Tarangire National Park

Baobabs, huge dry-season elephant herds, and the quietest of the northern circuit's big parks.

Overview

Tarangire covers about 2,850 square kilometres of baobab-studded savannah two hours south of Arusha, and it is the northern circuit's most underrated park. Its character comes from the Tarangire river, which holds water when everything around it has dried out. From July onwards animals from a much larger ecosystem - the Maasai steppe, Lake Manyara, the Simanjiro plains - converge on it, and the concentration of elephant becomes extraordinary: herds of a hundred or more are routine, and the park is one of the best places in Africa to watch elephant family behaviour at length. Lion, leopard, buffalo and eland are all here, along with dry-country species you will not see in the Serengeti: fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk and the greater kudu. The baobabs give it a look nothing else on the circuit has. Most visitors come for a single day between Arusha and the Ngorongoro road, which is a mistake - the southern reaches around Silale swamp are far emptier and reward two or three nights.

Best time to visit

June to October, and the later the better - by September and October the river is the only water for miles and the game concentration peaks. November to May is green and excellent for birds, with migrant species arriving, but the animals disperse and sightings become work.

Travel tips

Stay at least two nights and push south past Silale swamp; the northern loop near the gate carries most of the day-trip traffic. Tarangire pairs naturally with Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro road, so it belongs at the start of a northern itinerary rather than squeezed in at the end. Tsetse flies are present in the woodland - avoid dark blue and black clothing. Night drives and walking safaris are available in the neighbouring Randilen and Burunge community areas but not inside the park itself.

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Operators serving Tarangire National Park

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Mwanza · Tanzania

KJB CAR ACCESSORIES

Arusha · Tanzania

Kikoti Tented Camp

Arusha · Tanzania

Kirurumu Manyara Lodge

Manyara · Tanzania

Kisora Guest House

Mwanza · Tanzania

Igoma

Manyara · Tanzania

Lake Burunge tented lodge

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Trips visiting Tarangire National Park

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5 Days Mikumi,Ruaha and Kilimanjaro Mountain visit

6 daysERICK SAFARIS

Visits

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park

From $750per person

Things to do in Tarangire National Park

Places and experiences rather than companies. Each one carries the thing you would otherwise find out by turning up.

The Tarangire River circuit
Wildlife
The river and its baobabs, where the elephants concentrate in the dry season.
Between July and October this is the only water for a long way, which is why the park holds elephant densities the Serengeti does not.
5 hours

Where these are, around Tarangire National Park

60 listings with a mapped location.

Map of 60 listings

Listed
Placed from the town

What Tarangire National Park costs

All-in on the ground, per person per day, excluding international flights. Ranges rather than a single figure, because accommodation and group size move the total more than anything else.

Indicative daily cost per person for Tarangire National Park, by travel style
Style	Per person, per day
Camping or budget lodge, shared vehicle	$170 – $230
Mid-range lodge	$230 – $400
Luxury camp, private vehicle	$600 – $1,200

Of that, $80 – $130 a day is government fees set by TANAPA. Every operator pays the same, so a quote below this floor is not a better deal — it is a different trip.

Add this to a whole-trip estimate

Indicative figures checked for 2026. Park fees are revised annually and some are quoted before VAT — confirm current rates with your operator or the park authority before you book.

When to visit Tarangire National Park

Month by month: wildlife, weather and how busy it gets.

October

Dry season — good roads, thinner bush, animals gathering at water.

Wildlife: Wildlife: 4 / 5
Weather: Weather: 4 / 5
Crowds: Crowds: 3 / 5
Rainfall: 40 mm
Temperature: 16–30 °C

Show all twelve months

When to visit Tarangire National Park
Best time to visit	Wildlife	Weather	Crowds	Rainfall	Temperature
JanuaryShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	60 mm	16–30 °C
FebruaryGreen, empty and cheap; game is dispersed.	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	55 mm	16–30 °C
MarchWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	110 mm	16–29 °C
AprilLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	200 mm	16–28 °C
MayLong rains — some tracks impassable and some camps closed. Lowest prices.	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	150 mm	15–28 °C
JunePeak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices.	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	30 mm	14–28 °C
JulyPeak seasonElephant herds concentrate along the Tarangire River.	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	10 mm	14–27 °C
AugustPeak seasonThe river is the only water for miles — and it shows.	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	10 mm	14–27 °C
SeptemberPeak seasonPeak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices.	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	15 mm	15–29 °C
OctoberDry season — good roads, thinner bush, animals gathering at water.	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	40 mm	16–30 °C
NovemberWet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	16–29 °C
DecemberShort rains — brief afternoon storms, green landscapes, fewer visitors.	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	90 mm	16–30 °C

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