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
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 I 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.
