Tarangire National Park

Elephant Paradise with Baobab Backdrops

Tarangire National Park in Tanzania covers over 2,850 square kilometers of savanna and acacia woodland. The landscape features seasonal rivers that attract large herds of elephants during dry months. Lions, leopards and cheetahs roam the plains alongside giraffes and zebras. The park’s distinctive feature is its high concentration of baobab trees, some over 100 years old. Visitors can explore by vehicle or on foot with guided walks to observe wildlife up close while learning about local conservation efforts supporting both animals and nearby communities.

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National Park in Tanzania

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.8

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	3
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	1

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken by guides, park staff, and lodge employees. Most safari professionals are fluent in English, making communication easy for international visitors. Signs and information are typically provided in both Swahili and English.

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Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Tarangire National Park Summary

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Outstanding for wildlife safaris and elephant herds. Take game drives across savannah landscapes, watch lions and giraffes and enjoy birdwatching near river valleys.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Wildlife

Birdwatching

Natural sites

Guided tours

Stargazing

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 6

Sustainability

Tanzania – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G Type D: Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) £1 ≈ TZS 3,520.45
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Tanzania’s larger cities, but cash is still the most widely accepted form of payment. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Tanzania, typically around 5-10% in restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not common in Tanzania, and alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues like restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas. Many restaurants and public spaces have non-smoking sections.

Independence Day (9 December)	Celebrates Tanzania’s independence from British colonial rule
Saba Saba (7 July)	Industry Day

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Tanzania is famous for its stunning wildlife, including safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro. The coast also offers beautiful beaches, particularly around Zanzibar.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

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Jan

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Feb

🌦️

Mar

⛈️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🔥

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season June to October concentrates wildlife along the Tarangire River; long rains March to May can make roads impassable

Short rains in November and December are usually brief afternoon showers

Don't miss

🐘 Spot herds of majestic elephants near the Tarangire River
🦁 Take a guided safari to witness the Big Five
🌳 Watch baobab trees glow under golden evening light
📸 Photograph giraffes and zebras crossing the open savanna
🏕️ Stay overnight in a tented camp under African stars

You've been here?

Why travel to Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire is a wildlife enthusiast's dream, especially during the dry season (June to October) when enormous herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebra and buffalo congregate along the Tarangire River. The park boasts some of Africa's highest elephant densities, with hundreds often visible in a single view. Beyond the elephants, you'll find diverse habitats supporting lions lounging in sausage trees, leopards hiding in the Matete Woodlands and rare species like the fringe-eared oryx. The towering baobabs create an otherworldly backdrop for photography, while over 550 bird species make it a birdwatcher's paradise. However, timing matters at Tarangire. During the wet season, many animals disperse to surrounding calving areas, making wildlife viewing less spectacular. The roads can become challenging after heavy rains and the park's proximity to human settlements means it doesn't feel as remote as some other Tanzanian parks. Tsetse flies can be bothersome in certain areas and while the park is generally safe, wildlife encounters require respecting your guide's instructions. Still, for those seeking authentic wilderness with fewer crowds than the Serengeti, Tarangire offers an unforgettable safari experience.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Tarangire Hill

🎡Places for activities

1 Kitibong Hill
2 Lake Burunge tented lodge

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Silale swamp
2 Tarangire River

🎈Events

Great Migration (dry season)
Bird migration season (November-May)
Calving season (wet months)
Cultural tourism events
Photography workshops

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Knowledge before you go

Book safari guide. Self-driving restricted in most areas.
June-October dry season best; massive elephant herds gather along Tarangire River.
Park entry $45/person daily plus vehicle fees; pay at gate or through operator.
Wear beige/khaki colors; blue/black attract tsetse flies that bite through clothing.

How to travel to Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is located about 120km southwest of Arusha, the main gateway city for Tanzania's northern safari circuit. Most visitors arrive via Kilimanjaro International Airport, then travel to Arusha before continuing to the park. The journey from Arusha to Tarangire takes 2-3 hours by road on a mostly paved highway. Alternatively, you can fly to the Kuro Airstrip inside the park via chartered flight or to nearby Manyara Airport (about 30km away) on domestic flights from Arusha or Dar es Salaam.

Access summary

From Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO): Drive via Arusha, usually about 3–4 hours.
From Arusha city: Safari 4x4 or tour vehicle, roughly 2–3 hours.
From Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam: Short domestic flight to Tarangire/Manyara airstrips, then transfer.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tarangire National Park

Accommodation options in and around Tarangire range from luxury lodges and tented camps to more budget-friendly options. Inside the park, you'll find permanent tented camps and lodges offering stunning views and wildlife sightings right from your veranda. Outside the park boundaries, numerous lodges provide good access to the main gate. Prices vary widely from budget camping safaris US$150 – 250 (£112.67 – 187.78) per person per day to mid-range and luxury options US$300 – 500 (£225.34 – 375.57) per person per day.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

TARANGIRE KURO TREETOPS LODGE

9.2

Elephant Rock Luxury Camp

7.5

Elewana Tarangire Treetops

Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Olkeri Camp

Tarangire Greenland Retreat

Baobab Tented Camp

5.8

Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge

Elephant lodge

9.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is explored primarily by safari vehicle on game drives. The park has a network of roads and tracks, though some become difficult to navigate during the rainy season. Most visitors travel with a guide and driver as part of an organized safari. Walking safaris are available in designated areas with armed rangers. Self-driving is possible but not recommended unless you have experience with African bush driving.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-67 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 67% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-12 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TZS) is 12% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Arusha, Tanzania - 92 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£60	£139	£379
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£45	£113	£300
🍝 Food per day	£14	£23	£62
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£4	£16

Notable additional fees: Conservation fee US$59 (£44.32) per person per 24h in peak season, US$53.10 (£39.89) in low (incl. VAT). Sleeping inside adds about US$47.80 (£35.90) a night; night game drives cost extra.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.80
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.60
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.14
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.60
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£10
🤧 Cold medication	£6.50
💇 Basic haircut	£2.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Tarangire is generally safe for tourists, with very little crime. The main safety concerns are related to wildlife encounters, which are managed by staying in vehicles and following guide instructions. Avoid walking around unfenced camps at night without an escort.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in the park are basic. Serious conditions require evacuation to Arusha or further. Bring any necessary medications, use insect repellent and stay hydrated. The park is in a malaria zone, so appropriate prophylaxis is recommended.

Accessibility

Tarangire has limited accessibility for those with mobility challenges. Game viewing vehicles can be adapted, but many camps and lodges have uneven terrain. Advance arrangements are necessary for visitors with specific accessibility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe for drinking. Lodges and camps provide bottled or filtered water. Always carry sufficient water during game drives, especially in the hot dry season, as dehydration is a risk.