Park Overview

Tarangire National Park

The fierce sun sucks the moisture from the landscape, baking the earth a dusty red, the withered grass as brittle as straw. The Tarangire River has shrivelled to a shadow of its wet season self. But it is choked with wildlife. Thirsty nomads have wandered hundreds of parched kilometres knowing that here, always, there is water.

Tarangire river

baobabs in Tarangire park

Waterbucks

Location:
Arusha Region, Tanzania
Circuit Northern

Area: 2,600sq km

Gazetted: 1970

Topography:
The southern half and extreme north is mostly flat, while the rest of the park is gently undulated. The landscape is dotted with rocky outcrops (kopjes) and baobab trees. The Tarangire river is the main perennial river and traverses the park from south to north/north-west

Main Features:
- Tarangire River; a permanent water source and refuge to resident wildlife year-round

- Tarangire Hill is the highest point in the park making it a good viewpoint
- Diverse habitat

- High concentration of African Ebony; the hardest wood in the world

- High concentration of leopards

- Birdwatchers paradise; with over 500 plus species

- Guided walks at camps and lodges outside the park

- Predators such as hyenas have adapted to hunting at night

- Large elephant herds

- High concentration of Baobab trees

- Tarangire is part of an extended ecosystem that includes Mkungunero Game Controlled Area to the south, and the Lolkisale Game Controlled Area to the north-east.

- Tree climbing pythons

- And finally something a bit out of the ordinary; Pancake Tortoise Research. Originating somewhere in Tanzania, pancake tortoises were caught being smuggled in Amsterdam in the early 80s and were returned back to Tanzania and since the source location was unknown, they were brought to Tarangire and research on these reptiles began and continues till today to determine their behavior and habitat.

Animal life:
Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife. Large herds of zebras, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, lesser kudus, gazelles, giraffes, waterbucks, impalas, and in particular elephants. Lions, leopards, hyaena, olive baboons, bat-eared foxes and warthogs can also be seen.

Birdlife:
More than 550 species of birds have been recorded including Masai Ostrich, Martial Eagle, Yellow-collared Lovebird, White and Pink-backed Pelicans, Saddle-bill Stork, Goliath Heron, Hammerkop, Bateleur Eagle, Helmeted Guinea-fowl, Kori Bastard, Long-toed Lapwing, Brown Parrot, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Madagascar Bee-eater, African Hoopoe, and a variety of kingfishers, weavers, owls, doves, plovers, sandpipers, francollins, and ducks.

Gear List

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Highlights / Features

Best time to visit:
Dry season;
Between August and October

Safari Park Gear List

The key to staying comfortable on safari is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation. This gear list is provided to help you in choosing your equipment and clothing for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this helps you and the field staff.
Weather

On safari, temperatures are typically in the 70s - 80s during the day, cooling off to the 50s - 60s in the evening. The Ngorongoro Crater is over 7,000' high so you can count on the evenings being cool regardless of season.

Gear Checklist
Official Papers
- Valid passport
- Visas
- Airline tickets
- International health card with immunizations

Luggage
- Medium size duffel bag (~4000 cu in.)
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Passport pouch or money belt
- Daypack, ~1500 cu in.

City Clothing
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable casual items for travel and city/lodge wear

Outerwear
- Waterproof, breathable jacket
- Sweater/jacket - synthetic fleece or wool (especially for cool morning game runs and evenings at the Ngorongoro Crater)

Footwear
- Walking shoes with good ankle support (for side hikes/walks and lodge wear)
- Sport sandals

Clothing
- T-shirts, mix of synthetic and cotton
- Synthetic, long-sleeve shirt(s) - think sun protection
- Synthetic, quick-drying shorts (mid-thigh or longer)
- Light weight, breathable, quick-drying pants (zip-off legs are great)
- Socks
- Underwear, quick-drying
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit (some lodges have a pool)

Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat with brim
- Bandanna(s)

Travel Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent with DEET
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer gel / towelettes
- Sun block and lip balm w/high SPF
- Toiletry kit with bio-degradable soap/shampoo, hand lotion,
- Small wash cloth
- Electrical converter and adapter
- Headlamp or flashlight & extra batteries
- Beach towel

Optional Field Gear
- Camera, lenses, and lots of film/memory cards
- Binoculars (highly recommended)
- Motion sickness remedies
- Earplugs and travel pillow
- Alarm clock or watch
- Spare contact lenses or prescription glasses
- Zip lock bags, to protect camera, binoculars from dust
- Favorite kids snacks

Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
- It has become quite common these days for a family to have more than one surname. Maybe a mother has kept her maiden name of perhaps the children are from different unions. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to be able to prove that, yes, these kids are really yours. Even if you are the nuclear family, copies of birth certificates aren't a bad thing to have along if passports are lost or stolen
- Parental permission - If you're traveling with your kids without your spouse, you may need proof that the absent parent has given permission for the child to travel with you. It's simple enough to write up a letter, sign it, have it witnessed and notarized.
- The checked luggage allowance on the internal flight from the Serengeti to Arusha is 33 pounds. Please pack accordingly. Travelers flying home on Day 9 can store extra luggage in Arusha while on safari.
- Casual attire is acceptable for Africa. Neutral, light-colored clothing is best for the safari, to blend into the landscape and not alarm the wildlife. Khaki is always a good color while on safari.
- Be prepared to hand wash your clothes (quick-drying materials are best). Laundry services are available at some lodges for an additional cost.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing.
- If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of irritation from dust in your eyes.
- Many of the roads in Africa are deeply rutted and dusty. It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust. This is in addition to their normal cases. Also bring lens cleaning materials.

Other Parks and Places

Katavi National Park

Gombe Stream National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park

Selous Game Reserve

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Ruaha National Park

Mikumi National Park

Arusha National Park

Tarangire National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Serengeti National Park

Photos