Tarangire National Park
OUR TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT
Although travel is currently impossible, you might well be daydreaming of where you’re going to visit once it is safe to do so. Certainly here at Pembury, the longer we spend at home social distancing, the more our wanderlust grows. Looking at exciting and different destinations across the world provides a much-welcomed mental break during an otherwise stressful time.
So, we thought we’d put together another one of our reasons to visit blogs, to give you some travel inspiration during a time when travel is not an option.
Tarangire National Park is easily one of Tanzania’s most underrated parks. However, it is a fair rival to the Serengeti, with a breathtakingly diverse landscape, astounding wildlife population and authentic safari experience.
1. The Baobabs
The first reason to visit Tarangire National Park is a rather unusual one – it does not involve incredible wildlife or safari experiences but rather, trees. Tarangire is famed for its spectacular number of ancient baobab trees. Tarangire’s baobabs can reach up to 30 metres (98 feet) in height. Some of these trees are around 1000 years old, bringing an ancient wonder to the atmosphere of the park.
These epic trees with their thick, sturdy trunks and contrasting small, root-like branches make for an unusual and beautiful backdrop to your safari. As Ryszard Kapuściński once said: “Like elephants among other animals, so are baobabs among trees: they have no equals”.
2. An Abundance of Wildlife
Prepare to be astounded by overwhelming numbers of wildlife. Tarangire has Tanzania’s second highest population of wildlife, after the Serengeti. Is this not reason enough to visit?
In the dry season, between June and September, the park teems with life. Large populations of zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, eland, antelope and warthogs go in search of water. Lions and hyenas follow suit. Tarangire, in fact, has 700 resident lions making for frequent sightings. These lions are also prone, rather unusually, to climb trees. This makes for unique safari sightings. Leopards prow stealthily at night in search of prey.
Not to mention the other unusual species – you’ll have the opportunity to spot vervet monkeys, fringe-eared oryx, the gerenuk and mongoose.
3. The Elephants
The third reason to visit Tarangire National Park is for the sheer numbers of elephant. It huge herds of elephants have become iconic symbols of the park.
During the dry season, the park has reportedly the largest concentration of these gentle giants in the world – approximately 2500! Herds reach up to 300 elephant, making for a breathtaking safari experience.
4. Birdwatching
Another one of Africa’s incredible birdwatching destinations, Tarangire is a birdwatching hotspot. The park is home to over 500 species of bird, some of which are endemic to Tanzania.
Larger varieties to look for are the ostrich, hornbill, bustards and the formidable secretary bird. Smaller varieties include the woodpecker, superb starling, weaver bird and yellow-collared love bird.
5. The Safari
The fifth and final (for now) reason to visit Tarangire National Park is, as it has to be, because of the safari experience. Because Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s lesser known parks, most visit only for a day. So, if you spend a few days there (which we highly recommend!), you will have a world-class safari experience, without the crowds.
A Tarangire safari offers more animals and less tourists. This removes the frenziness and busyness of game vehicles fighting for the best sighting of a leopard in a tree or a herd of elephant strolling between the baobabs. What you’re left with is a much more relaxed, peaceful and authentic safari experience.
There are also a number of safari camps specialising in walking safaris. This allows you to experience the African bush in a more immersive and sensory way.
When to Go
Tarangire is a seaonal park – the best time to visit is during the dry season, between June and September. Reasons for this being:
- It is easier to spot wildlife as they stay near the rivers.
- Animals have migrated into the park from surrounding areas.
- The weather is warm and sunny.
- The risk of malaria is lower.
- Animals migrate into the park from surrounding areas
- Wildlife is easier to spot because they stay near the rivers
