Tarangire National Park · Safari Lodge
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.
About
Elephant Springs sits in Tarangire National Park among the giant baobabs that define the park's southern reaches. The 2,850 square kilometre park is best known for two things: the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania (sometimes 300-strong breeding herds gather around the Tarangire River in the dry season), and the iconic ancient baobabs, some over 1,000 years old, that punctuate the rolling savanna.
The dry season from June through October concentrates wildlife along the Tarangire River. The dwindling waterholes draw zebra, wildebeest, eland, hartebeest, oryx, and the predators that follow them. Birding is among the best in East Africa with over 550 species recorded. Outside the dry season the park feels green and lush. The herds disperse, but the resident wildlife (elephants, giraffe, the famous tree-climbing lions of Manyara's neighbour) stays put.
Elephant Springs is a Karibu camp with twelve standard tented suites, plus a Family Suite for parties of four. New Private Villas are opening in 2026, adding a higher-tier option for honeymooners and luxury travellers. The camp's most distinctive feature is its TANAPA-permitted night-drive access, one of only a handful of operators with formal authorisation for after-dark game drives inside Tarangire's park boundaries. This is a rare permission anywhere in the Tanzanian national park system.
Best for first-time safari guests who want strong wildlife density on a shorter trip (Tarangire is the easiest park to reach from Arusha), families who can use the Family Suite and add a night game drive for older kids, and photographers chasing the baobab landscape.
Access is straightforward: 2 hours from Kilimanjaro International to the park gate by road, or 30 minutes by Cessna to Kuro airstrip followed by a 30-minute game drive transfer. Most itineraries combine Tarangire with the Ngorongoro Crater and central Serengeti as a 7 to 10-night northern circuit.
Gallery
Signature experiences
TANAPA-permitted night game drive
One of the few operators with formal authorisation for after-dark game drives inside Tarangire National Park. Minimum 2 guests; additional Tarangire night-drive fees apply.
Baobab landscape photography
Tarangire's southern reaches hold some of East Africa's oldest baobabs, single trees over 1,000 years old. The morning and evening light against the rust-coloured trunks is one of the great Tanzania photographic subjects.
Walking safari (3-night minimum)
Half-day or full-day guided walks in concession areas adjacent to the park. A different pace from vehicle-based safaris: tracking, birding, and small-game observation on foot.
Honeymoon enhancement
Sparkling welcome, turn-down service with flowers, and a small gift from the camp.
Amenities
- All-Inclusive Package
- Premium Beverages
- Laundry Service
- Baobab Forest
- Private Villas (2026)
Best for
- First-Time Safari
- Family
- Photography
- Birding
- Walking Safari
Wildlife you might see
- Densest Elephant Population In Tanzania: 300+ Strong Breeding Herds In Dry Season
- Tree-climbing Lions In Tarangire's Central Kopjes
- 550+ Bird Species Recorded, One Of East Africa's Premier Birding Parks
- Ancient Baobabs Over 1,000 Years Old In The Southern Park
- Year-round Resident Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, And Predator Populations
Best time to visit
January, February, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Location & access
Tarangire National Park
Fly-in: Approximately 2hr 15min total: 1hr JRO to Arusha Airport (ARK) by road, then a 30-minute Cessna Caravan flight from ARK to Kuro airstrip, then a 30-minute game drive transfer to camp.
Drive: Approximately 2 hours total: 1hr JRO to Arusha, then 1hr Arusha to the Tarangire park gate, then a short game-drive transfer to the camp.
Room types
Single Tent
Solo en-suite tent under canvas, with a private deck under the baobab canopy.
Double Tent
Twin or king-bed en-suite tent with hardwood floors, a private deck, and an outdoor bucket shower.
Triple Tent
Three-bed configuration with the same canvas-and-deck character, suited to friend or family groups.
Family Suite
Two interconnecting rooms with a shared lounge, sleeping up to five guests with kids in the second room.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (3 Meals Daily)
- House Drinks (tea, Coffee, Water, Juices, Soft Drinks)
- Daily Laundry
- TDL (Tanzania Development Levy)
Not included
- Park Fees
- Concession Fees
- Game-drive Vehicle And Driver-guide
- Premium Drinks
- Flying Doctors / Medical Evacuation
- Travel Insurance
- Bush Flights
- Tips And Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Elephant Springs have?
Twelve standard tents plus a Family Suite, with new Private Villas opening in 2026. Maximum capacity around 30 guests in the current configuration.
When is Elephant Springs open?
Year-round. Dry season (June to October) and short-rains shoulder (November to December) are the strongest months for wildlife concentration.
How do guests reach Elephant Springs?
Either a 2-hour drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport via Arusha and the Tarangire park gate, or a 30-minute Cessna flight from Arusha Airport to Kuro airstrip followed by a 30-minute game drive to camp.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. The Family Suite is built for four to five guests. Karibu charges children aged 5 to 14 at 50% of the adult rate; under 5 stay free when sharing with a parent.
What's included in the rate?
Full board, house beverages, daily laundry, and TDL. Excluded: park fees, the game-drive vehicle, premium drinks, flying-doctors cover, bush flights, tips, and personal items. Night game drives are an extra activity at additional cost.
What is the best time to visit Tarangire?
June to October for the dry season elephant concentrations along the river, or January to February for green-season birding and lower visitor numbers. Avoid April to May for the long rains, when roads inside the park become difficult.
What's nearby
- Lake Manyara National Park1.5hr drive northwest. Tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and an alkaline lake ringed with thousands of flamingos. Combined with Tarangire as a 4 to 5 night Northern Circuit warmup.
- Randilen WMA cultural visitMaasai community visits in the Wildlife Management Area on Tarangire's eastern edge. Frank conversations with pastoralist families about life alongside wildlife.
- Mto wa Mbu market1hr drive northwest. A multi-ethnic Tanzanian market town between Tarangire and Manyara, known for produce, traditional craft markets, and cultural tours.
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