Oliver’s Camp

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife

Tarangire is one of the more recently established wildlife sanctuaries, a 4,160 sq. km National Park which is often overlooked by travellers in their quest to see the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. In the dry season (July to October), the Tarangire River is the main water source in the region and it attracts large concentrations of animals. The nine distinct vegetational zones within the park include savannah, woodland, riverine grasslands and the swamps in the south-eastern section. In the northern section, great baobabs dominate the undulating countryside – very picturesque.

The area supports a wide diversity of animals including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lesser kudu, lion, leopard, wild dog, Grant’s gazelle, wildebeest, Coke’s hartebeest (kongoni), zebra, eland, waterbuck, dik dik and reedbuck. On rocky outcrops, keep a special lookout for rock hyrax and klipspringer. Tarangire is also one of the few places in Tanzania where oryx can be seen. The park has long been associated with the Tanzania Bird Atlas and a phenomenal 550 plus species have been recorded with a good cross-section of species found in the various habitats. Tsetse fly do occur in Tarangire and can be particularly bad during the wetter periods (November to March).

Activities

Game drives by open or closed 4×4 vehicles are the principal activity in Tarangire. Drive in guests will have their own closed vehicle and private guide, whilst fly-in guests would share activities unless a private vehicle is paid for. Guided nature walks and night drives are also available at additional cost, which can be booked in advance or locally when in camp. Seasonal hot air ballooning is also possible at an additional charge.

Seasons

Oliver’s Camp is open from June through to March each year, though game viewing in Tarangire is best from late June to October. Birding is however best from October to March.