Facts About Tarangire National Park : While planning for an awe-inspiring destination to see wildlife, Tarangire should be on your bucket list. It is a hidden jewel in the northern part of Tanzania. It lies within the Great Rift Valley, 140 kilometers southwest of Arusha town. Its size is 4,160 square kilometers. You probably want to know more about this alluring destination. In this article, we highlight interesting facts about Tarangire.
The Tarangire River is a lifeline in the dry season
When many other places dry out, the Tarangire River remains the only water source. Animals in their thousands migrate to the banks of this majestic river to get water. This place turns into a dramatic scene as the hungry predators try to take advantage of weak prey.
Tarangire River hosts crocodiles and hippos. A myriad of birds reside in the riverine forests. This river has been an excellent wildlife viewing point for many visitors during the dry season. Wild animals will come around from their search for pasture. Predators never stay far from herbivores. They follow them to obtain food and relieve thirst.
Seeing a herd of 300 elephants in Tarangire is common
Tarangire is renowned for hosting plenty of these terrestrial giants. It has the largest elephant population in the country. Elephants are clever animals in the jungle. Their brain is bigger enough to weigh 5 kilograms. They roam the plains of Tarangire and it is quite common to see big herds of up to 300 elephants.
Elephants form herds of up to 30 individuals whereas a matriarchal leader rules this herd. This leader finds the best place to get food and water for the herd. In most cases, the members of the herd originate from the same matriarchal ancestor. The bond may last for decades.
In Tarangire however, elephants form larger herds usually combining several clans. This is interesting. While observing elephants, make sure you leave a 100-meter distance from them. They are polite but extremely dangerous when they charge.
Tarangire’s baobabs have lived more than 200 years
A baobab tree is a succulent plant. These trees are unique. They can soak up water and store it in the trunk. Such water is used in the rainy season to produce healthy fruits.
Since it produces fruit when other trees are dry, the baobab has been referred to as ‘The Tree of Life.’ The branches look like roots, baobab is sometimes referred to as an ‘upside-down tree.’ Its height ranges from 16 to 82 feet while its diameter of 33 to 46 feet.
In Tarangire, baobabs disperse in the plains. They can live for up to 1,500 years, but the majority of the trees in Tarangire National Park are only 300 years old.
The baobabs have must-see attractions. Their wonderful size is interesting. Their capacity to store water is also iconic. Elephants, monkeys, bush babies, and warthogs feed on them.
The baobab trees also have a special meaning in local culture. They are worshiping places for some locals. Visitors can join locals in such a special event. Some believe in the existence of spirits in the flowers of baobab trees. The locals used the leaves of baobab trees as herbs for treating various infections.
Tarangire has more diverse wildlife.
Tarangire is home to a diverse wildlife species. It hosts herbivores, predators, insects, and birds. You will not see all the Big Five animals. But you will see at least four animals making the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo). Polite animals like giraffes graze in tall trees while wildebeest seizes the grassy plains. You may also see zebras, impalas, antelope, hyenas, and the rare African wild dogs.
Over 550 birds are resident in Tarangire.
If you are a birder looking for a destination to see unique birds, Tarangire is your place. The bird concentration is enormous and usually leaves bird watchers surprised. To a surprise, Tarangire has more breeding birds than any protected area in the world.
If you are in Tarangire for birding safaris, get your things ready, including binoculars and a modern camera. Birds like rufous-tailed weavers, ashy starlings, and yellow-collared lovebirds are endangered. However, they are abundant in Tarangire.
Tarangire is strategically located.
Being close to Arusha town makes it easily accessible. International visitors can land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to Tarangire. It is a 1:30-hour drive from Arusha. Day trips from Arusha are also available.
During the dry season, wild animals congregate at the banks of the Tarangire River. This makes game viewing much easier. The roads are also passable and the grass is short.
Other notable birds include red-billed hornbills, falcons, francolins, red-bellied barbets, red-and-yellow barbets, speckle-fronted weavers, and more. It is hard to resist pulling out your camera to record a magical event of a bird.
Come and see it by yourself. Sometimes you might be missing the right information in this article because some scenes can’t be documented. We recommend you plan a trip with us for an immersive safari in Tarangire or any other destination in Tanzania.
