Tarangire

Tarangire National Park is one of the closest National Parks to Arusha and is part of what is referred to as the northern circuit. It is not so busy as the Serengeti so for those looking to avoid the crowds it is a good option. From July until October the park has an excellent concentration of game and particularly good numbers of elephant. Tarangire is often referred to as ‘the land of giants’ due to the giant baobab trees which occur in the park.

While you might expect to see leopard in a tree during your safari in Tanzania, it is less common to see lion up in the branches. However, Tarangire is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Visitors can see all the species that you would see in the Serengeti as well as unusual ones like the elegant long-necked gerenuk. Peak season also sees good numbers of wildebeest and zebra as well as giraffe, buffalo, Thompson’s gazelle, greater and lesser kudu, eland, leopard and cheetah.

Between June and October in Tanzania’s dry season, the wildlife gathers along the Tarangire River, creating some of the best game viewing in East Africa.