Tarangire National Park

Located in northern Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is known particularly for its exceptional elephant sightings. Between June and October, a localized elephant migration takes place, and huge herds – of sometimes up to around 200 members per herd – can be seen. Elephants are one of the most desirable animals to see on safari and rightly so. They often portray a calm yet dominant presence, and simply watching them eat and interact with one other among the herd is always a special sighting.

It’s not just the African elephant that migrates in and out of Tarangire National Park. During the dry season, other species like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and buffalo among others, migrate into the park. While other parks are much drier during these months, Tarangire National Park provides a reliable source of water, which is what attracts the animals. When the rains arrive in November across Tanzania, other national parks become greener and lusher. Water, fresh pasture and more space can be found in neighboring parks and large, open savannahs across the Rift Valley area so consequently, the animals start to migrate out of Tarangire to these other parks.

Tarangire National Park is also known for its incredible baobab trees – often referred to as the ‘tree of life’. These giant trees have complex and deep roots, and some of the trees in Tarangire are over 1,000 years old. Driving through the park on game drives is a diverse experience as you’ll see many variations in the landscape. The Tarangire River runs through the park and is an essential source of water for the park’s flora, fauna and animals. It’s also a great opportunity for sightings, with predators like lions often lurking in the shade on the banks.

There are different ways to enjoy a safari in Tarangire National Park. Because of its location in northern Tanzania, you can drive to Tarangire National Park from cities like Kilimanjaro and Arusha (approximately a three-hour drive). Often combined with neighboring parks like Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, this can be a private tour with a vehicle and driver/guide. Another option is to fly directly into the park, where your safari guide will meet you at the airstrip and begin your safari. For this option, camps located further south of the park are good options to stay in, like Kuro and Oliver’s Camp. These camps also offer activities like walking safaris and fly camping, which makes it a very diverse safari experience.