Tarangire National Park

🐘 Tarangire National Park – Tanzania

📍 Location

  • Country: Tanzania

  • Region: Manyara Region (Northern Tanzania)

  • Distance from Arusha: ~118 km (2–3 hours by road)

  • Part of: The Northern Safari Circuit, alongside Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara

🌍 Overview

  • Size: ~2,850 km²

  • Established: 1970

  • Named after: The Tarangire River, a lifeline during the dry season

  • Famous for:

    • Massive elephant herds

    • Iconic baobab trees

    • Lesser crowds compared to Serengeti and Ngorongoro

🐾 Wildlife

🐘 Highlights:

  • Elephants: Up to 3,000 in peak dry season – one of the largest populations in Tanzania

  • Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas

  • Buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, eland, impalas

  • Rare species:

    • Fringed-eared oryx

    • Lesser kudu

    • African wild dogs (occasionally seen)

🐦 Birds:

  • Over 550 bird species

  • Famous for migratory species, colorful birds like lilac-breasted rollers, and large flocks of quelea

  • Wetlands attract: herons, storks, ibises, and pelicans

🌿 Landscapes

  • Ancient baobab trees

  • Rolling savannahs, swamps, and woodlands

  • The Tarangire River runs through the park year-round, attracting wildlife especially in the dry season

📆 Best Time to Visit

Season Months What to Expect
Dry Season June – October Best wildlife viewing; animals gather at river
Green Season November – May Fewer tourists, lush scenery, great for birding
Rainy Peak March – May Some roads may be slippery or impassable

🛏️ Where to Stay

🏨 Inside the Park:

  • Luxury: Tarangire Treetops, Lemala Mpingo Ridge

  • Mid-Range: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge

  • Budget: Public campsites, basic lodges

🏕️ Outside the Park (near the gate):

  • Lodges and tented camps in Mto wa Mbu or Karatu

🚗 Getting There

By Road:

  • From Arusha: ~2–3 hours via paved road

  • Commonly visited as part of a Northern Circuit safari

By Air:

  • Kuro Airstrip (inside the park) – charter flights from Arusha, Serengeti, or Zanzibar

💰 Park Entry Fees (as of 2024)

Visitor Type Entry Fee (24 hrs)
Foreign Adult ~$50–70 USD
Foreign Child ~$15–25 USD
Tanzanian Adult ~10,000–15,000 TZS

Check with TANAPA for current fees.

🚙 Safari Activities

  • Game drives (full-day or half-day)

  • Night safaris (available at select lodges – unique to Tarangire!)

  • Walking safaris (with armed rangers – exciting and educational)

  • Birdwatching

  • Cultural visits to nearby Maasai or Datoga villages

🗺️ Suggested Itinerary (for Northern Circuit)

Day 1: Depart Arusha → Game drive in Tarangire
Day 2: Morning safari → Transfer to Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro
Day 3–7: Continue to Serengeti and back

🌟 Why Visit Tarangire?

✅ Less crowded than Serengeti and Ngorongoro
✅ Best dry-season elephant viewing in Tanzania
✅ Unique baobab landscapes
✅ Excellent birding year-round
✅ Night and walking safaris possible (rare in national parks)

Would you like help adding Tarangire to a full safari plan, or choosing between Tarangire and Lake Manyara?