Occupying almost four thousand square kilometers of pure Rift Valley wilderness southeast of Lake Manyara, Tarangire comprises Tarangire National Park and the adjacent Tarangire Conservation Area. Uncrowned and unspoiled ,they posses a wild and unkempt beauty, and contain pretty much every animal species you’re likely to see on safari with the exception of rhino, which were wiped out here by poachers in the 1980s. Tarangires signature attractions are elephants (head counts of several hundred a day are not unusual), and baobabs, weird, ungainly and hugely impressive trees that can live for several thousand years, providing wonderful silhouettes for sunset photographs.

The areas ecological importance stems from the Tarangire River, which loops through the park in an anticlockwise direction, emptying into the shallow and alkaline Lake Burunge just outside the parks western boundary. A bare string of isolated waterholes in the dry season, the river is in spate during the rains, and is the catalyst for an annual wildlife migration. Many animals stay all year round however, including significant numbers of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, ostriches and warthogs, and a full range of antelopes. Also present are predators- lions can usually be viewed lazing around by the river and, with luck, you might also catch sight of a leopard (best seen in the adjacent conservation area, where night game-drives by spotlight are allowed). Cheetahs exist but are rare, as the long grass doesn’t favour their hunting technique, and you’d also be lucky to see hyenas, whether spotted or striped.

The best time to visit is July to October or November for the national parks when wildlife concentrations are second only to the Serengeti -Ngorongoro ecosystem. The conservation area is also good at this time, but even better when the migration is passing through, during December- March and May and June, though long grass immediately after the rains may hinder visibility.

Strangely, there seems to be some prejudice against Tarangire ,particularly on the web, with some reviews even going as far as to say that a trip to Tarangire isn’t worth the effort expended to reach it. While we cant be certain, we can be fairly sure that some of these opinions come from the safari companies themselves, who are reluctant to visit the park because of the extra fuel involved in reaching here (as opposed to the other parks that all conveniently lie on the same axis) .The extra petrol costs east directly into their profits, and so they like to run the place down. Suffice to say that amongst the tourists who have managed to visit it, Tarangire sits alongside Ngorongoro as one of the most popular and beautiful parks in Tanzania.

Bird watching In Tarangire

With its wide variety of habitats and food sources ,bird watching in and around Tarangire is a major draw, with over 550 species recorded to date, the highest count of any Tanzanian park, and about a third of all Tanzania’s species. In the swampy floodplains in the south and east, Tarangire also contains some of earth’s most important breeding grounds for Eurasian migrants. Whenever you are, you’ll rarely be left in silence: birdsong starts well before dawn, and continues deep into the night.

Its impossible to give a full list of what’s around, but to give an idea, the woodlands are particularly good for hoopoes and hornbills, brown parrots and the white-bellied go-away-bird ( named after its curious call) , and for game birds such as helmeted guinea fowl, yellow-necked spur fowl and crested francolin. Other commonly sighted birds include yellow-collared lovebirds and lilac-breasted rollers, barbets and mouse-birds, swifts, striped swallows and starlings, bee-eaters, hammerkops, owls, plovers and cordon bleus. There are also four bustard species, including the kori, the worlds heaviest flying bird, albeit usually seen on the ground. High above, especially close to hills, soar bateleur eagles, their name-“tumbler in French -aptly describing their aerobatic skills. Over fifty other species of raptors (birds of prey) have been recorded, from steppe eagles (migrants from Russia) and giants such as lappet-faced vultures, to the tiny pygmy falcon.

The best months for bird watching are from September or October to April or May, when the winter migrants are present, though access-especially to the swamp areas- can become impossible at the height of the long rains from March to May. We have specialist birding safaris in East Africa, whose trips are based at Naitolia Camp or Boundary Hill Lodge in the conservation area, and cost very reasonable fees per person per day.

Tarangire Wildlife Migration

Albeit nowhere near as grand as Serengeti world-famous migration,Tarangire is the centre of an annual migration that includes up to 3000 elephants,25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebras, as well as such rare creatures as the fringe-eared Oryx .In the dry season, from July to late October or early November ,animals concentrate along the Tarangire River and its waterholes, before the onset of the short rains prompts wildebeest and zebra to head off north towards Lake Manyara ,and east into the Kilimanjaro Plains of the Maasai Steppe. By April or May ,when the long rains are at their height ,the migration is also at its peak, with animals scattered over an area ten times larger than Tarangire ,some even reaching Kenya’s Amboseli National Park,250km northeast on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro.

When the rains come to an end ,usually between mid-May and early June, the plains dry up and eland and Oryx turn back towards Tarangire,followed by elephants and then, by July, zebra and wildebeest .In August ,with the weather now hot and dry ,the bulk of the migrants are back in Tarangire ,where they will stay at a few months before the whole cycle begins anew.

