Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania,has an area of about 2,800km2. The park is named for the Tarangiri River, the only source of water for the area’s animals during the dry season, which causes thousands of animals to migrate to the park from nearby wildlife areas.
The park is most famous for large numbers of elephants that can be found in herds of up to 300. Gnarled baobab trees and termite mounds dot the area, making striking shapes against the dry read earth. The lions and leopards in the area are particularly known for climbing trees, as are the pythons. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here, included the yellow-collared lovebird, the rufous-tailed weaver and the ashy starling, all of which are endemic to north-central Tanzania. The swamps in the area are home to the largest selection of breeding birds in the world.
The Kondoa Irangi rock paintings, in a collection of caves not far from the park, have been dated to about 1,500 years ago. The caves, carved into the hillside, are estimated to contain up to 450 rock art sites. Depicting elongated people, local animals and scenes of hunting, the paintings give an insight into the lives of people who once lived in the area.
Activities in Tarangiri National Park include game drives, guided game walks, cultural visits to nearby Maasai and Barabaig villages and visits to the ancient rock art sites.
