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Home » African Attractions » Places to visit in Tanzania » Tarangire National Park Tanzania

Tarangire National Park Tanzania

Tarangire National Park Tanzania Stretches up to about 2,850Km, Tarangire is the 6th largest national park in Tanzania.

It is bordered by Lake Manyara to the North West, Arusha and Kilimanjaro national parks to the North East.

It derives its name from the most dominant feature in the park, River Tarangire. The river flows through the park and is the only source of water for both wildlife and vegetation found within the area.

During the dry season, the river is a magnet of wildlife from the Manyara National park in the North West.

Tarangire National park lies in the Manyara conservation area which includes Lake Manyara National Park up to Lake Natron near the border of Tanzania and Kenya.

The conservation area covers a total area of about 20,000Km

Tarangire National Park

Safari Attractions in Tarangire National Park

Wildlife in Tarangire National Park Tanzania

Tarangire National park is popularly known for its mass population of elephants in the Northern circuit of Tanzania.

There is an estimation of over 3,000 elephants living in the area of the park. Other wildlife include primates such as olive baboons, vervet monkeys, bush baby; rare antelope species such as lesser kudu, eland and fringe – eared oryx; predators such as lions, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. It is possible to view large prides of the predators during the dry season.

Birds in Tarangire National Park Tanzania

Tarangire is a prime bird viewing destination for raptors and other species. Also known as powerful airborne predators, Raptors are in abundance and they include tawny eagle, long crested eagle, martial eagle, bateleur eagle, fish eagle and spotted eagle owl.

Other birds in the area include grey headed kingfisher, African skimmer, black-bee eater, falcons, Red-chested sunbird, Swamp Fly catcher and many others.

Tarangire River in Tarangire National Park Tanzania

It is the most distinctive feature in the park, stretching at about 55 miles through te park. The river is the only source of water for both the wildlife and vegetation in the park.

Some of the mammals that frequently visit the river include lions, leopards, buffalos, wildebeests, elephants, Zebras and many others.

It is during the dry season that the wildlife is drawn to the river The areas around the river are covered with swamps, yellow barked fever and baobab trees.

Tarangire National Park

Kitibong Hill in Tarangire National Park

The hill is famously known for hosting a large herd of buffalos and the rare wild dogs.The landscape of the area greatly varies, with acacia in the eastern territory and woodland in the western area.

The area also has swamps at its south and southeast edges. In the south there is the Mamire swamp and Gursi swamp in the southeast.

There are also various pools of water formed due to depressions of wallowing buffalos and elephants which visit the area in the dry season.

Other wildlife found in the area include warthogs, jackal, giraffe, impala Kudu and birds such as ground hornbill and many others.

Burunge Circuit in Tarangire National Park

The area is one of the most magnificent and breathtaking parts of the park, with an adventurous and remote touch of the wilderness.

It is dominated by fascinating candelabra tress species, dense woodland and borassus palms which give it a golden touch of the wilderness.

The area hosts wildlife such as the lesser Kudu, leopard, elephants, Giraffe, Jackal, bushbuck; birds such as palm swifts.

The palm swifts nest in the borassus palm trees which have a tasty edible fruit used to process palm wine. West of the circuit is the woodland which is dominated by ebony trees and has wildlife such as eland, elephants and others.

The antelope species, elands, are cow-like mammals weighing up to 900Kg and are about 2m in height.

Matete Woodland in Tarangire National Park

It is a prime leopard viewing spot, often viewed in the branches of acacia tortillas trees. The area also hosts the rare antelope species known as Oryx, Kudu, elephant, lion, giraffe, bushbuck and many more. The area is characterized by open acacia woodland and tall elephant grass.

Silale Swamp in Tarangire National Park

The swamp acts like a sponge, drying out slowly during the dry season. The swamp is a magnet for huge number of wildlife during the dry season, highly depending on its waters.

The swamp is situated in the southern area of Tarangire National Park. The area around the swamp is covered with a vast sea of grass and hosts wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, crowned cranes and many othrs.

Lemiyon Triangle

It lies at the north edge of the park forming a triangular shaped zone. The area is found north of the park near the Kwacuhinja village.

The area is bordered by Burungi circuit to the west and Matete to the east. The area has a number of birds, but among those often seen is the prey bateleur eagle.

Some of the wildlife present in the area include the Giraffe, elephant, ostrich, warthog, hartebeest, lions, leopard, hyena and genet cat.

SAFARI ACTIVITIES IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Game Drive in Tarangire National Park

Game drives can be done in all parts of the park, from Lemiyon, silale swamp, matete woodland, Burungi circuit, Kitibong hill to Tarangire river.

There are plenty of wildlife species to view during game drive. They include, lions, giraffes, elephants, hyenas, leopards, warthogs, buffaloes, Oryx, Kudu and many others.

Birding in Tarangire National Park

The activity is suitable in Matete’s open acacia woodland and grassland where the flat topped canopies of the acacia tortillas trees are an ideal sight seeing ground for birds as they guard their eggs from airborne predators.

Areas around the Tarangire river are also an ideal bird viewing spot. Some of the birds viewed include tawny eagle, long crested eagle, martial eagle, bateleur eagle, fish eagle and spotted eagle owl.

Other birds in the area include grey headed kingfisher, African skimmer, black-bee eater, falcons, Red-chested sunbird, Swamp Fly catcher, ground hornbill.

Hot Air Balloon Trip in Tarangire National Park

Hot air balloon is an amazing experience, flying over the park and having an aerial view of the top of ancient baobab trees, large elephant herds, leopards as they hunt and other wildlife as the sun rises.

