Bird Watching In Tarangire National Park : Tarangire National Park located in the Manyara Region of Tanzania is one of the Great Birding Destinations in Tanzania and is listed among the Important Birding Areas in the country, Tarangire National Park derives its name from Tarangire River that crosses the park and is one of the best birding spots.

Tarangire National Park covers an area of about 2,850 square kilometers and is located in the Northern Region of Tanzania, from Arusha Town the park is approximately 118 kilometers and 70 kilometers to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is also situated in close proximity to Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area which are also found in the Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit.

Tarangire National Park is home to over 500 bird species residing in a range of habitat including swamps around the river and savannah grasslands, the park is home to several dry bird species and is the commonest breeding area for various species.

Tarangire National Park is a perfect Tanzania birding destination if you wish to spot large flocks of vivid yellow – collared lovebird, rufous-tailed weaver to ashy starling and dry savannah bird species. The park is also home to various migratory bird species which arrive in the park from November to April.

Common Bird species in Tarangire National Park

Bird Species in Tarangire

The Common Red-and-yellow barbet

The Locally Common and endemic Ashy starling

The Common White-headed buffalo-weaver

The Common Tawny eagle

The Common African orange-bellied parrot

The Common Speckle-fronted weaver

Birding specials

African grey flycatcher

Ashy starling – endemic to Tanzania

Bare-faced go-away bird

Donaldson-Smith’s nightjar

Great white pelican

Mouse-colored penduline tit

Northern pied babbler – near endemic to Tanzania

Northern white-crowned shrike

Ostrich

Pink-breasted lark

Rufous-tailed weaver – endemic to Tanzania

Slate-coloured boubou

Von der Decken’s hornbill

Vulturine guineafowl

Yellow-collared lovebird

Other birds found in Tarangire National Park include Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Rufous Chatterer, Scaly Chatterer, Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Wattled Starling, Red-winged Starling, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Rüppell’s Glossy Starling, Northern Anteater Chat, Arnott’s Chat, Northern Wheatear, Capped Wheatear, Red-billed Oxpecker, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, African Yellow White-eye, Broad-ringed White-eye, Northern Crombec, Red-faced Crombec, White-tailed Lark, Singing Bush Lark, Red-capped Lark, Olivaceous Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Common Waxbill, Black-faced Waxbill, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Cut-throat Finch, Tree Pipit, Richard’s Pipit, African Pipit, Collared Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird among others

Best Time For Birdwatching in Tarangire National Park

Bird Watching In Tarangire National Park
Bird Watching In Tarangire National Park

The best time of the year to enjoy amazing bird watching experiences in Tarangire National Park is when the migratory bird species arrive in the park from Europe and Northern Africa that is from November to April. In this same period, the resident species begin nesting which makes it east to see birds while in the breeding plumage.

What you Need to Carry For Bird Watching Safari in Tarangire National Park

Right clothing

Right clothing is very crucial during bird watching in Tarangire National Park, you need to wear dull colored clothes such as brown, forest green so that you can blend in perfectly with nature.

Water proof day pack/field bag

To carry your snacks and other essentials such as cameras and binoculars

Hiking boots

Bird watching in Tarangire national park involves hiking through muddy trails that is why you need to have a good pair of hiking boots with rubbers to protect your feet.

Field guidebook

There are several guide books you will need to carry on your birding safari in Tarangire National Park.

Pair of binoculars

To see birds from miles away, you will need a good pair of binoculars to help you see the colorful birds.

Cameras

To capture all the amazing birds and experiences while on bird watching experience in Tarangire.

Charger and cables

To keep your phone, tab, lap top and camera charged as well as batteries.

Water bottle

To keep you hydrated through the experience

Wide – brimmed hat

Tropical sunlight can be really hard during the bird watching experience in Tarangire national park, you will need a wide – brimmed hat to protect you from the scotching sunlight.

Light rain jacket

Due to unpredictable weather, it can rain any time so the rain jacket will protect you for the rain.

Flashlight  

The flashlight is important most especially for night forest birding watching looking for the nocturnal bird species.

Medication

If your immunity system is weak, it is important to carry some vital medicines such immune boosters, tabs for flue, cold, anti , malarial and diarrhea medicine.