Tarangire National Park is situated in northern Tanzania between latitudes 3° 40’ and 5° 35’ south and longitudes 35° 45’ and 37° 00’ east. Its name comes from the Tarangire river which rises in in the Kondoa highlands in central Tanzania and makes its way northwards along the axis of the park. The river forms a dry season retreat for large numbers of mammals including a high density of elephant and plains game. And, although long stretches of the river are devoid of surface water, enough pools remain to attract thirsty animals especially during the months from July to November. In the wet season, these animals disperse to large areas outside the park.
Before becoming a national park, Tarangire was formerly a popular hunting area. Today, it is regarded as one of the best wildlife areas remaining in East Africa. The park was established in 1970.
The Tarangire National Park has a large diversity of fauna and birdlife. Over 550 species of birds have been recorded in the park of which several are threatened or endemic. The Acacia savannah habitat is among one of the richest in the world for breeding birds. Animals include: buffalo, eland, elephant, giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, impala, hartebeest, lesser kudu, Thomson’s gazelle, waterbuck, warthog, zebra, wildebeest, lion, hyeana, leopard, cheetah etc. Among the parks in northern Tanzania, Tarangire has the density of elephants, with an estimated population of between 2,300 and 2,700. The park has one of the highest biomass.
Tarangire National Park covers an area of some 2,600sq km and is fifth in size after the Ruaha, Serengeti, Katavi and Mikumi in that descending order.
