Tarangire River
The park’s lifeline, lined with elephant trails, big trees and predators waiting at the drinking spots.
Land of Giants
Tarangire
Home to massive elephant herds and iconic ancient baobab trees, Tarangire offers a rugged, authentic wilderness experience particularly stunning during the dry season.
- Type
- National Park
- Region
- Northern Tanzania
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Known for
- Large elephant herds, Ancient baobab trees
Overview
About Tarangire
It is a quiet, less-crowded alternative to the Serengeti, famous for having one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania and striking landscapes dominated by centuries-old baobab trees.
Tarangire is the park of elephants and baobabs. In the dry season the Tarangire River is the only reliable water for miles, and wildlife streams in from the surrounding Maasai Steppe: elephant herds of several hundred, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and the predators that follow them.
Its landscape is unlike the rest of the north: rolling hills of acacia and combretum woodland, swamps such as Silale, and giant baobabs, some of them many centuries old.
Tarangire sees fewer vehicles than the Serengeti or the crater, especially in its southern half, and the private concessions on its borders allow walking safaris and night drives.
Known for
- Large elephant herds
- Ancient baobab trees
- The Tarangire River
- Over 500 bird species
At a glance
- Type
- National Park
- Region
- Northern Tanzania
- Size
- About 2,850 km²
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- By road
- About 2 hours from Arusha (roughly 120 km) on a good tarmac road, which makes it the classic first stop of a northern safari.
- By air
- Light aircraft use the Kuro airstrip inside the park.
Inside the park
Areas of Tarangire
Where you stay and explore shapes what you see. These are the main areas we plan around.
Silale Swamp
A large wetland in the south that stays green through the dry season, good for elephants, buffalo and lions.
The southern park
Quiet, rarely visited woodland and swamps for travellers who want space to themselves.
Border concessions
Community wildlife areas and private land outside the park where walks and night drives are permitted.
Wildlife
What you can see in Tarangire
Some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, plus fringe-eared oryx, lesser kudu and gerenuk rarely seen elsewhere in the north.
Big game
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- African wild dog (rare)
Specials
- Fringe-eared oryx
- Lesser kudu
- Gerenuk
- Eland
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Wildebeest
Birds
- Over 500 species
- Yellow-collared lovebird
- Ashy starling
- Kori bustard
- Southern ground hornbill
When to go
The best time to visit Tarangire
July to October. During the dry season, wildlife from the surrounding ecosystem converges on the Tarangire River, creating spectacular aggregations.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarGood
- AprQuieter / wet
- MayQuieter / wet
- JunPeak
- JulPeak
- AugPeak
- SepPeak
- OctPeak
- NovGood
- DecGood
Dry season
Wildlife concentrates along the river, with peak elephant numbers from about August to October.
Green season
Animals disperse onto the surrounding plains, the park turns green and birdlife peaks with migrant species.
Getting there
Travel and access
About 2 hours from Arusha (roughly 120 km) on a good tarmac road, which makes it the classic first stop of a northern safari.
Light aircraft use the Kuro airstrip inside the park.
Things to do
Activities
- Game drives along the Tarangire River
- Walking safaris in border concessions
- Night drives (outside the national park)
- Birdwatching
- Sundowners beneath the baobabs
Where to stay
Camps and lodges
We match each stay to your budget and the season, from classic tented camps to luxury lodges.
Riverside tented camps
Camps overlooking the river, where elephants often walk past.
Concession camps
Small camps just outside the park offering walks and night drives.
A day here
Game drives here have a prehistoric feel as you navigate between colossal baobab trunks. You’ll spend time observing complex elephant herd dynamics and scanning the branches of sausage trees for pythons and lions.
Our travel tips
- Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in wooded areas. Wear light, neutral colours and avoid dark blue and black.
- Allow a full day here rather than a quick stop; the south of the park is worth the drive.
- Tarangire works well as the first night of a safari straight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport.
Itineraries
Safaris that visit Tarangire
Each one is a starting point we tailor to your dates, pace and budget.
Short Escape2-Day Tarangire Safari
A short but immersive escape into Tarangire’s elephant-filled landscapes and ancient baobab forests.
2 Days / 1 Night · View itinerary →
Balanced Circuit4-Day Classic Northern Safari
A compact but rich safari through Tanzania’s most iconic parks.
4 Days / 3 Nights · View itinerary →
Classic Safari Circuit5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
A well-balanced introduction to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
5 Days / 4 Nights · View itinerary →
Explorer Circuit6-Day Northern Circuit Safari
A deeper journey through Tanzania’s diverse northern ecosystems.
6 Days / 5 Nights · View itinerary →
Complete Safari7-Day Classic Northern Circuit
A complete safari journey through Tanzania’s most iconic northern parks.
7 Days / 6 Nights · View itinerary →
Extended Safari9-Day Grand Northern Safari
A deep and slow exploration of northern Tanzania ecosystems.
9 Days / 8 Nights · View itinerary →The Photographic Journal
The Spirit of Tarangire.
Questions
Tarangire: frequently asked questions
Tarangire questions
Combine with
Pairs well with Tarangire
Plan your Tarangire safari
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