Masai Mara vs Serengeti: Which Safari Is Better?
Masai Mara or Serengeti? A clear comparison of size, crowds, migration timing, cost and how many days you need, so…
Destination guide
Tarangire National Park: the complete guide
Tarangire is northern Tanzania's elephant park, a landscape of ancient baobab trees, termite mounds and a permanent river that draws wildlife from a huge surrounding area during the dry season. It is quieter than the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, which is part of its appeal. If you love elephants and big trees, it is hard to beat.
Here is what to expect, when to go and how Tarangire fits into a northern Tanzania safari.
2 tours availableLocal team, free quote
Tours featuring Tarangire National Park
01
Why visit Tarangire
The Tarangire River flows all year, and in the dry season, when other water in the region disappears, huge numbers of animals gather along it. Elephant herds of dozens at a time come to drink and bathe, zebra and wildebeest move in from the surrounding plains, and predators follow.
The park is also scenic in its own right. Baobabs, some hundreds of years old, dot the landscape, and the swamps and seasonal lakes in the south attract birds. Tarangire gets fewer vehicles than the better-known parks, so sightings can feel more private.
02
What you can see
Elephants
One of the largest elephant populations in northern Tanzania, with big family herds and old bulls, especially in the dry season.
Lions and leopards
Lions can be found resting in the shade of baobabs, and leopards live along the river.
Plains game
Zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe and eland, with fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk among the drier-country species.
Birds
More than 500 species, including the yellow-collared lovebird and many raptors.
03
Best time to visit
June to October
Peak
Dry season. Wildlife concentrates along the Tarangire River. This is the best time for elephants.
January to February
Good
Short dry spell with green scenery and birds.
March to May
Green/Wet
The long rains. The animals disperse and some roads are wet.
November to December
Good
Short rains turn the park green and bring migratory birds.
04
How to get to Tarangire
By road
About 2 hours from Arusha, usually on a day trip or as part of a northern circuit.
By air
There are airstrips serving lodges inside the park.
Where to stay
Lodges and camps sit along the river and in the surrounding conservation areas.
05
Combining Tarangire with other parks
Tarangire is often combined with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti on a 6 to 8 day northern circuit.
06
Frequently asked questions
Is Tarangire worth visiting?
Yes. It offers elephants, baobabs and good wildlife with fewer vehicles than the Serengeti.
When is the best time to see elephants in Tarangire?
June to October, when the river is the main water source.
How many days do I need?
Two nights is ideal. A day trip is possible but rushed.
Read before you go
Kenya and Tanzania Safari: How to Combine Both in One Trip
Planning a Kenya and Tanzania safari? Learn the best routes, border crossings, flights, visas, timing and how to link the…
Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Better for You?
Kenya or Tanzania for your safari? We compare parks, cost, distances, timing and who each country suits, and explain how…