Starting the trip at 6:30am, you may rise high enough to see golden grasslands dotted with giant baobab trees; silver ribbons of the Tarangire River and its tributaries where wildlife gather in the early morning to access water; herds of elephants, viewing their grey skins and white tusks as they look up at the balloon from the shelter of scrubby acacia woodlands;and the blue outline of the African Rift Valley Escarpment.

The trip lasts for a maximum of 1Hr following the days prevailing winds. At the end of the trip, each passenger gets a certificate for having been a part of the hot air balloon experience.

Air balloon trips are operated by some of the lodges in the park. They include Lake Burunge Lodge,Chem Chem, Elephant Lodge, Maromboi tented Lodge, Minjingu Village,Tarangire, River Camp Paradise Camp Site.

Accommodation in Tarangire National Park

Upscale

Whistling Thorn Camp

The lodge is situated just outside the park from the north side in Kwakuchinja, about 5Km from the parks gate.

It has 6 canvas en-suite tents under permanent grass thatched ramadas with a private Veranda. It has facilities such as restaurant, daily camp fire.

ROOMLOW SEASON (US$)

(Mar, Apr, May)

HIGH SEASON (US$) (June,September,October)PEAK SEASON (US$)

(Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug)

HBFBHBFBHBFB
Single141.50156.50156.50171.50156.50171.50
Double173203203233203233
Triple214.50259.50259.50304.50259.50304.50
  • NB: Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB)

Ecoscience Science center & Lodge

The lode combines with a scientific center where researchers of various fields meet and work on their specific projects.

The lodge offers the lodge sectionand the tent area. Ecosceince lodge has 6 en-suite rooms with King sized beds.

Two of the rooms were specifically designed for those with disabilities. The research section has 8 tented rooms with hard concrete floors.

Out of the 8 tents, 6 have 2 single beds which can be joined if necessary. Two other tents have King sized beds.

Triple or quadruple beds can be arranged on demand. However, the lodge and research section do not accommodate children below the age of 10 years.

Facilities at the lodge include restaurant and bar, gift shop and piano for live entertainment, dining area and lounge. All rates are on a full board plan.

Chem Chem Safari Lodge

It is found in the Burunge area between the Tarangire National park and Lake Manyara in the Burunge wildlife management area.

It has 8 tent-style suites with an opulent main lodge house. One of the 8 tents is a family suite tent.

Facilities found at the lodge include restaurant, fire place, bar, lounge, swimming pool, wireless internet, spa and fully stocked library.

ROOMHIGH SEASON US$

Mar, 15thMay- 14thJun

1st Nov – 19th Dec

PEAK SEASON US$

15th Jun – 31st Oct

20th Dec – 28th Feb 2017

Single12451575
Double Suite/Family8301050
Child Sharing (8-16yrs)415525

NB: All rates are on a Full board meal plan and include items such as unlimited consumption of house wines (excluding French champagne and connoisseur), beers, spirits, water and soft drinks.

  • Evening sundowners on the edge of Lake Manyara.
  • Game drive to Tarangire National Park in an open vehicle (excludes park fees)
  • Laundry (hand washed) & internet access (Wi-Fi available).
  • Stays of 3 nights or less : 1x 1-hour massage per person.*
  • Stays of 4 nights or more
  • Daily 1hr massage per person.
  • Guided walks, tracking with the Masaai and bush breakfast
  • Day with local Masaai, cultural visit (Masaai village and the local school).

Little Chem Chem Camp

The camp is situated near lake burunge and is surrounded by impressive baobab trees. The camp offers 5 exquisitely decorated en-suite tents each with a large bedroom. 3 of the tents have king sized beds and 2 have twin beds. Each of the tents has a rocking chair and study desk. Each of the tents has a fire place.

ROOMHIGH SEASON US$

Mar, 1st– 14th Jun,

1stNov- 19th Dec

PEAK SEASON US$

15th Jun – 31st Oct

20th Dec – 28th Feb

Single1072.251335
Sharing715890
Child Sharing (8-16yrs)357.50445

NB:

  • 3 meals per day, house wines, beers, spirits, water & soft drinks (excludes connoisseur wine & French champagne)
  • All safari activities in the Chem Chem Reserve adjoining Tarangire National Park: including morning, afternoon &
  • Night game drives, guided walking safaris & conservation safaris with the anti-poaching team.
  • Evening sundowners on the edge of Lake Burunge.
  • Game drive to Tarangire National Park in an open vehicle (excludes park fees)
  • Visit with a local Maasai family.
  • Transfers to & from Kuro airstrip (in the Tarangire National Park, excludes Park Fees).
  • Laundry (hand washed)

Midrange

Kirurumu Tarangire lodge

The lodge is situated just 10 minutes from the parks main gate. It has 10 permanent tented cottages each with a private veranda.

Two of the cottages have double rooms, 2 are family cottages and the remaining 6 are twin room cottages. Facilities at the lodge include bar, dinning area and wireless internet.

 Getting to Tarangire National Park

Dar-es-salaam – Handeni – Kibaya – Babati  724Km (11hr 40min)

Dar-es-salaam – Morogoro – Mpwapwa – Kibaya – Babati 752Km (12hr 15min)

Dar-es-salaam – Korogwe – Same – Arusha – Monduli 772 Km (12Hr 30min)

By air

The National park has an airstrip situated in the northern section, Kuro Airstrip.

Coastal Aviation

Julius Nyerere International airport (Dar-es-salaam) to Kuro airstrip (Tarangire National Park) 4Hr 20min.

Kilimanjaro National Park to Kuro airstrip (connecting with safarilinkfrom Nairobi Wilson)

The flight has stops in Zanzibar, Arusha and Manyara.

Zan Air

Julius Nyerere International airport (Dar-es-salaam) to Arusha Airport (4Hr 10min).