Tarangire National Park can best be described as the "Land of the Elephants" due to the massive herds sometimes reaching upwards of 300 individuals. Over 1,000 square miles of unspoiled African wilderness are dotted with some of the most iconic foliage of Tanzania - Acacia and Baobab trees. The Tarangire River meanders through the park and serves as the primary source of water for all of the incredible wildlife that calls this park home.
It is also often considered one of the most underrated wildlife parks in all of Africa - due to the presence of 4/5 of the "Big Five" and far fewer visitors than the more famous parks further north.
This guide seeks to give a quick breakdown of need-to-know information about Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park is 2.5-3 hour drive from JRO international airport and about 1.5 hours south of Karatu - A centrally located town which acts as a jumping off point for several of the parks in the Tanzanian safari circuit. Because it is within a reasonable distance to the airport, Tarangire can bea good choice for the bulk of a short safari that only lasts for 2-4 days.
Tanzanian park entry fees vary by age, season, and whether or not you are a citizen of East Africa. Fees also are often charged both per person as well as per group. If you sleep in the park, you will also be assessed a concession fee. All park fees are INCLUDED in every Tohe Wildlife Safari itinerary.
The below fees are for NON-East African Adults over 16 years of age. To see the detailed tariff list, click here.
Concession (entry) Fees:
Camp Site Fees (Only assessed if using public Camp sites):
Hotel Concession Fees (Assessed if you stay at a lodge within the park boundaries):
Vehicle Entry Fees:
As mentioned previously, 4 out of 5 of the Big Five can be found in Tarangire National Park - Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, and Elephant. Rhino are the only ones not found here. Elephants in particular have made this park their home and visiting without seeing some would be a surprise. Though, again, keep in mind when booking a safari that part of the magic of seeing these animals in their natural habitats is that there is never a guarantee to see them. Giraffe are also common here as well as several migratory herbivores like Zebra, Wildebeest, Gazelle, and even Eland. Very lucky visitors may have a chance at spotting Cheetah or even Wild Dog.
Due to its proximity to the tourism hub of Karatu, visitors of Tarangire often stay there. Numerous lodges are available in the area for varying budgets. For visitors who would prefer to enjoy the park more thoroughly, there is also classic tented-safari lodge accommodation available within the park boundaries. See some of the Karatu or Tarangire lodging available within your chosen budget class below:
See here for mid-range options
While possible, Tarangire is probably not the ideal destination for a safari day trip. With a 4 hour round trip time from Arusha town, much of your day will be spent in transit. However, if seeing elephants is your priority and you only have one day then it may be worth the drive for some visitors. If you are willing to spend the night in nearby Karatu, then it becomes much more feasible. The easiest day trip in Tanzania is Arusha National Park.
With over 1,000 square miles to cover, the landscape in Tarangire National Park is certainly varied. The key features are the Tarangire River, Baobab and Acacia trees, and seasonal swamps that Hippos call home. It can be quite dry during the dry season, though there is still a large amount of flora to be seen. Some areas are dominated by woodland and others relatively open plains.
What constitutes the best time to visit is always subjective depending on what you prioritize. In general, the things to consider with seasonality are:
Tarangire is often overlooked by tourists visiting Tanzania in favor of Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Combine that with the fact that there is over 1,000 square miles to explore, and you have a park that doesn't feel too busy at any time of the year. As with every park though, the dry season of June - October is when you will encounter more people.
During dry season (June - October) typical temperatures during the day are in the mid-70s and the high 50's in the early mornings and evenings. Rain is extremely rare. All areas of the park will be accessible.
During wet season temperatures are generally slightly hotter than dry season (high of low-mid 80s). Regarding precipitation, the wet season is further split in two sub-seasons known as the "long rains" and "short rains."
In general, wildlife is always more difficult to find during the wet season for two reasons. First, wet season produces more vegetation. The greenery, while beautiful, gives the animals many more places to hide. Second, the animals have more access to water sources so they do not need to concentrate around fewer areas as they do during dry season.
Though Tarangire is not as famous for its migration as Serengeti, it is still occupied by many migratory mammals. During the wet season of November-May, many of them will exit the park. However, wet season is also ideal for bird watching since it is when migratory birds will return to the park.
In Tarangire National Park, the variance between wildlife viewing between seasons is a factor to consider. For example, during wet season lions may be much less common to see however it is very likely to still see many elephants.
Because Tarangire National Park is already quite inexpensive, the cost savings for going during wet season are not significant. Cost savings will vary by accommodation choice.
