Many of the animals leave the area of the Tarangire
River at the beginning of the short rainy season
(October/November) as water may be found elsewhere in
the park, with less chance of predators homing in for
a meal. The second "migration" occurs at the
beginning of the rainy season in March.
The animals disperse into Maasailand, which covers
about 20,500 sq kms. When the Maasai steppe begins to
dry up, around about beginning of June, the animals
return to the squalors of the Tarangire River. During
all this action, the resident animals of Tarangire,
amongst others, waterbuck, impala, dikdiks, giraffe
and elephant, stay behind at patiently wait for the
rains. Vast herd of elephant can be found in the park
at any time of the year and are a spectacular, yet
sometimes scary sight. The best time to visit the park
is from July to December, when the vegetation is
greener, and there is ample wildlife.
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Certain sections of the park have relentless tsetse
flies which will force you to keep your windows shut,
and during the rainy season, your African encounter
will really materialise when (on the odd occasion)
your vehicle may get stuck in black cotton soil. This
is not something to fret about, as the driver guides
(along with the help of sometimes eager visitors other
drivers) dig the car out.
The best places to stay are generally outside the
park, as there you are able to go on walking safaris
and night game drives, which are a must in any
visitors books. Please see the accommodation guide for
more details on the lodges.
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