This month-to-month guide of the Tarangire national park is a little bit different from the migration season of the Serengeti National Park. This is because Tarangire national park has different weather patterns, unlike the other national parks of Northern Tanzania. If you are planning to visit the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, it’s important to know the seasonal weather trends and the animal dispersal pattern. During the dry season, which usually starts in July and goes up to October, animals gather along the banks of the Tarangire River as it is the only reliable source of water. However, during the green season, which starts in November and goes up to May, animals disperse across the Tarangire ecosystem and even outside the park. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the animal dispersal pattern during different seasons in the Tarangire area.

During the dry season, animals congregate near the Tarangire River’s banks since it is the only reliable supply of water, however, during the green season, they disperse across the Tarangire ecosystem and even outside the park.
When planning a trip to this area, it is critical to understand the seasonal weather patterns as well as the animal dispersal pattern. Without further ado, let us dive into this month-to-month guide to the Tarangire animal migration pattern deeply.

January-March

Unlike in other parts of Tanzania, the wettest months of Tarangire are January, February, and March, when torrential downpours alternate with a usually clear sky and high sunlight hours.

At this time of year, water sources are abundant and food sources are easily accessible; the animals have already left Tarangire National Park, unless November’s rains failed, forcing the animals to remain near the river.
This is the period of the year when wildebeest, zebra, and the majority of antelope and gazelle calves are expected to be born.
Sightings at Tarangire are more difficult, so head to Manyara Lake National Park instead.

April and May

In April and May, there is still the possibility of heavy rains interspersed with bright skies. The puppies have already been weaned, and wildebeests and zebras may now be found outside of Tarangire National Park, in the Manyara Lake National Park, Natron Lake, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
While buffalos, antelopes, and gazelles are in game-controlled areas and the Masai Steppes to the south and southeast, many cats, including lions and cheetahs, have moved into these areas in search of prey.
Even most of the elephants have departed the park in recent months and are now spread over the North and North-East regions, as well as the South and South-East territories.

June and July

The Tarangire National Park’s resident wildlife comprises a modest number of elephants, waterbucks, impalas, giraffes, and kudus; they are also difficult to observe since they are not obliged to walk down to the river to find water, and foliage is abundant.
Rainfall ceases in June and July, and the dry season begins around the end of May, with the sky frequently hazy and gloomy.
The first animals to return to the park are elands and oryx, followed by elephants, zebras, wildebeests, then predators.

Sightings are made easier when the vegetation begins to shed its leaf, yet the animals do not yet congregate near the river because they may still find some temporary waterholes throughout the park.

August, September, and October

Rainfall nearly ceases in August, September, and October, and the sky is frequently gloomy until the end of August; this is the park’s driest time.
These are the finest months to visit Tarangire National Park since all of the animals have returned, the vegetation is scarce, and all seasonal sources of water have dried up, forcing the animals to congregate along the Tarangire River’s banks to acquire the water they require.

November and December

The brief rain season begins in November and December, and the sky is clear; meadows inside the park are heavily eaten due to the presence of so many herbivores in previous months.

The animals are ready to migrate, but their movements are determined by rainfall frequency and rate; the earlier the rain begins and the heavier it is, the sooner the animals move into other areas of the Tarangire ecosystem; however, if the rain arrives late or is very light, the animals are hesitant to leave the river.

In years of prolonged severe drought, herbivorous animals may be compelled to wander several kilometers away in search of food, returning to the Tarangire River every day to drink.

SEASONAL CHANGES OF THE ANIMAL MIGRATION

Dry Season (June to October) During the dry season, animals congregate along the banks of the Tarangire river, which is the only reliable source of water. Vegetation is scarce, and all seasonal sources of water have dried up, forcing the animals to gather along the river. These months are the best time to visit the park as all animals have returned, and it is easy to spot them. The short-grass plains make it easier to view the game, and the weather is generally pleasant.

Green Season (November to May)

During the green season, animals disperse across the Tarangire ecosystem and even outside the park. Unlike other areas of Tanzania, the most rainy months in Tarangire are January, February, and March, when heavy downpours are frequent. Water sources are available everywhere, and the food sources are easily accessible. During this time, the animals have already moved outside the Tarangire National Park, unless November’s rains failed, forcing the animals to remain in the vicinity of the river. This is the time of year when wildebeest, zebra, and most antelope and gazelle calves are born.

In April and May, there is still the possibility of severe downpours, alternating with a bright sky. The vegetation is abundant, and the animals are scattered, making it difficult to spot them. Sightings are more accessible in the Manyara Lake National Park.

Dry Season (June to October)

The dry season tends to start at the end of May, with the sky often hazy and cloudy. Elands and oryx are the first animals to return to the park, followed by elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and predators. The vegetation starts to drop the foliage, facilitating sightings. However, the animals do not gather at the river yet as they can still find temporary waterholes in the park.

In August, September, and October, rainfalls virtually stop, and the sky is often cloudy until the end of August, making it the driest period in the park. The animals are forced to gather along the banks of the Tarangire river to get the water they need.

Rainy Season (November to May)

In November and December, the short rainfall season begins, and the sky is bright. Pastures inside the park are intensely consumed because of the presence of so many herbivores in the previous months. The animals are ready to migrate, but their movements depend on rainfall frequency and rate. If the rain comes late or is very light, the animals are reluctant to abandon the river.

In years of prolonged severe drought, herbivores might be forced to migrate several kilometers away in search of food in the park and come back every day to the Tarangire River to drink.

TARANGIRE WILDLIFE MOVEMENT PATTERNS FAQs

Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is a fascinating destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a unique ecosystem and a diverse range of resident game. With seasonal changes, the landscape transforms, impacting wildlife behavior and movement patterns. Understanding these seasonal changes is crucial when planning a visit to the Tarangire National Park.

Q1. What is the best time to visit the Tarangire National Park?

A1. The best time to visit the Tarangire National Park is during the dry season, from August to October when all the animals have returned, the vegetation is sparse, and all seasonal sources of water have dried up, forcing the animals to gather along the banks of the Tarangire River.

Q2. Which months are the rainy season in Tarangire?

A2. The most rainy months in Tarangire are January, February, and March, while the short rainfall season begins in November and December.

Q3. Why do animals gather along the banks of the Tarangire River during the dry season?

A3. Animals gather along the banks of the Tarangire River during the dry season because it is the only reliable source of water in the area.

Q4. Which animals can be spotted in the Tarangire National Park during the dry season?

A4. During the dry season, the Tarangire National Park is home to a small number of resident game, including elephants, waterbucks, impalas, giraffes, and kudus. However, sightings can be difficult because these animals are not forced to go down to the river to find water, and the vegetation is abundant.

Q5. What is the animal dispersal pattern in the Tarangire ecosystem during the green season?

A5. During the green season, the animals disperse across the area of the Tarangire ecosystem and even outside the park, as water sources are available everywhere, and food sources are easily accessible. Wildebeest, zebra, and most antelope and gazelle calves should be born during this time. Sightings in the Tarangire can be more difficult, and it is better to move to the Manyara Lake National Park.