Tarangire National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania in the Manyara region, it is the 6th largest national park of Tanzania covering an area space of approximately 2,600 square kilometers drained by the river Tarangire after which the national park is named. It comprises many baobab trees, acacia woodlands, and savannah plains, these act as home to wildlife species that call this home, it is one of the top most visited places in Tanzania. The fame of the park is the many baobab trees and large herds of African elephants these are mostly seen along the banks of the river Tarangire.
Tarangire National Park can be visited all year round but is best during the dry season, northern Tanzania receives 2 seasons of dryness, one run from the period of January- to December and February, this is the shorter season while the other lasts from June, July, August, September and early October, there is little or no rainfall during this time, the trails of the national park are easier to access and less slippery, the grasses are thinner which makes it easy to spot wildlife, most water points of the conservation area are seasonal and dry up this gives animals no choice but to gather around specific points, and there are low levels of Malaria as breeding points are destroyed during the dry season, only the river Tarangire remains with water hence many animals gather at the water body to drink and have fresh pastures. It is along this trail that most game drives take place.
The best time to visit Tarangire is a great time to do Tourism activities which include game drives these are conducted through the well-distributed trails of the national park, they are best done when the trails of the forest are much drier and easier to access, through the thin grasses there are several animal species including lions, buffaloes, elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, waterbucks to mention a few, the park boasts the most rewarding views of wildlife and vegetation types on guided nature walks.
During the wet season on the other hand is also possible to reach out to the national park, it is the most recommended time to go birding, the national park is lush green with high grasses which makes it difficult to view wildlife, expect more rainfall in the months of November, May,April, and May. Despite the wet season being difficult, It comes with its positives, for example, it is the time when accommodation facilities offer discounts, for travellers on a budget, you may want to consider moving during this time.
Tarangire National Park is located a few kilometres from Arusha town, it is approximately 3 hour’s driveto the conservation area, trips can be combined with other ecosystems of the northern circuit, for example, the Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara national park along the floor of the great rift Valley and the Ngorongoro crater.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Tarangire National Park is any time of the year, there are available accommodation facilities ranging from the best budget to Luxury.