Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a special place in the Manyara Region of Tanzania. It gets its name from the Tarangire River, which flows through the park and provides fresh water for animals, especially during the dry season when water is hard to find.

The park covers about 2,850 km² and has many different kinds of land, like hills made of granite, river valleys, and areas that flood when it rains. You can find many types of plants there, including Acacia trees, Combretum trees, grasses that grow when it’s wet, and the famous Adansonia trees, also known as baobabs.

Many animals live in Tarangire National Park, and it is especially important for wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season, these animals gather here from faraway places where they were born or spent the rainy season. The park is a vital home for wildlife all year round.

Flora and fauna

Tarangire National Park is well-known for its many elephants and baobab trees. During the dry season from June to November, visitors often see large groups of zebra, wildebeest, and cape buffalo. Other animals you might spot include waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, eland, Grant's gazelle, vervet monkey, banded mongoose, and olive baboon. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger, and African wild dog also live here.

The park has over 550 types of birds, making it a great place for bird lovers. You can also find many termite mounds in the park, and sometimes small dwarf mongoose live in the old ones. In 2015, a special white giraffe was seen in the park. Scientists are studying the African bush elephant and Masai giraffe here. Since 2005, the park has been important for lion protection.

Location and access

Tarangire National Park can be reached by a paved road south from Arusha in less than two hours. Lake Manyara National Park is about 70 kilometres (43 miles) away from Tarangire.