Tarangire National Park

Head to the riverbanks in the early summer, when the Tarangire river is the only water source for wildebeest, elephant, zebra and more...

Overview

The Tarangire National Park is often the first (or last) safari stay in the northern circuit of Tanzania. It is a game-rich paradise especially during the dry season from June to October. The Tarangire River is a vital life source for the huge amount of game. In particular, wildebeest, zebra and buffalo migrate here during the dry season. A little known fact is that, at the tail-end of the dry season (September to November), the elephant concentration in Tarangire is the greatest in all of Africa.

Tarangire National Park has much to offer. You’ll see zebra and wildebeest as well as giraffe, eland and buffalo. Thompson’s gazelle, Cooke’s hartebeest, greater and lesser kudu. Cheetahs gravitate to the open swamp areas of the southern Tarangire. But other predators, lion and the elusive leopard, are also attracted by the sheer quantity of plains game.

Tarangire Safari Lodges & Camps

The Tarangire safari lodges are located both inside the National Park and just outside its borders. Both locations have their merits. Just outside the park are long-term favourites such as Tarangire Treetops. Lodges outside can offer interaction with the local community and night-time game drives on the game-management area which abuts the park.

Inside the park are Oliver’s Camp and its sister property, Little Oliver’s, as well as Sanctuary Swala and Nomad Kuro. These allow you to venture further south into the park, and away from the day visitors.

Safari in Tarangire National Park

Note: Tsetse flies can be an issue in the wooded areas of the park so keep your legs and feet covered.

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Features

Why you may love it

  • Vast number of ancient baobab.
  • Large herds of elephant.
  • Arguably the best bird diversity in East Africa with over 490 bird species including the yellow-collared lovebirds.
  • Interaction with the local community.
  • Night game drives.

When to visit Tarangire National Park

January to March

Summer in Tarangire National Park

The Summer offers the warmest temperatures (28C during the day and a pleasant 18C at night). January and February tend to be relatively dry (75mm per month). Even out of the peak season, Tarangire is still a rewarding park to visit with plenty of resident game to keep your interest.
AVG RAINFALL 71 mm
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ / 86 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

Mid-March to May

Rain season in Tarangire National Park

This is the time of the “long rains’ in northern Tanzania. April is the wettest month by far and is not an ideal month for safari as it rains on most days and cold fronts can cause cooler temperatures. May tends to be drier. And it’s quieter than the later peak months. Though the game-viewing is not as plentiful as later during the dry season, there is plenty of resident game in May so it’s well worth a visit.
AVG RAINFALL 92 mm
MAX TEMP 28 ℃ / 82 ℉
MIN TEMP 18.5 ℃ / 65 ℉

June to October

Best game-viewing in Tarangire National Park

As the dry season begins again in June, much of the game returns to Tarangire National Park, especially the elephants. Then the wide Tarangire River and the southern swamps act as a vital source of water for wildlife. At this time game-viewing is extremely rewarding. Temperatures are very pleasant during the day (up to 26C), dry and sunny. However it does cool down at night dopping down to 15C. However it starts heating up and gaining humidity in September and October with the approach of the short rains.
AVG RAINFALL 6 mm
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 14.5 ℃ / 58 ℉

November to December

Short rain in Tarangire National Park

November & December is the time of the less intense short rains which usually last around 4 weeks. So some of the game leaves the park to spread out across the whole Tarangire biosphere. As there’s a choice of nutritious grasses elsewhere. Zebra and wildebeest head to the Rift Valley floor around Lake Manyara and the southern Serengeti. However the rain comes as afternoon or night showers so there’s plenty of sunshine as well. The evenings remain moderately warm.
AVG RAINFALL 80 mm
MAX TEMP 29.5 ℃ / 85 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

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Sonja Brand

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I'm Sonja, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
 
Did you know
  • WildlifeKnown for large herds of elephant
  • GeographyTarangire River is a permanent water source

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