Safari Guide
Tarangire National Park
Quick answer
Is Tarangire worth visiting?
Yes, especially in the dry months, when the Tarangire River draws large herds of elephants, zebras, buffalo and giraffes to its banks, with lions and cheetahs following. The park was gazetted in 1970, covers 2,850 km², and has over 550 bird species and ancient baobabs. One or two nights are enough for most circuits; non-resident adults pay TZS 127,750 a day to enter, before VAT.
| Size | 2,850 km², gazetted 1970 (TANAPA) |
| Known for | Elephants at the river, baobabs, over 550 bird species |
| Best time | The dry months, when game gathers at the river |
| Stay | One or two nights |
| Entry fee | TZS 127,750 per adult per day, excl. VAT |
| After the parks | 5–9 nights on Zanzibar |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
The park
What makes Tarangire different?
Tarangire National Park was gazetted in 1970 and covers 2,850 km² of northern Tanzania. TANAPA describes it as famed for its density of wildlife, especially African elephants. In the dry season the Tarangire River becomes a lifeline, drawing large herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo, and predators such as lions and cheetahs, to its banks; the river flows all year.
The landscape is part of the reason to come: ancient baobab trees, and abandoned termite mounds that shelter dwarf mongooses, pangolins and reptiles. Acacia woodland, open savannah, wetlands and floodplains give the park its variety.
Timing
When is the best time for Tarangire?
The dry months are the classic time, because the animals concentrate along the river. The table sets the year out by the rainy seasons the UK government describes for Tanzania; their length varies from year to year.
| Season | Months (about) | In the park |
|---|---|---|
| Long rains | End of March to May | Green, fewer animals at the river; tracks can be difficult |
| Dry months | Roughly June to September | Game gathers along the Tarangire River |
| Short rains | October to mid-December | Showers return; the herds start to spread out |
| Between the rains | Around January and February | Warm and green; resident game and birds |
Rainy seasons as the UK government describes them; the months between are approximate. The Tarangire River flows all year.
Length of stay
How long should you stay in Tarangire?
One night gives you an afternoon drive and an early-morning one, when the animals are most active. Two nights let you add something TANAPA lists for Tarangire that most parks do not: a guided walking safari, or a night game drive to look for the nocturnal animals. Balloon flights at sunrise are another option.
Tarangire is usually the first park on the northern circuit, an easy drive from Arusha. A common route continues to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Fees
What does Tarangire cost?
TANAPA's own tariff, in Tanzanian shillings and before VAT; the entrance is the season row valid from 16 May 2026 to 14 March 2027:
| Fee | Amount, excl. VAT | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance, adult | TZS 127,750 | Person and day |
| Entrance, child aged 5 to 15 | TZS 38,325 | Person and day |
| Concession fee, adult, when you stay inside the park | TZS 102,200 | Person and night |
| Night game drive, adult | TZS 127,750 | Person |
| Short walking safari, adult | TZS 51,100 | Person |
Safari companies usually include the park fees in their price. The whole budget, park by park: Tanzania safari costs.
The circuit
How does Tarangire fit the northern circuit?
Because it is close to Arusha, Tarangire works well at the start of a safari, and it pairs naturally with Lake Manyara. If you have limited days, many companies combine Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in a week. TANAPA says tree-climbing lions, the speciality of Lake Manyara, are sometimes seen in Tarangire too.
After the parks, the flight from Arusha to Zanzibar takes around 1 hour, depending on the airline and the aircraft. Our page on Zanzibar after safari covers how many nights to plan on the beach and how the transfer works.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- TANAPA: Tarangire National Park: The park in its own words: area, founding year, the river, elephants, baobabs, birds and activities.
- TANAPA: park entry tariffs (online reservation system): The official park fees in Tanzanian shillings, excluding VAT (public "Park Entry Tariffs" tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Tanzania safety and security: Tanzania's rainy seasons and what heavy rain does to park roads.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
Tarangire is often the first park of a northern-circuit safari. These are the questions guests ask about it.
Is Tarangire worth visiting?
For elephants and baobabs, very much so. In the dry season the Tarangire River is the park's lifeline, and large herds of elephants, zebras, buffalo and giraffes gather along it, with predators close behind. TANAPA also lists night game drives and walking safaris here, which few parks offer.
When is the best time to visit Tarangire?
In the dry months, between the rainy seasons, when water is scarce and the animals concentrate along the river. The UK government gives Tanzania's rainy seasons as generally the end of March to May and October to mid-December, with lengths that vary. The river flows all year, so there is game in every month, but the dry season is when it gathers.
How long should you stay in Tarangire?
One night allows an afternoon and a morning drive; two nights let you add a walking safari or a night drive. Many circuits start here on the way from Arusha towards Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
How much does Tarangire cost?
TANAPA's tariff lists TZS 127,750 per non-resident adult per day and TZS 38,325 per child aged 5 to 15, before VAT, for 16 May 2026 to 14 March 2027. Night drives and walking safaris have their own fees. Safari companies usually include the park fees; ask.
Can you see tree-climbing lions in Tarangire?
Sometimes. TANAPA says tree-climbing lions are most typical of Lake Manyara, but sightings are also possible in Tarangire and the Serengeti.
Is Tarangire good for birdwatching?
Yes: TANAPA counts over 550 bird species, including the yellow-collared lovebird and the ashy starling, across acacia woodland, open savannah, wetlands and floodplains.
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