Did we have a favorite national park or conservation area on our SkySafari through Tanzania? No, we could never pick a favorite because each was special in its own right. But Tarangire National Park was definitely our favorite for seeing herds of elephants. Sort of off the main safari route most travelers to Tanzania take, Tarangire is famous for its elephant migrations, birding, and quiet, authentic safari atmosphere. Quiet indeed! During our three day stay in the 2850 square kilometer park, there were just 12 vehicles on safari – including ours.
Though the park only has a fraction of the visitors that head to the more popular Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, there are up to 3000 African elephants in the park. Our game viewing began even before our Cessna landed at Kuro Airstrip in the middle of Tarangire National Park. Herds of elephants regularly hangout in the swamp near the airstrip and we flew right over them. We weren’t even there during peak season, yet we regularly saw herds of up to 50 elephants playing in watering holes and coating themselves with mud. In the peak months from July to October, it’s not uncommon to see herds of 300.
Elephants weren’t the only game we saw. Tarangire is also home to 550 bird species, zebras, giraffes, dwarf mongoose, warthogs, water buck, Thompson gazelles, and more. The park is also home to some of the coolest trees we’ve ever seen. Though our photos could never do it justice, take a look at the beauty Tarangire has to offer.
Giraffes are about 14 feet tall, but are excellent at camouflaging themselves to look like trees
Ostriches are the world’s largest bird
Dik-dik are like miniature deer standing only 1 foot tall
This guy is called a blue ball monkey. No, really! They were added to the new species list in 2012.
The blue ball monkey from his front side
A vulture
Every zebra actually has a unique pattern of black and white stripes
One. Two. Three. Four. I declare a trunk war!
A lilac-breasted roller
Oh, hello there!
Impalas
Elephants flap their ears to cool themselves
European roller
Eastern Chanting-Goshawk
Baboons
A herd of elephants
Waterbuck
Jackall
It’s Pumba!
Little bird hitching a ride on the zebra
Dwarf mongoose
Tarangire’s tree climbing cats
African fish eagle
A herd of elephants just being elephants in the wild
Disclosure: Our trip to Tanzania was hosted by SkySafari by Elewana in order for us to bring you this story. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.
Samantha says
Wonderful pictures! A safari is definitely on my bucket list! Wow those balls are so blue haha I wasn’t expecting it to be so bright!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You can’t help but snicker at the blue ball monkeys!
Marlene says
Great pictures. Once in a lifetime adventure. Wish I had been there
Jennifer Dombrowski says
A trip like this probably is a once in a lifetime adventure and we can’t recommend SkySafari enough!
Frank says
Oh wow, they really are stunning photos!
Frank
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Frank! Buying that 100 – 400 lens paid off.
Heather says
These are so amazing! I can only imagine how thrilling it must have been to be physically present with all these gorgeous animals!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Oh my gosh, it really was thrilling Heather! People have asked us if we got bored at all since we were on safari for nearly two full weeks. The answer is not at all! The animals are so fun to watch.
Jessica J. Hill says
Wow, your photos really are quite stunning! I can’t believe you were able to get so many clear close-ups, but they’re fantastic. I really love the tree climbing cat. He looks so snuggly, though I’m sure he’s anything but! I wondered, when I read your intro, if the elephants ever actually cross the runway and cause trouble for landing planes? That would be such a scary collision!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Jessica! We were quite close to many of the animals and used a 100 – 400 lens for those that were further away. We had baboons on the airstrips a few times, but no elephants or larger animals. If they do wander onto the strip, the planes have to wait for them to move to either take off or land.
Lisa says
Wow, your site is amazing Jennifer; Love these shots. It was so nice to meet you guys at the going away party for Charles. I look forward to keeping up with your adventures. Thanks for so many great ideas!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Lisa! It was great meeting you too. Please do keep in touch with us!
Freya says
Amazing photos ! Not sure which one is my favorite they are all stunning.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Freya! I think we took around 1000 photos just in Tarangire in the 3 days we spent there. It was tough narrowing it down to just these 30 and I can’t pick a favorite either.
Jenny says
Fabulous photos. When we went to Tanzania I only had a point and shoot camera. I’d love to go back with a better camera but mostly I’d love to g back just to sit and watch the animals all day. It’s the best holiday!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Yes Jenny! We’re just dying to go back and see more of the wildlife. There’s nothing like it. Everyone should definitely go on safari at least once in their life.
Lori says
Amazing photos – love them!
TJ says
Wow – these pictures look amazing!
Amanda says
I love the first zebra shot. And the lion in the tree! And, of course, the blue ball monkey. How random but cool!!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
So unfortunate for the blue ball monkeys, but hilarious! Everyone seems to love the lion in the tree. Those were the first lions we spotted in the wild, so definitely among my fave lion photos Tim got too.
Jaryd says
Great shots, I’m a little jealous
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Jaryd! It was amazing seeing all these animals in the wild.
Urska says
Great photos! I love the cats in the trees! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Urska! That seems to be the general consensus. The lion in the tree is even appearing on a magazine cover in May, which we’re pretty excited about. 🙂
Urska says
Woow! Congrats!
Anna says
Wow! Stunning pictures! Going on a safari is top of my bucketlist. I can’t even imagine the awestruck feeling you must get seeing these animals in their natural habitat!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It really is incredible, Anna. Hope you make it on safari soon. We think it’s one of the best trips you can ever go on!
Sanjana says
Wonderful pictures! Must have been so great to see all these animals up close in their natural habitats!
Mellie says
Amazing photographs. My friend and I are going this September. I am looking forward to seeing Tagerine National Park. What are the chances that we will see the Blue Ball Monkeys? I would love to take a picture of them. Thank you for sharing your photographs. Tanzania here we come!!
Mellie
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hi Mellie,
We saw the blue ball monkeys pretty often in Tarangire. And from our experience with our guides, they made every effort to ensure we saw as many types of animals as possible. If you tell them you really want to see a blue ball monkey, I’m certain they will do their best to make it happen.
Michele Nel says
Lovely photos indeed. 🙂
But your African fish Eagle is in fact a Marabou Stork . 🙂