Tarangire is the least visited of the parks along Tanzania’s northern circuit, and it’s a crying shame. The park’s large elephant population, iconic Baobab trees, and diversity of wildlife make it one of the best parks in the country for taking breathtaking photos or simply basking in the beauty of the world’s largest land mammals.
Overview
Game drives through Tarangire are particularly thrilling during the dry season when the animals of the park must cluster closer and closer to the Tarangire River. This offers a great opportunity to see plenty of animals in one place and to witness the predator-prey relationship in action.
Itinerary
You'll depart from Arusha after breakfast and begin the two hour drive to Tarangire National Park.
Along the way you'll take in the changing landscape as Arusha's urban jungle is replaced by wide open plains and quaint Masai villages. Checking in at the park offers a good chance to see mischievous monkeys darting about in the shade and you can also pose with a gigantic Baobab at the park's entrance.
Once inside the park, you'll see the eponymous Tarangire river lined with acacia and Baobab where game amble to and fro throughout the day. During the dry season, thousands of animals from the Masai steppe migrate to the Tarangire region looking for water so you can see dozens of different species in a small amount of time.
Exclusive to the park are endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu, Fringe-Eared Oryx, and the Ashy Starling.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the park's picnic areas and take in an unparralelled view of the Tarangire River. Keep an eye on your food though, as the local monkey population will be only too happy to make off with a tasty treat if given the opportunity!
You'll return to Arusha late in the afternoon.
Price includes:
- All Taxes / VAT
- Park Fees
- Airport Transfer
- Accommodation as Mentioned in Itinerary
- 1-3 Meals a day Mentioned in Itinerary
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter per person per day)
- Activities as mentiioned in tour description
- Transportation as mentioned, Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and Toyota Noah minivan for airport transfer
- A professional guide / driver
Price excludes
- International Flights
- Visa Fees
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks (Soda, Alcohol)
- Tips
- Vaccination
- Laundry
- Other Personal Items
You will require a passport valid for at least six months after your date of entry. If you are arriving from a country in which Yellow Fever is endemic (such as Kenya), you will require an immunization certificate or health card.
Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and most countries in the EU, need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. Application details and forms can be found on Tanzanian Embassy web sites.
As with all visa matters — contact your local Tanzanian Embassy for the latest information
High-end lodges and restaurants will clean their produce in antiseptic solution, but to be on the safe side, fruit and vegetables should always be washed and peeled. Try to avoid eating in empty restaurants – the food may have been sitting out for some time – and order your meat well done. On the coast, seafood and fish are usually fresh, but make sure everything is well-cooked.
Also, much of the accommodations are tented camps. These tents tend to be tightly sealed and zipped tight avoiding the need for mosquito netting. Furthermore, at most camps/lodges, while you enjoy dinner, housekeeping will complete a turndown service and spray the rooms with mosquito repellent. Regardless of mosquito netting, you should always bring insect repellent with DEET, trousers/slacks, sports/long sleeved shirt and/or blouse and dress/skirt for ladies.
It is often warm on the plains and at lower altitudes but cold in the hilly and mountainous areas; a rain jacket, fleece and good quality walking shoes/boots are essential.
With close to 1,150 species of birds, of which 23 species are endemic and 36 species globally threatened, Tanzania ranks as one of the top birding destinations in Africa, and the second most varied avifauna of any country on the African continent.
