Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit that also includes Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Tanzania’s sixth largest park, Tarangire has excellent wildlife densities and great accommodation options.
Tarangire is one of the more seasonal parks in northern Tanzania, with a lot of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem. In the Dry season, between June and October, large herds of animals are attracted to the Tarangire River. At this time, the elephant numbers are spectacular and the park should be part of any safari in northern Tanzania.
Tarangire National Park boasts some of the highest animal densities and most stunning landscapes in Tanzania. Its proximity to Arusha makes it easily accessible, and it’s often combined with the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, completing Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Tarangire is the sixth biggest park in Tanzania at 2,850 km². It takes its name – as well as its game wealth – from the Tarangire River which flows through the park, attracting elephants and many other animals.
Herds of up to 300 elephant can be found, looking for underground streams in the dry riverbeds, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Abandoned termite mounds often house mongoose colonies. All the main predators are present, but because of thick vegetation, not spotted as often as in some of the other parks in northern Tanzania.
Best Time to Visit – Tarangire NP
The middle and the end of the dry season that runs from late June to October is the best time to view wild life in Tarangire National Park. Most of the animals move out of the park during the wet season and viewing animals is at that time less rewarding. In June to October (the dry season), the animals gather around the Tarangire River and this is the best time to go to Tarangire National Park. There is little rainfall during this time of the year hence making it the time with the best weather for game viewing. June to October still marks the high / peak tourist season with so many tourists filling the park. on the other hand, the low tourist season comes in March, April and May when the park is experiencing the wet season characterized y heavy rains, hence the worst weather
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TARANGIRE SEASONS GUIDE
At this time of the year, most of the Tarangire ecosystem is very dry and there is hardly any water so from the surrounding areas, a large number of animals migrate into the park to quench their thirst at the few remaining water sources around the Taragire River. The vegetation thins out and the animals gather around water points like rivers and water holes thus making wildlife easier to view. The weather is very beautiful and sunny during these months. It is however, important to note that, there are a great number of animals at the beginning or end of the dry season and this differs greatly. If it happens and the wet season stops late, it is possible that most of the animals have not moved to the park by June. And if it happens that the short rains come early, then it could be that the animals start to leave by October.
It is very essential to have warm clothes when going on early morning game drives starting from the month of June to August since it is very cold in the early mornings. the days are generally calm with clear skies with average day time temperatures being 26°C (79°F) while the night temperatures normally drop cooling the day’s heat to an average of 14°C (57°F).
Visiting Tarangire in the dry Season
The animals gather around the Tarangire River in large crowds offering easier opportunities for game viewing. Furthermore, since the vegetation is generally dry and thin due to lack of rain, tourists will be able to easily spot the different wildlife.
In addition, the malaria causing female anopheles mosquitoes are less hence the risk of contracting malaria is also much lower. But nonetheless you are advised to always sleep under a mosquito net especially if you are going camping.
This is the peak tourist season and similar to all tourist destinations in the country, a Tarangire National Park Safari is considered to be generally more costly with higher demand on the accommodation facilities.
This season goes on from the month of November till May each year with the average day temperatures are 28°C (82°F) while at night the average temperatures are 16°C (61°F). During this time, the vegetation is stunning and adequate. The rates and prices may be much lower since this is the low season. The wet season is also prime time for bird watching since the migratory birds are present then.
March to May mark the wettest months in Tarangire and it is considerably less rewarding to view the wildlife as compared to during the dry season since most animals move out of the park.
The wet season consist of long rains that begin in March to May and then the short rains that come in November and December. The rains normally fall in the afternoons and it hardly lasts the entire day.
The temperatures do not change much over the year and it does not usually get too hot although the evenings and mornings tend to get too cold.
The Tarangire weather is temperate and enjoyable. Showers usually come about in the afternoon. After the short rains, a dry spell will occur however, its beginning is very unpredictable year after year.
