The swamp covers an area of roughly 70 square kilometres and it acts like a loofah. During the rains, water is warehoused here and in the dry season, the swamp slowly releases water into the Tarangire River. The swamp is lush green for the majority of the year and it makes for an incredibly stunning backdrop to the dry land surrounding it.

The swamplands attract hundreds of elephants who come to feed on the opulent grass, but it is not just the elephants that come here. A mix of animals in all shapes and sizes can be present – including cats! It is a great place to see the tree climbing lions of Tarangire, cheetahs as well as leopards. To add to the collection, the swamps are also recognized as an inordinate place to see huge African Rock Pythons.

A successful night game drive, with several good viewings of wildlife, can be very rewarding. Viewing nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, porcupines, genets, civets & bushbabies can be very possible on a standard night game drive if you have good fortune. But in Tarangire, especially around the Silale swamps; you even have chances of seeing African wild cats, serval cats & African wild dogs on-top of the standard night drive fauna.