Exploring Tarangire National Park Tanzania On Your Next Safari Trip

By Author: Explorer Kenya Safaris
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East Africa is indeed home to some of the world's finest safari parks and offers a blend of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania and Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, both endowed with great wildlife, scenery, and memorable moments in nature. Though they share the same spirit of safari, each park has a particular character, setting it apart from the others.

Lake Nakuru National Park, situated in the Rift Valley of Kenya and some 160 kilometers from Nairobi, is world-renowned for its birdlife, with flamingos giving the lake its pink coloration during the peak season. Along with the unpredictable waterscape, thousands of birds gracing the shore of the lake is a sight to behold.

Shallow lake, with wooded hills and grassland merging with rocky cliffs, draws many animals into this mixed habitat. Waterbuck can be seen grazing at the shore, baboons are roaming the grounds, while giraffes find their way across the plains with elegance.

Lake Nakuru is also a haven for endangered species. Here the black and white rhinos are safeguarded, probably making it one of the finest spots to view them in all of Kenya. Lions ...
... lounge in the shade or go up trees for a better vantage. Leopards are hidden in the acacia forests, often to be seen only by the lucky few.

Compared to the other parks in Kenya, the park is quite small, but this would more so facilitate wildlife viewing. Roads are sited sparsely, which means that a traveler can cover much area in no time. Keeping in mind the fact that most safaris begin from Nairobi, a trip through Nakuru becomes ideal before going to larger parks, like the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.

Besides the wildlife, the park has beautiful scenery. A breathtaking view of the lake and wide shots that would make great photographs are found at Baboon Cliff. Water and forest and open plains give a sense of diversity to Nakuru, despite its smallness.

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Just across the international boundary in Tanzania is TP about two hours from Arusha. Its international fame is attached to huge elephant herds that can often be seen moving from one location to another in groups of dozens. It is a lifetime experience viewing them march through the savannah.

The park is named after the Tarangire River, which brings life in the dry season. When all other areas dry up, animals flock to the river in scores. Hence, the park is best for game driving-from June to October.

Tarangire is also famed for its iconic baobabs. Their massive trunks and branches provide this park with a unique ambience especially stark viewed against golden sunsets. They have endured the witness to centuries of change in what is now Tarangire National Park Tanzania.

The wildlife here comes as so varied and numerous. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas can be seen with the elephants. The park nurtures huge herds of zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes. Other feathered friends numbering over 500 species have been documented, such as the lovely parrots, huge flightless ostriches, and soaring raptors.

Compared to the increasingly crowded Serengeti, Tarangire is slightly less busy. The safaris tend to be very private with fewer vehicles around sighting. Here, the pace is slow so you can soak and be at one with the savannah land.

Two Parks in Comparison

Both Lake Nakuru and Tarangire give wonderful safari experiences, but not in the same way. Nakuru is a small, easily accessible place for a short holiday. It is perfect for seeing both its rhinos and its flamingoes during one day's safari. Tarangire is bigger and better suited to long stays with elephants, baobabs, and classic savannah.

Travelers can enjoy the contrast between Nakuru's flamingos and rhinos, and Tarangire's large herds of elephants roaming vast open plains. In just a few days of travel, both parks capture the diversity that East Africa has to offer.

Planning a Visit

Plan to spend at least one full day at Lake Nakuru National Park, as the drive from Nairobi takes about three hours, therefore feasible for a day trip, but overnight stays give preferable time. For Tarangire, have a minimum visit of two to three days. The size of the park makes animals spread far apart depending on the season. Dry season safaris are the best, but this place remains beautiful and not crowded even during the rain season.

Both parks fit well into larger safari circuits. Nakuru often goes together with Maasai Mara, whereas Tarangire hooks up with Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. These combinations allow travelers to witness a wide diversity of wildlife and landscapes.

Final Thoughts:

Lake Nakuru National Park and Tarangire National Park Tanzania exemplify the richness of East African safaris. From flamingos to elephants and rhinos to baobabs, they offer travelers experiences that will stay in their hearts forever. A visit to either park is worthwhile, but both parks combined present a fuller tapestry of Africa's wild beauty.