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EXCELLENT Based on 132 reviews Beata O2024-03-07Verified Oserok Trips will guarantee your trip to Tanzania is a magical, once in a lifetime experience! If you have been considering a trip to Tanzania, and are still on the fence, I am here to tell you not to worry and go for it! It is a magical place, not only because of the incredible animal and plant life, or the amazing landscapes, but above all, because of the wonderful and friendly people. The man who will guarantee this trip will be an incredible, once in a lifetime experience, is Alpha and his great team at Oserok Trips. Even if you only have a few hours, Alpha will fill them with activities as best as possible, and if you are on a two-week vacation, your time will be organized in great detail according to your needs and interests. Alpha is a wonderful guide and companion for whatever kind of trip you have envisioned. He will pick you up from the airport, arrange accommodation with local residents, answer your questions, take care of you as best as he can, take care of all your needs, and dispel any concerns. Oserok Trips can also recommend various activities in each area you visit, but beyond that they will also show you the details that could easily go unnoticed by visitor. As I write this, I already want to go back, explore the places I didn’t have enough time to see, and smell grass of the Serengeti again. My husband, daughter and I traveled around Tanzania for two weeks. We spent the first eight days with Alpha and his great team, the next with his wonderful life companion and guide Dominika. We drove through Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area under the care of Alpha, a skilled driver, and a cook who prepared incredible meals for us even in the middle of the wilderness. There was no moment when we did not feel safe, even when a dozen lions were hunting a buffalo a few meters away from us. We joked that even this amazing event was planned by our guides for 4:06 pm on January 23, 2024. Witnessing such a hunt, of course, can never be guaranteed, but with a team like Oserok Trips, their expert eyes will point out every lion's ear in the waist-deep grass. After some time you too will learn to spot whole groups of animals thanks to their experienced eye! Don’t let the fatigue of travel, the dust and mud, and everything that deviates from the routine of your everyday life, dissuade you from taking this trip. Don’t delay (like us) and the rest will be taken care of by Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips. Lucy_Anne_Mel2024-01-24Verified Great local community option for those after an authentic experience Communications prompt and accurate - pay attention to the description to ensure it is for you. I had a fantastic day visiting a Maasai tribal village and surrounds but be aware this is not the sort of tour where you "attend a show" of the lifestyle - you join the tribe members for part of their day which I found really interesting and informative despite the language barrier. Employs local staff and supports the community which for me is a bonus. Wouldn't hesitate to book for a longer tour in the area if I get the chance. Kabi K2023-12-25Verified A nice day to remember Alpha, the manager is very friendly and patient. I had one day for a trip in Arusha with my niece and a small budget and he accommodated my needs. We went to the hotsprings and visited a park that isn't in his offer, but he was able to arrange it. I did not had to take care of anything. In addition, Alpha is.keen to exchange about his rich culture and his full of interesting histories, but he also left us enjoy the activities and understands when you need privacy, I appreciate that. In a nutshell, I really recommend the Oserok trips. Triana H2023-10-15Verified Unforgettable experience! Great experience I highly recommend anyone who would like to enjoy a safari in great company! They made the whole experience for me and my family something we’ll never forget and they became part of the family ???? Ashe naleng’ Thanks a lot, the whole family wishes you all the best Mary M2023-10-05Verified Waterfalls and coffee My dad and I went on the waterfalls and coffee tour with Alpha and the oserok team this summer. The tour was perfect from start to finish, alpha organized everything better than we could have imagined. He picked us up and took us on a beautiful drive up the mountain and explained/ answered questions about the landscape as we went. On the hike we were with Lebahati, he was a wonderful and charming guide. He was able to keep us going at an enjoyable pace and told us many fun y and interesting facts on the way! The lunch after the hike was great too- many different dishes and we had so much fun learning about local kahawa!! I could’t recommend any other company more!! Jan M2023-09-22Verified Absolutely wonderful experiences. Highly recommended! We did the Kilimanjaro, 4 days safari and a coffee plantation tour - all with Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips. We are so lucky that we chose his company (based on recommendation from a friend), as our journeys was absolutely wonderful! On Kilimanjaro, they was so helpful making sure that we reach the summit. The food on the mountain was so delicious thanks to Salim - the chef. The whole crew was perfect - always cheering us up, always smiling. And then the safari - Alpha made sure that we get a solid guide/driver who knows everything there is to know about the animals. Always in a good mood, and he spotted animals that we would definitely miss. We saw so many lions, some of them eating their prey and one time we saw the hunt for zebras! We even saw a family of cheetahs. The safari was one of the best experiences of our lives, I'll definitely come back if I ever have children, so they can see it too. And it'll definitely be with Oserok Trips again. Highly recommended, you won't make a mistake! Nancy G2023-08-26Verified Excellent guide! Nous avons fait deux daytrips avec Alpha : Chemka hotspring et Materuni+Coffee tour. Nous recommandons fortement cette agence locale détenu par un maasai. Nous avons appris énormément sur la culture maasai, les plantes et la vie à Moshi durant ces excursions. Pendant la randonnée pour aller à Materuni, il a pris le temps de nous faire découvrir les différentes plantes sur le chemin. Alpha a été à notre écoute et n’a pas hésité à tout mettre en œuvre pour nous satisfaire. Il nous a fait découvrir la nourriture locale, excellente expérience. La bonne humeur et la zen attitude de Alpha sont tellement contagieuses. Et il est aussi un excellent photographe pour ceux qui aiment les jolies photos pendant les excursions ???? marco c2023-08-10Verified Trek con Alpha, la miglior guida masai di Moshi! Alpha è un’ottima guida, nonché un personaggio simpatico e affabile, ci ha portati alle falde del Kilimanjaro in un trek in famiglia molto interessante fino alla cascata Materuni. Abbiamo mangiato un pranzo delizioso preparato per noi dalle donne di un villaggio Chagga dove abbiamo poi assistito alla cerimonia del caffè, partecipando anche. Giornata divertente, con Alfa che è colto e preparato, lo consigliamo a tutti. Eline E2023-07-22Verified Inoubliable !! C'est la 2éme fois que nous faisons appel à Oserok Alpha a été très convivial et bienveillant avec tous les membres du groupe. Les guides sont disponibles et attentionnés. Nous avons apprécié ce circuit de 2 parcs avec une une nuit au campement Kizumba, tout était impeccable. Belle surprise avec des déjeuners à table tout confort en face du bassin aux hippopotames. Alpha est vraiment précautionneux, il a été très disponible en amont pour la préparation de ce voyage (voyage associatif pour 12 personnes) Rapport qualité prix au top. Kristina D2023-03-16Verified Materuni waterfall and coffe trip we went to Materuni waterfall and on a coffee tour with Alfi as guide☺️ It was a fantastic experience with beautiful nature! Alfi gave us extensive information along the way about the place and the flora. We later got to make coffee with the local population, which was great fun and educational. The day also included a traditional Swahili lunch which was very good???? Really recommend! not a crazy price either!
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