The Tarangire National Park
Located about 120km from Arusha, south east of Manyara Tarangire natitonal park is home to an incredible number of wildlife, with high concentrations of elephant, particularly during the months between June and October which are the dry months, and the game congregates along the river, after they have migrated from the game controlled area on the outskirts of the park.
Tarangire is famous for its many Baobab trees, some of which are over a millennia old. These grow in the open acacia woodlands. The Park is also full of birds of prey, and offers a rich variety of wildlife, including Zebra, Kudu, Eland, Impala, Grants, Thomson, Impala, Cape buffalo, Wildebeest, Fringe eared Oryx, Leopard, Lion and lots of smaller mammals.
Tarangire: Landscape
Tarangire has regions of quite dense bush, but with high grasses and huge old baobab trees instead of the green forests of Manyara.
The land is hilly and dominated by the impressive valley of the Tarangire River, which attracts good numbers of migrant animals during the dry months, especially between July and September.
Tarangire: Wildlife
During the dry months the concentration of animals around the Tarangire river is almost as diverse and reliable as in the Ngorongoro Crater, but the ecosystem here is balanced by a localized migration pattern that is followed by most animals other than lion, who don’t tend to abandon their territory.
There are a fantastic number of colorful birds swooping and strutting along the rough paths throughout the year, with likely spots including the Paradise Whyder and endearing Yellow-collared lovebirds. There are a few resident lions, that are easier to spot when the migration arrives to excite their taste buds. In other months they look quite mean and lean and slip easily between the lengthening grasses.