Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a special place in the Manyara Region of Tanzania. It is named after the Tarangire River, which flows through the park and gives animals fresh water, especially when it is dry.

The park is about 2,850 km² in size. It has many kinds of land, like granite hills, river valleys, and areas that flood when it rains. You can find many plants there, including Acacia trees, Combretum trees, grasses, and the famous Adansonia trees, also called baobabs.

Many animals live in Tarangire National Park. It is very important for wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season, these animals come here from faraway places. The park is a home for wildlife all year.

Flora and fauna

Tarangire National Park is famous for its many elephants and baobab trees. In the dry season, from June to November, you can see groups of zebra, wildebeest, and cape buffalo. Other animals you might see include waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, eland, Grant's gazelle, vervet monkey, banded mongoose, and olive baboon. Predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger, and African wild dog also live here.

The park has over 550 kinds of birds, perfect for bird lovers. You can also find many termite mounds in the park, and sometimes tiny dwarf mongoose live in the old ones. In 2015, a special white giraffe was seen in the park. Scientists are studying the African bush elephant and Masai giraffe here. Since 2005, the park has helped protect lions.

Location and access

Tarangire National Park is easy to reach. You can drive there on a paved road from Arusha in less than two hours. Lake Manyara National Park is about 70 kilometres (43 miles) from Tarangire.