The Tarangire River is one of the major river and attraction found in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park. The majority of North Tanzania’s elephant population finds safety along the river. The park is named for this vital river, which offers wildlife the only source of year-round water. A variety of creatures of various sizes and forms are drawn to the alluring waters throughout the dry season. Numerous elephants, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and gazelles march in long columns to the river’s retreating banks. This concentration of prey attracts predators like lions and leopards like a magnet.
PATH
The Babati District in the Manyara Region and the Kondoa District in the Dodoma Region are where the Tarangire River begins to rise. It is primarily found in the Kondoa District’s Irangi heights and slopes. The Tarangire River flows eastward from the Kondoa slopes, beginning in the Wasi heights. After flowing further east to Cubi, it turns north and flows into Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire River flows through the park before turning south and west to reach Lake Burunge, where it then comes to an end at its river mount.
ECOLOGY
There are Miombo woodland habitat trees and lower plants in large portions of the Tarangire River headwaters in the Irangi Hills headwaters area, which are protected within the Salanka, Bereko, and Isabe Forest Reserves. The Tarangire River’s watershed function and aquifer recharge are being harmed by deforestation for agricultural purposes and forest degradation in the Irangi Hills and along the Irangi Escarpment.
The Tarangire River’s discharge changes yearly and is largely seasonal. Rainfall in the Irangi Hills and across the catchment during the wet season results in a high rate of flow and quick changes in water level. Rainfall mainly falls between November and January and March and May. With a mean total annual rainfall of 656 millimeters (25.8 in) and a coefficient of variation of 36.4% (range: 313–1,322), it is very variable. As water is discharged from sediments, river flow during the dry season is modest (approximately 0.005 cubic meters per second) and gradually diminishes until significant portions of the riverbed are dry.
During the yearly dry season, the Tarangire River serves as the main supply of fresh water for migrating ungulates and other species in the Tarangire Ecosystem.
HIGHLIGHTS
BEST KNOWN FOR
- Huge concentrations of elephants
- Frequent lion hunts are seen along the river.
- The river attracts large game concentrations.
- Top raptor viewing area
The Tarangire River Elephants
SIZE
- 55 miles in length
TOPOGRAPHY
- Riverine Areas, Swamps, Yellow-Barked Fever Tree, Baobab Tree
MAIN SPECIES
- Elephant, Fish Eagle, Leopard, Lion, Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Tawny Eagle, Wildebeest, and Zebra
IN SUMMARY, TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK AND RIVER
Only 43 miles (70 km) southeast of Lake Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania is where the Tarangire National Park is located. The national park is a component of the broader Manyara Region and spans an area of 1,100 square miles (2,850 square kilometers). The national park’s name is derived from the Tarangire River, which runs through it. The river serves as the primary water source for wildlife. During the dry season, this region is traversed by the famous wildebeest and zebra migration known as the Serengeti Great wildebeest Migration.
Tarangire is made up of grasslands, granite rock formations, a verdant river valley along the Tarangire River, marshes, and a variety of Acacia- and Combretum-based forests. The area is covered in baobab trees, which enhance the breathtaking scenery. One of the attractions to the park is the presence of elephants, which is well known. Predator species include the caracal, cheetah, and African wild dog. A honey badger can be found in addition to the coveted lion and leopard. One of Tanzania’s lion conservation units is Tarangire.
Baboons, Cape buffalo, dik-dik, eland, gazelles, giraffes, impalas, mongooses, vervet monkeys, wildebeest, and zebras are just a few of the various animals that may be seen in the park. It is also an excellent location for bird watching, with over 550 species. Termite mounds are typical and found throughout Africa. The area is covered in numerous termite mounds, and the park is well renowned for its contribution to the landscape.
Tanzania’s customary safari route does not include Tarangire. This, however, also means that it is less crowded and that a more genuine African safari experience is provided. The park receives fewer visitors than the Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, in part because the wildlife is more seasonal here.
During the dry season, the Tarangire River attracts a large number of creatures from all walks of life. During the dry seasons, the wildlife of Ngorongoro is in competition with the population and accessibility of the species near the river. Oryx and Gerenuk are two wildlife highlights; however, sightings can be uncommon. Tarangire can be a wildlife haven during the dry season and a bust during the rainy season since the richness of wildlife is cyclical.
