Tarangire is about 120 kilometers west of the city of Arusha. It is a quiet park located just off the main safari route in Northern Tanzania. It covers approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,096 square miles).
It is famous for its elephant migration and quiet authentic safari atmosphere. Tarangire is often skipped by most travellers to the region because it is located somewhat outside the main safari route.
Tarangire’s attractions:
With a game viewing area roughly ten times the size of nearby Manyara and a concentration of game that is exceptional from July through to October, this seasonal safari park is a little gem on the Northern safari circuit, especially if you love elephants.
Apart from its famous elephants, Tarangire is home to migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and a large collection of colourful birds. It’s the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem – a smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly seen. Bird-lovers might keep an eye open for screeching flocks of the colourful yellow-collared lovebird, and the somewhat drab rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling – all endemic to the dry savannah of north-central Tanzania.
While at Tarangire:
The main activity in Tarangire is daytime game driving, however, staying outside the park makes walking and night safari a possibility.
Best time to visit: The game viewing from July though to October is exceptional but for the remainder of the year the majority of game migrates out of the park, onto the floor of the Rift Valley and to the grazing grounds of the Masai steppe. As a result, we would advise visitors not to expect high concentrations of game in the off-season months, but would still recommend travelling here to those who want to avoid the crowds.