Tarangire is a great bird-watching site with more than 500 species recorded. The park harbors several dry-country bird species at the extremity of their range, such as the northern pied babbler and vulturine guineafowl. Serious bird-lovers should also keep an eye open for flocks of the dazzlingly colorful yellow-collared lovebird, and the somewhat drabber rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling – all restricted to the dry savannah of north-central Tanzania. Migratory birds are present from November to April. Birdlife is plentiful all year round, but bird watching is at its best when the European and north African migratory birds are present (November to April). Nesting among the resident birds is taking place during this same time, so it is easy to spot birds in their breeding plumage. Wildlife viewing is best during the Dry season (June to October).
Tarangire National Park
Background
Tarangire National Park is home to elephants and baobab trees! This underrated park is one of Tanzania's more beautiful parks offering an outstanding safari experience. Large herds of elephants and tree climbing lions are some of the top attractions in Tarangire. Tarangire National Park is one of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, with a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. In the Dry season, between June and October, large herds of animals are attracted to the Tarangire River. At this time, the elephant numbers are spectacular and the park should be part of any safari in northern Tanzania. Herds of up to 300 elephant can be found, looking for underground streams in the dry riverbeds, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Abandoned termite mounds often house mongoose colonies. All the main predators are present, but because of thick vegetation, not spotted as often as in some of the other parks in northern Tanzania.
Wildlife Experience
Tarangire National Park is noted as a safari destination for its elephant population and spectacular baobabs of every shape and colour. The parks name is derived from the Tarangire River, the parks only source of permanent water. In the dry season this river is the lifeline, attracting much of the game. Huge herds of elephant, Zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and rhino and lion enjoy this terrain and are frequently seen. The Tarangire Park is also synonymous with two of the rarer game species; the greater kudu and the Fringe-eared oryx. In addition, leopard and tree-climbing pythons often inhabit the trees. Due to the low volume of traffic in the park, the game is wild, being unaccustomed to vehicles, this offers a truly unique experience. For guests on the Full Game Package, two game viewing drives in open-topped 4WD vehicles are included in the package. Large herds of antelope of all sorts including: eland, lesser kudu, Kongoni, impala, Zebra, gazelles, buffalo, wildebeest, leopard, elephant, rhino and lots of smaller mammals.
