Northern Circuit · National Park

Tarangire National Park

The Elephant Kingdom of Tanzania, beneath towering baobabs.

June–October (dry season), when wildlife gathers at the river
approx. 2,850 km²

Tarangire National Park

Type: National Park
Region: Northern Circuit
Area: approx. 2,850 km²
Established: 1970
Best time: June–October (dry season), when wildlife gathers at the river
Access: 2–3 h by road from Arusha

Overview

In the dry season the Tarangire River becomes a magnet for wildlife — and some of the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania.

Tarangire is a landscape of gently rolling hills, giant baobab trees and the river that gives the park its name. As the surrounding land dries out between June and October, the Tarangire River and the Silale Swamp draw elephants in their hundreds, along with zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe and the lions that follow them.

It is a superb park for birdlife and a relaxed, less crowded start or finish to a northern circuit safari, just two to three hours from Arusha.