Accommodation & Bookings At Tarangire National Park

Apart from some very basic guesthouses along the highway at Makuyuni and Kigongoni, the cheapest accommodation is camping, either outside the park in some very average campsites, or- much better -inside the park. There are lodges and tented camps in both the park and adjacent conservation area; the latter has the edge in being able to offer night game-drives and bush walks, though walks should eventually also be possible inside the park (currently from Oliver’s Camp) , but probably only for overnight visitors.

Olivers Camp East of Silate Swamp, 70km inside the park. Painfully expensive but with fine views of nearby swamps and good wildlife guides-especially if birds are your thing, as the location is a twitchers paradise. It’s also the only place inside the park to offer bush walks. Accommodation is in comfortable en-suite tents. Closed mid-March to Mid-June .All inclusive packages.

Swala Camp Close to Gursi Swamp, 67km inside the park .Sheltered in an acacia grove, the nine luxurious en-suite tents are stuffed with period furniture and each has a terrace overlooking a waterhole frequented by waterbuck, the said Swala (impala) ,lion ,elephant and leopard. Closed April & May .All inclusive package.

Tarangire Safari Lodge High above the Tarangire River, 10km inside the park. Cheapest lodge in the park and none too quite given its 86 rooms and popularity with package tours, but the location is superb overlooking the river below. The rooms and permanent tents are fine (but lack nets) .There’s also a large swimming pool. Half price April & May.HB

Tarangire Sopa Lodge South of Matete, 32km inside the park .Large and functional rather than beautiful, built on a wooded hillside east of the Tarangire River. Views are good and the bedrooms (four with disabled access) are spacious .There’s also a small pool. Half price April & May .HB.

Boundary Hill Lodge 47km from the highway. Perched high on the rocky hillside, this is a truly eco-friendly lodge-relying on rainwater, solar panels and wind turbines -and the local Maasai owns fifty percent. The eight spacious rooms each have spectacular views over Silale and Gosuwa swamps, as does the large swimming pool built into the rock. Included in the cost are game drives (also at night with spotlights) and sun downers on Sunset Hill. All-inclusive.

Kikoti 6km from the park, 61km from the main gate. Eighteen thatched en-suite, twin or double bandas, each one raised on a platform and boasting a lovely large veranda. Pleasant ,without being spectacular: it does at least have 24hr power and hot water-but at this price, you would expect a bit more.

Naitolia Camp 18km from the highway .Located in baobab-and acacia -studded woodland; this is an informal place with friendly staff. Accommodation is in four secluded stone-and-canvas rooms, or in a romantic tree house with spectacular views of the savanna. All have flush toilets and bucket showers but no electricity. The same activities as at Boundary Hill Lodge are available, plus fly-camping. All inclusive packages.

Tarangire Treetops Lodge 37km from the highway .The ultimate in bush chic, though with prices that leave you seeing stars. Twenty quirky romantic tree-house tents with two beds, stone bathrooms, electricity and sweeping 270-degree views from their balconies. The dining room is built close to a small swimming pool and waterhole used by elephant’s .Optional extras includes nigh game-drives and bush dinners. Closed April & May .FB.

There are several options for hotel accommodation in Tanzanians national park and game reserves segmented into camping safaris, budget lodges and tented camps, luxury lodges & tented camps, boarding & lodging and are based on full board, half board and bed and breakfast. The means of transport to these lodges and tented camps is by air safari flights, road safaris and private air charter flights. There are various activities en-route to the national parks and game reserves namely, birding safaris, scenic safaris, sight seeing safaris, filming safaris, aerial survey & photography safaris which can be done either way using air or road transport. There are tour packages segmented for individual and incentive groups for air and road safaris. To the luxurious lodges and tented camps and for special camping safaris it will be recommended bookings to be done months ahead to avoid last minute disappointments through your tours & travel company. http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

Anthony Mmeri is the Editor and Tours Director at Wings Over Africa Safaris Limited. This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Hotel Accommodation & Bookings | Birding Safaris | Safaris To Lodges & Tented Camps Tarangire Tanzania. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

Author Bio: There are several options for hotel accommodation in Tanzanians national park and game reserves segmented into camping safaris, budget lodges and tented camps, luxury lodges & tented camps, boarding & lodging and are based on full board, half board and bed and breakfast. The means of transport to these lodges and tented camps is by air safari flights, road safaris and private air charter flights. There are various activities en-route to the national parks and game reserves namely, birding safaris, scenic safaris, sight seeing safaris, filming safaris, aerial survey & photography safaris which can be done either way using air or road transport. There are tour packages segmented for individual and incentive groups for air and road safaris. To the luxurious lodges and tented camps and for special camping safaris it will be recommended bookings to be done months ahead to avoid last minute disappointments through your tours & travel company. http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

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