Tarangire National Park is one of the highlights of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, famous for its spectacular elephant herds, iconic baobab-studded landscapes and the life-giving Tarangire River. Often overlooked in favour of the Serengeti, Tarangire offers superb, less-crowded game viewing and a distinctive scenery all its own.

Elephants and wildlife

Tarangire is renowned for having some of the largest elephant concentrations in Tanzania, particularly in the dry season. Alongside them you can see lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and the localised fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk.

The Tarangire River and baobabs

The perennial Tarangire River is the park’s lifeline, drawing wildlife from far around during the dry months. The landscape is dotted with ancient baobab trees, giving the park a timeless, sculptural beauty.

Birdlife

With over 500 recorded species, Tarangire is one of the best birding destinations in Tanzania, from colourful bee-eaters to giant ground hornbills.

Best time to visit

The dry season (June to October) is the finest time, when huge herds gather along the river. The green season brings lush scenery and excellent birding.