Tarangire National Park
Elephant-filled river valleys, giant baobab trees, and classic dry-season game viewing away from the busiest crowds.
About Tarangire National Park
Get a quick feel for Tarangire before you plug it into a short getaway or a longer northern Tanzania safari circuit.
Location
In northern Tanzania, about 2.5–3 hours southwest of Arusha, along the Great North Road.
Best Known For
Huge elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, seasonal migration, and excellent dry-season game viewing.
Ideal Trip Length
2–3 nights, often combined with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, or Serengeti.
Great For
Elephant lovers, photographers, repeat safari-goers, and guests who prefer slightly quieter parks.
Overview
Tarangire is sometimes called Tanzania's hidden gem. During the dry season, animals from a wide area migrate towards the Tarangire River, creating one of the highest concentrations of wildlife outside the Serengeti.
The landscape is dotted with giant baobab trees, open grasslands, rocky hills, and riverine forest along the watercourses. This mix of habitats supports elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, many antelope species, and huge flocks of birds.
Tarangire fits beautifully into a northern circuit with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti – especially for travelers who love varied scenery and prefer to avoid overly crowded parks.
Highlights
- Massive herds of elephants gathering along the Tarangire River in the dry season.
- Photogenic baobab trees and classic golden savannah landscapes.
- Excellent chances to see lions, leopards, and large buffalo herds.
- Rich birdlife, including endemic and seasonal species around swamps and riverbeds.
- Can be combined easily with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti.
Best Time to Visit
- June – October (Dry Season): Peak game viewing as animals concentrate around the river; hot days, cool nights, and classic dry savannah scenery.
- November – March: Green season with fresh grass, more dispersed wildlife, beautiful colors, and great birding.
- April – May: Heavier rains; some lodges close, but when open it's very quiet and lush.
- Overall: Tarangire is at its most dramatic in the dry season, but can work well in many months depending on your route.
Add Tarangire to Your Safari Circuit
Use it as your elephant and baobab highlight, a first stop after Arusha, or a relaxing break between other parks – we’ll fit it neatly into your route.
Recommended Tarangire Itineraries
Pick one of these starting points and we’ll adjust the pace, lodges, and route around Tarangire to match your travel style.
2-Day Tarangire Safari
Ideal if you want to focus on elephants and baobabs in a short amount of time, with one night close to the park.
- Day 1: Morning departure from Arusha to Tarangire. Game drive along the river and among the baobabs. Picnic lunch or hot lunch at the lodge. Sunset game drive (time permitting). Overnight at a camp or lodge near the park.
- Day 2: Morning game drive focusing on elephants, lions, and general plains game. Early lunch and then drive back to Arusha in the afternoon.
Perfect for: Travelers with limited time who still want to experience a “big” park with classic scenery.
WhatsApp for 2-Day Quote
3-Day Tarangire & Lake Manyara Safari (Midrange)
This compact circuit gives you the dry savannah and elephants of Tarangire plus the forests and lakeshore of Lake Manyara.
- Day 1: Drive from Arusha to Tarangire. Afternoon game drive among baobabs and elephant herds. Overnight in or near Tarangire.
- Day 2: Morning game drive in Tarangire, then drive toward Lake Manyara. Optional cultural stop en route. Overnight near Lake Manyara.
- Day 3: Half- or full-day game drive in Lake Manyara, then return to Arusha.
Perfect for: Couples, small groups, and families wanting variety in a short timeframe.
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5-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Luxury Circuit
A high-comfort combination of Tarangire's baobabs and elephants with the intense wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater.
- Day 1: Arrive in Arusha and overnight at a boutique lodge. Safari briefing with your guide.
- Day 2: Drive to Tarangire, afternoon game drive, and overnight at a luxury camp or lodge.
- Day 3: Morning game drive in Tarangire, then continue to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Overnight at a lodge with views over the forests or crater rim.
- Day 4: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive with picnic lunch, then return to your lodge on the rim or in the highlands.
- Day 5: Scenic drive back to Arusha, or connect onward to Serengeti or Zanzibar.
Perfect for: Honeymoons, special occasions, and guests who want a focused, luxury experience without rushing.
WhatsApp for 5-Day QuoteWhy Plan Tarangire With Us
We’re based in Arusha and know exactly when and how to fit Tarangire into your wider itinerary for the best flow and value.
Local Knowledge
We visit Tarangire and the northern parks regularly, so we know which lodges, routes, and timings work best for each style of traveler and season.
Small & Personal
You chat directly with a safari specialist who listens, asks questions, and builds a plan around your real needs – not a copy-paste tour.
Honest Advice
We’ll tell you when to spend more time in Tarangire and when additional nights in Ngorongoro or Serengeti will give you better value from your budget.
What Our Guests Say
Tarangire add-ons and full circuits our travelers already enjoyed.
"We did a short Tarangire trip from Arusha and saw more elephants than we imagined. The baobab landscape was beautiful."
Leah & Daniel M.
Nairobi, Kenya"Our 3-day Tarangire & Manyara safari felt very well planned. The team suggested the order and lodges and it worked perfectly."
Julia & Louis F.
Paris, France"The 5-day Tarangire & Ngorongoro trip was unforgettable. Tarangire surprised us with so much wildlife and hardly any crowds."
Kate & Ryan S.
London, UKReady to Add Tarangire?
Share a few quick details and our Arusha-based team will reply with a custom plan that shows exactly how Tarangire can fit into your dates and budget.