Tarangire National Pak, Tanzania
Tarangire National Park is commonly famous for its large herds of elephants, large baobab trees, and abundant birdlife. The most famous baobab tree in the Tarangire National Park is known as “the Poacher’s Hideout Tree” because in the past it was used by poachers as a hiding and lookout place. Elephants are virtually guaranteed in the park, and vast herds of Cape buffalo, as well as Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, and warthog all, are hunted by the lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, jackal, and even African wild dog.
Tarangire National Park takes its name from the Tarangire River located in the northern part, which is the only source of water during the driest season. It is during this season that animals concentrate along the banks of this river in search of water thus offering the visitors spectacular game viewing opportunities. From Arusha, Tarangire is located at a distance of about 120 kilometers which is in the southeast of Manyara National Park.
Tarangire is one of the few Tanzanian national parks to allow night drives within its boundaries. Activities in Tarangire National Park include game viewing, bird watching, cultural visits, and nature-guided walks.
During the dry season, the animals concentrate along the banks of the Tarangire River in search of water thus offering the visitors spectacular game viewing opportunities. During the months of June to September the park witnesses a small migration during which thousands of wildebeests and zebras head to the park for better grazing grounds.
The park comprises an extensive network of swamps that are mainly found in the southern and eastern parts of Tarangire. Especially in the rain season in April & May, these swamps offer habitat to a variety of birds and animals such as tree-climbing pythons, silale-swamp lions, African wild dogs, cape buffaloes, and even elephants.