Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of the most renowned national parks of the northern circuit in Tanzania. It's famous for its large herds of massive elephants and huge, ancient baobab trees. In fact, Tarangire is home to some of the world's largest elephants.
Tarangire National Park is often visited in combination with Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Unlike these parks, Tarangire lies relatively close to Arusha and is also the only national park in the area where you can spot a large variety of animals, including many predators. This makes Tarangire the perfect national park for a daytrip as well.
It's also a quite large national park, covering an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometres (1,100 square miles). Tarangire National Park derived its name from the long serving river that crosses the park in the middle called the 'Tarangire River'. The river acts as the primary source of water for wildlife in the park, which is also one of the reasons for the large variety in the park's ecosystem.
In the park you might encounter good numbers of wildebeest and zebra as well as giraffe, buffalo, Thompson's gazelle, greater and lesser kudu, eland, leopard and cheetah. It is also the only place in Tanzania where the oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted.
Tarangire is also home to nearly 500 species of birds. Among which the most famous are the yellow-collared lovebirds, Kori bustard, the stocking-thighed ostrich, and the shy starlings that are in plenty and widespread in Tanzania.
Activities
- Game Drives
- Balloon Safari
- Night Game Drive
- Bird Watching
- Wedding & Honeymoon
Wildlife Highlights
- Elephants – largest herds, some of the world's biggest
- Predators – lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena
- Antelopes – oryx, gerenuk, kudu, eland, impala
- 500+ birds – lovebirds, Kori bustard, ostrich, eagles
- Baobabs – iconic giant trees, hundreds of years old
Tarangire River
The river is fed by seasonal sand rivers originating to the East and South-eastern parts of the park. It flows northward along the park and empties into Lake Burunge. The Tarangire River with its associated permanent swamps serves as critical dry season water sources for thousands of migratory animals, thus offering a fantastic game drive experience.
Baobab Trees
Tarangire is famous for its giant baobab trees, some of which are hundreds of years old and create a distinctive landscape. These ancient trees provide shelter and food for wildlife and are one of the park's most iconic features, making Tarangire one of the best places in Africa to see these magnificent trees.
Tarangire FAQs
Everything you need to know about visiting Tarangire National Park – from giant elephants and ancient baobabs to birdwatching and the iconic Tarangire River.
Tarangire National Park is located in northern Tanzania, about 120 km southwest of Arusha. It is part of Tanzania's famous Northern Safari Circuit.
The park is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and excellent wildlife viewing, especially during the dry season.
The park covers approximately 2,850 square kilometres, making it one of Tanzania's largest national parks.
Common wildlife includes:
- Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs
- Buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest
- Impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, baboons
Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania. During the dry season, hundreds of elephants gather near the river and water sources.
The best wildlife viewing is during the dry season (June–October) when animals congregate around the Tarangire River.
The river is the park's primary water source and attracts large numbers of animals during the dry season, making it a focal point for game viewing.
Tarangire is home to lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Rhinos are generally not found in the park, so seeing all of the Big Five is unlikely.
The park hosts more than 500 bird species, including:
- Ostriches, hornbills, eagles
- Lovebirds, Kori bustards
- Secretary birds
Yes. Tarangire is famous for its giant baobab trees, some of which are hundreds of years old and create a distinctive landscape.
A stay of 1–2 days is ideal for most visitors, although wildlife enthusiasts may choose to stay longer.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Game drives
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife photography
- Guided walking safaris in designated areas
- Cultural visits to nearby communities
Yes. The park is family-friendly and offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife in a relatively less crowded environment.
The park is easily accessible by road from Arusha and is often the first stop on a Northern Circuit safari.
Visitors can choose from:
- Luxury lodges
- Tented camps
- Mid-range lodges
- Budget campsites
Tarangire is generally less crowded than Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, offering a more tranquil safari experience.
Its combination of massive elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, rich birdlife, and seasonal wildlife migrations makes it one of Tanzania's most distinctive parks.
Yes. Tarangire is commonly combined with:
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti National Park
Bring:
- Lightweight clothing
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Tarangire offers outstanding elephant viewing, beautiful landscapes dominated by baobab trees, abundant wildlife, excellent birdwatching, and a quieter safari experience compared with some of Tanzania's more famous parks. It is a key highlight of the Northern Safari Circuit.
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