Tarangire · Ngorongoro
2 Days Tanzania Budget Safari
- 2 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$500per person
View safariNorthern circuit
Tarangire National Park
Ancient baobabs, a river that never quite dries, and in the dry season more elephants than anywhere else on the northern circuit. Two hours from Arusha, it is the easiest first park.
- Best: Jun–Oct
- 115 safaris
- Park fees in every price
From$255per person
About Tarangire
Why go to Tarangire
Ancient baobabs, a river that never quite dries, and in the dry season more elephants than anywhere else on the northern circuit. Two hours from Arusha, it is the easiest first park.
Tarangire is defined by its river. When the rains stop in June, the surrounding plains dry out and elephants, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and the predators that follow them move in towards the water. By September the river banks can be crowded with elephant families.
The landscape is unlike the Serengeti: rolling hills, swamps and huge baobab trees, some of them centuries old. It is also one of the best parks for birds, especially in the green season when migrants arrive.
Because it is close to Arusha, most of our northern circuit safaris start here. It also works as a day trip.
What you’ll see
Large elephant herds along the Tarangire River (dry season)
Baobab trees and the odd python in their branches
Lions, leopards and cheetahs
Fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk on the drier edges
Hundreds of bird species, especially Nov–Apr
- Best timeJun–Oct, when animals gather at the river
- Time neededA full day, or a night on the way to the crater
- From ArushaAbout 2 hours by road
- SizeAbout 2,850 km²
- Our safaris here115, from $255 pp
- RegionNorthern circuit
More about Tarangire
Highlights
- Elephants: some of the largest herds in Tanzania gather at the Tarangire River in the dry season.
- A smaller migration: herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo move into the park when the surrounding plains dry out.
- Baobabs: huge, ancient baobab trees across the park.
- Predators: lions, leopards and cheetahs.
- Birds: over 550 species, including many migrants in the green season.
- Landscapes: acacia woodland, seasonal swamps and the river valley, with good roads, airstrips and lodges for every budget.
Seasons
When to go
Best Jun–Oct · green and quiet Mar–May. Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
Where it is
Location
Distances, as the crow flies
- Arushaabout 100 km
- Lake Manyaraabout 50 km
- Ngorongoroabout 100 km
- Serengetiabout 210 km
Road distances are longer; driving times are in the facts above.
In pictures
Photo gallery
Lodges and camps
Where to stay
-
Between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater
Suricata Boma Lodge
The lodge we use most: a handy base between Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Lodge
- Outside the park
-
Inside Tarangire National Park
Ang’ata Tarangire Camp
A tented camp near Tarangire, used on our safari with a night game drive.
- Tented camp
- Inside the park
-
Between Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Maramboi Tented Lodge
A tented lodge on the open plains between Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
- Tented lodge
- Outside the park
-
On the Lake Manyara escarpment
Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment Camp
A tented camp near the Lake Manyara escarpment, between Tarangire and the crater.
- Tented camp
- Outside the park
These are the places we use most in this area. See all lodges and camps
Good to know
FAQs
Is Tarangire worth it if we are going to the Serengeti?
Yes. It looks completely different, has far more elephants in the dry season, and breaks up the long drive west.
Can we visit Tarangire in a day?
Yes. The Tarangire Day Trip leaves Arusha early and is back by evening.
Safaris that go here
Visit Tarangire with us
All 115 safarisTarangire · Ngorongoro
2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro, Mid-Range Lodge (shared)
- 2 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
From$650per person
View safariTarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
4-Day Unforgettable Luxury Private Safari
- 4 days
- Luxury lodges
- Private
From$2,198per person
View safariTarangire
1-Day Endless Adventures in Tarangire
- 1 day
- Hotel pick-up
- Joining group
From$255per person
View safariTarangire · Ngorongoro · Materuni
3 Days Tanzania Safari, Waterfalls & Coffee Tour
- 3 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$620per person
View safariTarangire · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara
3 Days Big 5 Safari, Mid-Range Lodge (shared)
- 3 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
From$850per person
View safariTarangire · Ngorongoro · Materuni
3 Days Fly-in & Out: Ngorongoro & Materuni
- 3 days
- Luxury lodges
- Fly-in
From$2,500per person
View safari
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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