Tarangire Np
Tarangire means the river of warthogs. It is named after the Tarangire river, the only source of water for the wildlife in the region during the dry season. The park is located in northern Tanzania and is mainly known for the presence of large elephant concentrations, birds, and an abundance of baobab trees. Tarangire is the sixth-largest national park in Tanzania. It hosts an abundant diversity of wildlife and chances of spotting four of the big five (elephants, buffalos, lions, and leopards) which makes it among the must-visit when on a Tanzania safari. Tarangire is the true untouched Africa at its best. Tarangire is also known as the land of giants due to the presence of elephants and baobab trees.
The Park covers an area of 2850 sq. km in size and is located 118 km southwest of Arusha. There are more breeding species of birds found in the park than anywhere else on the planet thus making it to be a paradise for birders. Some of the wildlife found in Tarangire includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, primates, ostriches, flamingos, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, buffaloes, wildebeests, pythons, hartebeests, elands, and impalas. The Tarangire national park is an excellent choice during the dry season when animals are forced to move closer and closer to the river in search of water and it gives scenic game views.
History
The area was established as a national park in the year of 1970 before big game hunters used it as a hunting ground.
The area is home to the three main distinct tribal groups living around the Tarangire national park.
The park is the land of the Barbaig, Nilo-Hamitic-speaking pastoralists with similar social structures to their successors, the Maasai, historically reputed for their power as rainmakers. It is also home to the Tatoga people, renowned for their skill in developing terraces and agriculture.
Why visit
Tarangire is an astonishing park in the north of Tanzania. The Serengeti is usually considered a top safari destination, but here are five reasons you should consider including the almighty Tarangire in your next safari. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit Tarangire national park.
The abundance of Wildlife.
The park is a habitat to plenty of wildlife like zebras, heard of up to about 300 elephants, migratory wildebeest, eland, gazelle, impala, zebras, kudu, hartebeest buffalo, and other smaller mammals.
Mongoose colonies are often hosted by abandoned drifts (anthills). The thick vegetation of Tarangire usually hides the main predators that are always there but cannot easily be seen just like any other parks in northern Tanzania.
Also, the parks have more breeding species of birds than anywhere else on the planet thus making it to be a paradise to birders.
Diverse landscape.
Tarangire competes with the Serengeti when it comes to a diverse landscape. There are heavily wooded areas spotted with the trademark baobab trees, as well as an abundance of abandoned termite mounds.
There is an open plain area known as “Small Serengeti”, where normal cheetah is seen hiding in the tall grasses. The rest of the park is rolling hills with scenic views overlooking the water sources where the animals can be found assembling.
Budget and easily accessible.
The park is among the cheapest option for safari-goers. It can be visited during the way to or from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas.
Visiting Tarangire can match your budget, time, and needs. The park is located just 3hrs drive from the main tourist hub Arusha.
The park can be done as a day trip from Arusha or can be combined with other nearby parks (lake Manyara and Ngorongoro). Two days might be enough to cover a lot of the park.