5 reasons to visit Tarangire National Park

When most people think about a safari in Tanzania, the first places that come to mind are usually the vast plains of the Serengeti or the dramatic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater. But there is another park quietly stealing the show. Tarangire National Park lies just a few hours from Arusha, and is home to towering baobab trees, vast savannah and some of the largest elephant herds in East Africa. While often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, our Tanzania team recently discovered the magic of Tarangire and why it deserves a place on your Tanzania itinerary.

If seeing wild elephants is a priority for you, then Tarangire definitely delivers – as it is one of the best places in Tanzania to see them. It is common to spot large herds moving through the park, especially near the river, and our team were thrilled to witness a group of around 15 huge bulls walking slowly past the safari jeep, just a few metres away. One by one, they watched as the elephants crossed the road, hearing branches snapping as they moved slowly through the trees. Moments like this are what make safaris so memorable – quiet encounters where you simply sit back and watch wildlife behaving naturally in their own environment.

The scenery in Tarangire is unlike other parks, with giant baobab trees rising our of the plains like natural sculptures, their thick trunks and twisting branches standing out, some centuries old. Combine this with lush rolling hills, pockets of woodland and seasonal wetlands, giving the park a very different feel from the flat grasslands of the Serengeti. The baobab trees themselves are often referred to as the tree of life, as they store up large amounts of water in their trunks and provide shelter and food for wildlife. Elephants are big fans too, standing in their shade during the heat of the day, and something stripping back their bark to feed on the fibrous layers inside.

When doing research for your trip to Tanzania, you’ll almost certainly come across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. For good reason too, as they are both spectacular parks, home to incredible wildlife. However, they are also the busiest parks in the northern Tanzania. During the peak seasons from June to October and December to February, its common to see several safari vehicles gathered around a wildlife sighting. However, in Tarangire National Park you will have a quieter, calmer experience where sightings tend to feel more personal and less rushed, due to fewer visitors. It’s not uncommon to drive for long stretches without seeing another vehicle, and when wildlife is spotted, you’ll often be able to spend more time watching the animals in their natural surroundings.

Tarangire National Park is especially well known for its elephant population, however there is so much more wildlife to be discovered. The varied mix of landscapes, from open savannahs and acacia woodlands to wetlands and riverbanks create homes for a huge range of different animals. Heading out on safari, you’ll likely spot large groups of giraffe stepping between the trees, zebra and wildebeest grazing the plains, and herd of buffalo gathering near water sources. The park is also home to a few predators, including Lions who can be seen resting in the shade or even climbing into the trees – a unique sight that will be sure to stick with you. While leopards are more elusive, it is still possible to see them, and look out for cheetahs roaming the open plains. Tarangire is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with hundreds of different species recorded from colourful kingfishers, to striking hornbills and soaring eagles.

Another highlight of Tarangire National Park is the wide variety of lodges and camps, which makes the places you sleep an experience in itself. Staying here isn’t just about a comfortable place to rest your head, its about feeling part of the landscape. From tented suites built high into baobab trees where you can watch elephants roam from your private deck, to lodges that offer guided bush walks and sundowners, and some camps even have their own wildlife viewing areas, giving you the chance to spot animals before you have even gone out on a game drive.