Tarangire National Park

I can't remember everything we saw there, but I do remember a very positive experience. It's not far behind the Serengeti.

Stayed in a lodge in the park I wish we would have stayed a day just in the lodge alone, again food was excellent.

Vast, better for less known animals as well as the main ones.

Had to rush through, got bitten by Tse Tses (tzetze); late in the afternoon; not much wildlife.

I spent 3 hours on safari in Tanzania, and saw a pair of cheetahs (and recorded their sweet cry to one another), lions, ostrich mating dance, a gazelle 20 feet up in a tree (killed and dragged up there by a leopard!) and a lion kill!!!

Great scenery, full with huge baobabs, and all the elephants you ever dreamed of seeing.

Everything you want from an African safari

When you think of Tarangire, you think of elephants. Lots and lots of elephants.
On average there are approximately 3000 elephants living in the park, so chances are that you will see a few of them. Certainly in the morning or late in the afternoon, you can easily find them when they migrate between the bush and the river area. With a bit of luck, they end up right next to (or in front of) your jeep.

The park is one of the highlights of the northern safari circuit in Tanzania. It is fairly close to Arusha, approximately a 2 hour drive, but it is recommended to stay at least one night in one of the lodges in the park. All the way through the park, there runs the Tarangire river. This river provides some breathtaking scenery, certainly when you find the right picnic spot or you make a stop at the Tarangire Safari Lodge and enjoy the view from their terrace. With a bit of luck, you will find a big herd of elephants and many other animals on the plains and the riverbed right down the cliff on which the lodge has been built. A visit to the Tarangire Safari Lodge really is a must if you are visiting the park. It is one of the most beautiful views you will see in Eastern Africa. Of course, you could also stay there for the night.

The northern part of the park is the most busy part, and rightfully so. There is so much to see in this area and in general you will not see too many vehicles at the same time, apart from the entrance gate and at really special game sightings.
Besides the elephants, you will find all sort of large animals, like zebra, wildebeest and giraffes and cats like lions and cheetahs. When we visited the park, the cats were fairly active and we witnessed a cheetah hunting impala and two female lions checking a warthog out if he (or she) was any good for lunch.
The large animals are very compelling of course, but don’t forget to look for the small animals and birds as well. One of the smaller animals that quickly became one of our favourites is the dik-dik. We even found a pair right next to our lodge when we checked in. Furthermore, there are birds in all sizes, from ostriches and secretary birds to lovebirds and there are plenty of birds of prey to spot.

All in all, Tarangire is everything you want from an Eastern African safari, all in one park. Breathtaking scenery and an abundance of game to enjoy.

Tarangire by far surpassed our wildest expectations. Up close, and personal, with lions, elephants, monkeys and a long, long list of fascinating wildlife. Add to this a fantastic lodge and an outstanding guide!

The landscape here is what I loved the most... and the elephants wandering around the lodge was a bonus!

Didn't see all that many bird species.