Tarangire National Park

The intense heat of the sun depletes the moisture from the surrounding terrain, resulting in a dusty red earth and withered grass that is as brittle as straw. The Tarangire River has significantly reduced in size from its wet season state, yet it remains a vital source of water for the abundant wildlife that inhabits the area.

Herds of up to 300 elephants can be observed scratching the dry river bed in search of underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland congregate around the diminishing lagoons. This concentration of wildlife is the largest outside of the Serengeti ecosystem, providing a diverse range of prey for predators.

Additionally, the Tarangire region is the only place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope, such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk, can be regularly observed.

During the rainy season, the wildlife disperses over a vast range of 20,000 sq km (12,500 sq miles) until the green plains are exhausted, and the river once again becomes the focal point. However, Tarangire’s elephant population can be easily encountered, regardless of the season.

The swamps, which remain green throughout the year, are home to 550 bird species, the highest number of breeding species in any habitat worldwide. On drier ground, visitors can spot the Kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird, the stocking-thighed ostrich, the world’s largest bird, and small groups of ground hornbills that resemble turkeys.

For avid bird enthusiasts, the area is home to screeching flocks of the dazzlingly colourful yellow-collared lovebird, the somewhat drabber rufous-tailed weaver, and the ashy starling, all of which are endemic to the dry savannah of north-central Tanzania.

Disused termite mounds are often occupied by colonies of the endearing dwarf mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet, which draw attention to themselves through their loud, clockwork-like duetting.

Tarangire’s pythons, lions, and leopards are known to climb trees, often lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.