Tarangire National Park
Tarangire lies south of the large open grassy plains of southern Masailand and is one of the most unexplored places in the northern part of the country.
At your service here are beautiful panoramas of wide savannahs dotted with acacias and large baobab trees. The density of wild animals here is very high, second only to the Ngorongoro Crater.
It is a year-round park with distinct seasons, from dusty, dry and scorching weather when animals congregate around the rapidly drying river, to a fertile green season full of newborn animals and chirping birds. The only months to be avoided are the heavy rains in April and May.
Tarangire during the dry season is home to many migratory animals (elephants, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, eland and buffalo) that spend many months outside the park in the traditional grazing corridors that link Tarangire with other protected areas.
ANIMALS AND BIRDS
Elephants in Tarangire can be seen in herds of up to 600, along with wildebeest, zebra, eland, kongoni, buffalo and oryx that migrate from the dry Masai steppes to the shimmering Tarangire River in search of water during the dry season.
The river may decrease in size, but there is always some water in it for these animals, which gather in huge numbers along its banks. Predators never go hungry here. Pythons, although they are not often seen here, climb trees, but like other snakes, they try to avoid contact with people.
The period from November to February is a time of abundance, with luscious green shoots appearing just in time for the birth of baby wildebeests and zebras. By March, everything becomes lush and thick, wildflowers and colorful butterflies appear everywhere. There are also an incredible variety of birds, more than 550 species have been recorded.
Some of the largest Serengeti buffalo herds are found in the pristine forests of the north, and elephants are also abundant in the area. For excellent year-round animal watching, the Seronera Valley in the center of the park is ideal, with its abundance of pastures and a large number of animals, including giraffes, warthogs, redunks and many other species that feed on leopards and large lion prides.
To the south is the salt lake Ndutu, which attracts masses of flamingos, and to the west is the Grumeti River, which is home to the largest crocodiles you will ever see.
SEASONS
For most of the year temperatures remain constant, hovering between 21-27°C, but in June, July and August the nights and early mornings become chilly.
Dry season: The period from June to September is the best time to observe the animals, as they gather in thousands near the Tarangire River. In addition, the dry months are usually January and February.
Rainy season: short rains occur in November and December, and long – from March to May. April and May have the highest rainfall and are not the best time to visit as many camps are closed.
FEATURES OF TARANGIRE
- Thousands of animals that flock to the Tarangire River
- Over 550 bird species
- Pythons climbing trees
- Strategically located high-end safari lodges
DATA
The park covers an area of 2600 km².
It is located 118 km southwest of Arusha, in the northern part of Tanzania.
Tarangire has been functioning as a national park since 1970.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s most hidden amazing mysteries! Its former inaccessibility means that the park has remained unchanged for centuries and offers the kind of wild safari that ancient travelers saw.
Fringed to the east by the Greater Ruaha River and to the west by the Mzombe River, visitors are amazed by its beauty and the vast expanse of wilderness that stretches down to the misty blue hills of the southern highlands. The landscapes here are very diverse, with wild fig trees, sparse baobab forests and gorges of sparkling orange sandstone. There are deep reaches in the rivers, where crocodiles and hippos live.
Chief Mkwawa of the Hehe tribe used the rocky outcrops of Ruahi as a refuge when German troops searched for him in 1895 for the murder of a German captain. In the end, they found him in a cave, weakened by malaria, but instead of surrendering, he first shot at his faithful bodyguard, and then at himself.
BIRDS AND ANIMALS The
Ruaha is a permanent hunting ground for lions, jackals, hyenas and the rare hyena-like dogs, which have an unusual motley coloration. They prey on zebras and numerous antelopes, including the stunning horse and black antelope, as well as the greater and lesser kudu. In addition, thousands of elephants and buffaloes live in the park.
Eurasian migratory birds flock to Ruahu twice a year (March/April and October/November) to join the already large number of resident species such as kingfishers, hornbills, great egrets, shimmering sunbirds and plovers.
SEASONS
Dry Season: The period from mid-May to December is the best time to watch predators and large mammals, as the vegetation wilts due to the lack of rain, and it accumulates along rare watercourses.
Rainy season: The period from January to April is great for bird watching and lush landscape, but many roads become impassable after heavy rains.
FEATURES OF THE RUAHI
- migrating birds
- Large antelopes of various species
- Day walks and hikes through the pristine bush
- Good chances of seeing a stunningly colored wild dog
DATA
Ruaha National Park covers an area of 10,300 km² in the central/southern highlands of Tanzania.
This is the second largest park in the country, established in 1964.
Ruaha is a 1.5 hour flight from Dar es Salaam, or a 10 hour drive.
This is a malaria zone.
