When is the best time to visit Tarangire national park? – Most safari parks in East Africa can be visited year round and gives you the best experience regardless of the season. Large Eco systems like the Serengeti and Ngorngoro crater offer world-class rain hail or shine. Whereas it is true that most of the Serengeti are better dependent on the movements of the wildebeest migration, the Park is awesome all year round.
Because Tarangire and Lake Manyara National parks are seasonal, if one park is good, chances are high that the other park isn’t going to be worth our visit and time.
Tanzania experience alternating periods of wet and dry, because it is situated as close as it is to the Equator, the seasons doesn’t affect the price of safaris but also which parks are better and worth visiting that the others.
During the wet season (November-December and March-May) the abundance of water means that Lake Manyara is alive with life. While in Tarangire, availability of water means that animals are free to roam far and wide in the forested park. This means bad game-viewing.
In the dry season, ( June-October ) the rapidly depleting water supply forces the park’s animals to move closer and closer to the only reliable water sources, the tarangire River and swamps of the River valleys.
During the dry season, migrating herds of elephants –Tarangire’s most famous attractions rely on the not only as a source of vital sustenance, but also a way to cool off. The famous elephant mud baths are a common sight, as young and adult alike wallow and wade in the cooling mud.
Still during the dry season – Animals from the nearby parks like Lake Manyara migrate to the park, increasing its animal population for the best game viewing. The highest concentration of animals around the water holes makes it easier for predators such as lions and leopards to spot an easy meal – so those waiting to see a kill stand a better chance.
Many travelers ask if tarangire is a park they should skip during the wet season- with the nearby Lake Manyara alive with life and tarangire’s migratory population scattered throughout the Acacia trees – it might seem a wise idea to give tarangire national park a miss; however below we discuss a number of reason to visit Tarangire in the wet season.
If you are looking to avoid the crowds that tend to congregate on Serengeti and in Ngorongoro crater, visiting Tarangire during the wet season can be a wonderfully refreshing experience, expect to see little wildlife but the park is still very much alive with life, non-migratory animals such as lions, baboons and giraffes can still be found.
Tanzania wet season means discounted accommodation across the entire country, with luxury lodges lowering their rates to less than a medium lodge during the peak season. This means that Tarangire accommodation like Sopa Tarangire can be had at much more affordable prices.
With how fickle weather can be, it’s impossible to give exact dates when you should visit Tarangire. Early or late rainy seasons can completely the setting of Entire Park, so it is best to consult Great Adventure safaris closer to your travel dates.
Generally, July through October presents the best game-viewing in Tarangire National park, June and November may also work but this depends heavily on recent weather.