Visitors to the park in the June to November dry season can expect to see large herds of thousands of zebra, wildebeest and cape buffalo. Other common resident animals include waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, Common eland, Grant's gazelle, vervet monkey, banded mongoose, and olive baboon. Predators in Tarangire include African lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger, and African wild dog.

The park is home to more than 550 bird species.

The park is also famous for the termite mounds that dot the landscape. Those that have been abandoned are often home to dwarf mongoose.

Get in

Tarangire National Park can be reached via paved road south from Arusha in under two hours. Lake Manyara National Park is a 70-km (43-mile) drive from Tarangire.

Fees and permits

US$35 per person

Sleep

Lodging

• Tarangire Treetops: Tree houses perched high up in the age old Baobab and Marula trees. Astride the path of the Elephant Migration, Tarangire Treetops sits alone in a private game reserve bordering Tarangire National Park and the Maasai Steppe amid rolling, baobab-studded hills with views to Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley wall. Twenty suites, each 65 m² with a private balcony, are furnished with natural materials blended with contemporary Africana décor. Encasing a vast Baobab tree, the dining room, reception and lounge overlooks the swimming pool and a waterhole that sees a constant flow of wild animal visitors. Guests can enjoy guided walking safaris, day- or night-time game drives, and bush dining. info@elewana.com
• Kuro
• Little Oliver's
• Oliver's Camp
• Sanctuary Swala
• Sopa Lodge
• Ndovu Camp
• Tarangire Safari Lodge