Tarangire National Park
Tanzania

My first safari: an unforgettable experience at Tarangire National Park

After eight hours of intercontinental flight (From Malpensa to Zanzibar) and an hour of domestic flight (From Zanzibar to Arusha), we finally arrived in Tanzania.
Our guide Allen Solly, an expert guide and an incredible person, greeted us with a smile and provided us with some information about Tanzania, the parks we would visit in the following days, and the animals that inhabit them.
Thanks to Allen’s stories, the excitement was sky-high. Finally, after years of wildlife parks and small protected oases, a unique experience awaited us: our first safari.
The destination was Tarangire National Park, a protected area of approximately 2,850 km² located in the north of the country, famous for its rich fauna and breathtaking landscapes.

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Arrival at the park and the encounter with wild nature

As soon as I stepped through the park gates, I felt catapulted into a new world. Nature was lush, the air smelled of earth and grass, and the silence was broken only by the singing of birds and the rustling of wind through the leaves.
After completing the park entry formalities, we boarded our off-road vehicle, raised the roof, and set off on our adventure. (Safari off-road vehicles are all equipped with a liftable roof to allow travelers to see or photograph animals without the risk of missing anything.)

A paradisiacal panorama

After a few minutes of travel, the panorama opened before our eyes in all its beauty.
A vast green plain, dotted with acacia and baobab trees, stretched as far as the eye could see. In the distance, the mountain peaks stood out, shrouded in a light haze.
Allen explained that Tarangire National Park is famous for its high concentration of elephants, especially during the dry season, when these animals gather in large numbers along the Tarangire River, the area’s only water source.

The excitement of the first sighting

As we admired the landscape, Allen suddenly braked sharply. “Look over there!” he exclaimed, pointing to a distant spot. We followed his direction and saw a group of elephants. They were huge, majestic, and seeing them so close, in their natural habitat, was an indescribable emotion. They didn’t seem at all frightened by our presence, which made us even more at ease.

Remarkable encounters

After the elephants, we also spotted other animals: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, buffalo, and many species of birds. Each encounter was a new emotion, a unique experience.
Allen provided us with a lot of information about the animals, their behavior, their habits. He explained how to recognize them, how to distinguish them, how to respect their space.
Guides, in addition to being important for their experience of the places where animals can be spotted, are a great source of information about their habits and characteristics.

The enchantment of the sunset

Towards evening, as the sun began to set (we’re near the equator and sunsets are much faster), we reached a panoramic viewpoint. From there, you could admire the park in all its magnificence. The sky was tinged with warm colors, from yellow to orange to red, and nature prepared for its night’s rest.
It was a magical moment, an emotion I will always carry in my heart.

Arriving at the Lodge

After sunset, we went to our Lodge, the Tarangire Sopa, a structure perfectly integrated into the park, where a sweet welcome aperitif and then a delicious dinner awaited us. During dinner, we shared our emotions and stories.
We were thrilled and happy to have had such an extraordinary experience.
I cannot fail to mention the hospitality of the Tanzanian people. Exceptional people with whom you can share your heart.
Asante Sana!

It's life-changing

My first safari at Tarangire National Park was a life-changing experience. It made me discover a new world, a wild world, a wonderful world. It made me understand the importance of protecting nature, respecting animals, preserving this planet for future generations.
I hope to return to Tanzania soon, to experience new adventures, to discover new corners of paradise.

Useful tips for those visiting Tarangire National Park

Best time to visit: The dry season (from June to October) is the best time to visit the park, as animals concentrate along the Tarangire River and are easier to spot.
We visited during the first days of November and, listening to Allen’s indications, it seems that the small rainy season that runs from November to December is increasingly shortening due to climate change.
Clothing: It is advisable to wear comfortable and light clothing, in neutral colors (beige, green, brown), a hat, sunglasses and trekking shoes.
Equipment: Bring a camera with a good zoom telephoto lens (a 70-300 or a 100-400), a second camera with a wide-angle lens (there is always a lot of dust and therefore it is better not to change lenses) or a smartphone, binoculars, a water bottle (although guides usually always have water reserves for the travelers they accompany), sunscreen and mosquito repellent (I recommend Jungle Formula FORTE – We found very few mosquitoes, but you still need to prevent bites because the risk of malaria is always lurking).
Respect the environment: Do not leave waste in the park, do not disturb the animals, always follow the guide’s instructions.