DestinationsSafari destination · Tarangire Ecosystem
Tarangire National Park
Famous for its vast herds of elephants and iconic, ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape.
- Drive from Arusha
- 2 Hours
- Recommended nights
- 2 nights
- Best months
- Year-round
- Airstrip
- Fly-in possible
About
About Tarangire National Park.
Famous for its vast herds of elephants and iconic, ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a lifeline, drawing thousands of migratory zebra, wildebeest, and predators. A spectacular contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti, offering incredible birding, walking safaris, and night drives.
When to go
Best time to visit Tarangire National Park.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: best
- April: best
- May: best
- June: best
- July: best
- August: best
- September: best
- October: best
- November: best
- December: best
Tarangire is at its most spectacular in the dry season from June to October. As the land dries out, large herds of elephant and other game gather along the Tarangire River, and the park holds some of the greatest elephant concentrations in northern Tanzania. This is the window we most often recommend.
The green season from November to May is quieter and beautiful, with excellent birding and newborn game, though wildlife disperses more widely as water becomes plentiful across the landscape. Tarangire pairs naturally with Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro at the start of a Northern Circuit safari.
Gallery
A closer look.
On the map
Tarangire National Park and its neighbours.
3.950° S, 36.000° E
Government fees
Fees at Tarangire National Park.
Pass-through to the Tanzanian government, paid directly to the authority on top of accommodation. We always itemise every line on our quotes. TDL applies on top at 1% of net room rate.
| Fee | Amount | Peak | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Concession Fee | $47.20 | No peak rate | Per person / night |
| Adult Entry Fee | $53.10 | $59.00 | Per person / day |
| Child Concession Fee | $11.80 | No peak rate | Per person / night |
| Child Entry Fee | $17.70 | No peak rate | Per person / day |
| TDL (Tanzania Development Levy) | 1% of room | No peak rate | Per room / night |
| Vehicle Fee | $16.16 | No peak rate | Per vehicle / day (24-hour permit) |
Getting there
Drive times to other destinations.
Approximate dry-season drive times in a private 4×4. Legs marked as productive game viewing are themselves part of the safari experience. Long legs that need an overnight midway, or transfers we always fly, are flagged in the note column.
| Destination | Drive time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Manyara National Park | 1 hr 30 min | Transit drive |
| Karatu | 2 hr 30 min | Transit drive |
| Arusha City | 3 hrs | Transit drive |
| Ngorongoro Crater | 3 hrs | Game-viewing drive |
| Ndutu Plains | 5 hrs | Game-viewing drive |
| Seronera Central Serengeti | 7 hrs | Game-viewing drive |
| Grumeti Western Serengeti | 9 hrs | Flight only, we don't drive this leg |
| Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River) | 11 hrs | Game-viewing drive |
| Lamai Northern Serengeti | 11 hr 30 min | Game-viewing drive |
Where to stay
Lodges and camps here.
Properties we work with directly. Each links to a dedicated lodge page with rooms, amenities, and best months.
Elephant Springs
Baobab shaded tented camp in Tarangire, opening 2026, with private night drive access and the densest elephant population in Tanzania at the gate.
- First Time Safari
- Family
- Photography
Maweninga Camp
Sixteen tents set into a granite kopje in Tarangire, above a sea of baobabs and two lakes.
- Photography
- Walking Safaris
- Second Time Visitors
Oliver's Camp
Fifteen tents in the quiet south of Tarangire, close to the Silale Swamp, with walking safaris, night drives and elephant passing camp through the day.
- Walking Safari
- Night Drives
- Elephants
Olkambe Simba Lodge by Simba Portfolio
A hilltop lodge above Tarangire with an infinity pool and views across three lakes.
- Couples
- Honeymoon
- Families
Ormatai Rock
Eight tents wedged into a granite cliff inside Tarangire, facing west over baobab country to the Rift wall.
- Elephant
- Baobab Country
- Walking Safaris
Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge
Rooms on stilts in the canopy at Kuro, in the part of Tarangire the elephants keep to themselves.
- Families
- Birding
- First Time Safari
Tarangire Simba Tented Lodge by Simba Portfolio
A tented lodge above a waterhole in baobab country, where elephants come to you on the edge of Tarangire.
- Families
- First Time Safari
- Wildlife Photography
Whisper Tarangire
A Swiss boutique tented camp tucked into the heart of Tarangire National Park.
- First Time Safari Travellers
- Families With Older Children
- Tarangire Focused Stays
What to do here
Experiences in Tarangire National Park.
The journeys we plan around this destination. Each one covers the best months, what it costs, and how to build it into a trip.
Great Migration
The Mara and Grumeti river crossings of the northern and western Serengeti, planned around where the herds actually are.
Explore : Great MigrationBig Five Safari
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino across Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Tarangire, with honest odds for each.
Explore : Big Five SafariFamily Adventure
A safari paced for children: shorter drives, family tents, guides who love questions, and a Zanzibar beach to finish.
Explore : Family AdventurePhotography Safari
A safari built around light and position: private vehicles, unhurried time, and seasons chosen for the pictures you want.
Explore : Photography SafariCalving Season
Half a million wildebeest calves born on the Ndutu plains between January and March, and the cheetahs and hyenas that follow them.
Explore : Calving Season
Common questions
Questions, answered.
How much are Tarangire park fees?
Adult entry is currently 53.10 US dollars per person per day, rising to 59 in the peak season, plus 17.70 US dollars per vehicle per day, before VAT. Children pay less. The full table is above and each fee is a separate line on your quote.
When is the best time to visit Tarangire?
The dry season, June to October, when elephants and other game concentrate along the river in large numbers. The green season is quieter and better for birds, but wildlife is more dispersed.
How many days should I spend in Tarangire?
Two nights is ideal, giving you a full day in the park plus a relaxed arrival or departure. Many shorter itineraries include a single full day as part of the Northern Circuit.
What is Tarangire known for?
Elephants and baobab trees. It has one of the highest densities of elephant in Tanzania and a striking landscape of ancient baobabs, seasonal swamps and the Tarangire River.
Can you do night drives or walking safaris in Tarangire?
Not inside the national park, which is day drive only. Both are possible in the bordering Randilen Wildlife Management Area, where we can base you if those activities matter to you.
Make it part of your trip
Plan a safari that includes Tarangire National Park.
Tell us how long you have and what you most want to see. We'll build a custom itinerary around Tarangire National Park with transparent pricing throughout.
Build & price your trip