The Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania.  The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park.  The Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for the wild animals during the annual dry season. 

The park is famous for its high density of elephants and baobab trees.  Herds of up to 300 elephants can be seen during the dry season scratching the dry riverbed for water in the underground streams. The most common animals that can be seen in the park include, zebra, wildebeest, lions, leopard, waterbuck, giraffe, elephant, gazelle, impala, gerenuk, the lesser kudu, and the fringe-eared oryx.

Home to more than 550 species of birds, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts.  On the dryer ground you find the Kori bustard, ostrich and small parties of ground hornbills.  More passionate bird lovers might keep their eyes open for the dazzling and colorful yellow-collared lovebird, the rufous-tailed weavers, or the starlings.  The park is also famous or the termite mounds that dot the landscape.  Those that have been abandoned are often home to the dwarf mongoose and pairs of red and yellow barbet birds.