Tarangire National Park
Land of Giants — Elephants and Ancient Baobabs
Best Time
June–October (dry season, best wildlife concentrations)
Park Fees
$53/person/day
UNESCO
No
Area
2,850 km²
Key Wildlife
Elephant, Lion, Leopard
About Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania's most underrated yet wildlife-rich destinations. Covering 2,850 square kilometers, the park is famous for its massive elephant herds — some numbering in the hundreds — that gather along the Tarangire River during the dry season.
The park's iconic landscape is defined by its ancient baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old, which dot the savanna like giant sentinels. These remarkable trees store water in their massive trunks and provide shelter for countless species.
During the dry season (June–October), Tarangire hosts one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in East Africa. The Tarangire River becomes a lifeline, drawing elephants, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and predators from the surrounding areas. The park's relatively low tourist numbers mean you'll often have wildlife sightings entirely to yourself.
Bird enthusiasts will find Tarangire particularly rewarding, with over 550 species recorded — from the endemic ashy starling and rufous-tailed weaver to the massive kori bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird.
Wildlife Highlights
Elephant
Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Buffalo
Giraffe
Zebra
Wildebeest
Kori Bustard
Hornbill
Python
Fringe-eared Oryx
Greater Kudu
Practical Information
Drive from Arusha (~120 km, 2.5 hours) via the paved road to Babati then into the park. Most northern circuit safaris include Tarangire as the first or last stop.