Tarangire National Park

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🐘 Elephants Among the Baobabs
🌍 #11 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #8 in Africa #9 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Tanzania 1236 spp. recorded

Tarangire National Park sits in northern Tanzania and protects a tropical savanna of rolling grasslands, scattered baobab trees and a riverine strip of forest along the Tarangire River. The habitat supports large herds of African Bush Elephants that frequent the river, flocks of Superb Starlings in the acacia canopy, and Lilac‑breasted Rollers that swoop over the open plains.

-4.021° S   36.036° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Likely
Superb Starling ★
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely
Nile Monitor ★
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

80–90% · Very likely
Ashy Starling
LC

Ashy Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis unicolor

70–80% · Very likely
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dinemellia dinemelli

70–80% · Very likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
LC

Northern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus erythrorhynchus

70–80% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

70–80% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-collared Lovebird
LC Endemic

Yellow-collared Lovebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Agapornis personatus

60–70% · Likely
Northern White-crowned Shrike
LC

Northern White-crowned Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eurocephalus ruppelli

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Magpie Shrike

Magpie Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Urolestes melanoleucus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

70–80% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

70–80% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

60–70% · Likely
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

50–60% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Common Dwarf Mongoose
LC

Common Dwarf Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Helogale parvula

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax
LC

Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Heterohyrax brucei

40–50% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Superb Starling ★
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

80–90% · Very likely
Ashy Starling
LC

Ashy Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis unicolor

70–80% · Very likely
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
LC

White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dinemellia dinemelli

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
LC

Northern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus erythrorhynchus

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

70–80% · Very likely
Yellow-collared Lovebird
LC Endemic

Yellow-collared Lovebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Agapornis personatus

60–70% · Likely
Northern White-crowned Shrike
LC

Northern White-crowned Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eurocephalus ruppelli

60–70% · Likely
Magpie Shrike

Magpie Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Urolestes melanoleucus

60–70% · Likely
Von der Decken's Hornbill
LC

Von der Decken's Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus deckeni

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-necked Francolin
LC

Yellow-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis leucoscepus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Nile Monitor ★
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

40–50% · Likely
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

20–30% · Possible
Sudan Plated Lizard
LC

Sudan Plated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Broadleysaurus major

10–20% · With luck
Red-lipped Snake
LC

Red-lipped Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

10–20% · With luck
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
Crevice Tortoise
CR

Crevice Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Malacochersus tornieri

10–20% · With luck
Southern African Python
LC

Southern African Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python natalensis

10–20% · With luck
African Rock Python
NT

African Rock Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python sebae

10–20% · With luck
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

5–10% · With luck
Sudan Mabuya
LC

Sudan Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis brevicollis

5–10% · With luck
Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

5–10% · With luck
Tree skink
LC

Tree skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis planifrons

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog
LC

Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis petersii

Insufficient data
Kenya Banana Frog
LC

Kenya Banana Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Afrixalus septentrionalis

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Delicate Spiny Reed Frog
LC

Delicate Spiny Reed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Afrixalus delicatus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Four-striped Tree-folding Frog
LC

Four-striped Tree-folding Frog

Amphibian

Afrixalus quadrivittatus

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Schilluk ridged frog
LC

Schilluk ridged frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ptychadena schillukorum

Insufficient data
Natal Puddle Frog
LC

Natal Puddle Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus natalensis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Great Elephant Migration

JunJulAugSepOctNov

Tarangire's elephant herds congregate around the Tarangire River, creating one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife spectacles as they rely on the last remaining water sources during the dry season.

African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
🐦

Baobab Tree Wildlife Haven

MarAprMayNov

The park's ancient baobab trees provide critical nesting sites and shade, attracting diverse wildlife including birds, mammals, and reptiles seeking refuge from the heat.

Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely
East African Giraffe

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Likely
🐦

Birding Spectacle: Starling Swarms

MarAprMay

During the wet season, Superb Starlings and other birds form massive, swirling flocks, creating a breathtaking avian display against the baobab backdrop.

Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

80–90% · Very likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

80–90% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
African Bush Elephant
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
East African Giraffe
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
Superb Starling
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
Nile Monitor
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
20–30
40–50
50–60
20–30
Lilac-breasted Roller
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
Ashy Starling
70–80
70–80
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
Vervet Monkey
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Impala
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
Cape Turtle Dove
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
Waterbuck
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
30–40
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Yellow-collared Lovebird
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
Northern White-crowned Shrike
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
Common Warthog
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Magpie Shrike
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Great Elephant Migration
🐦 Baobab Tree Wildlife Haven
🐦 Birding Spectacle: Starling Swarms

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Elephants Among the Baobabs

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
829
🐒 Mammals
221
🦎 Reptiles
143
🐸 Amphibians
43
1236 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
41 Threatened 5 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
74%
📊
Coverage (270 species at ≥5% of 1236 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (7 bird, 5 mammal)
46% Global avg
65%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
220
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
42
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
51

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Tarangire National Park?

The most likely sightings are Superb Starling (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Lilac-breasted Roller (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Ashy Starling (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1236 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park for wildlife?

March has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Tarangire National Park?

Yes — about 77% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Tarangire National Park, based on 253 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see East African Giraffe in Tarangire National Park?

Yes — about 70% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Tarangire National Park, based on 185 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Superb Starling in Tarangire National Park?

Yes — about 83% of wildlife watchers report a Superb Starling sighting in Tarangire National Park, based on 1,085 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Nile Monitor in Tarangire National Park?

Yes — about 44% of wildlife watchers report a Nile Monitor sighting in Tarangire National Park, based on 65 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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