Tarangire National Park

Location: Manyara Region, Northern Tanzania
Area: 2,850 km²
Best Known For: Elephants, baobab trees, tree-climbing lions
Wildlife: 550+ bird species, large mammals
Elephant Population: Largest concentration in the world
Best Season: June–October (dry season)
Closest City: Arusha (2–3 hours drive)
Game Drives: Day drives + night drives available

Tanzania's Underrated Safari Gem

Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania's best-kept safari secrets. Covering 2,850 km², it has the second-highest concentration of wildlife of any Tanzanian national park — and is home to the world's largest concentration of elephants. During the dry season (June–October) thousands of animals converge on the Tarangire River, the only permanent water source for miles.

The park's landscape is dominated by ancient baobab trees — some over 1,000 years old — which create a dramatic and distinctive scenery unlike any other park in Tanzania. These enormous trees, with their thick grey trunks, create a fairytale backdrop for wildlife photography.

Elephant Paradise

Tarangire is famous above all for its elephants. During the dry season enormous herds — sometimes 300 individuals — move across the park in search of water. These are some of the most relaxed elephants in Africa, accustomed to vehicles, and you can often get extraordinarily close in complete safety.

Other wildlife includes lions (known to climb trees in Tarangire), leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, large buffalo herds, fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk, and the rare long-necked fringe-eared oryx. The birdlife is exceptional — over 550 species recorded.

Best Time to Visit

June to October (dry season) is the best time when animals concentrate around the Tarangire River. The park remains excellent year-round — during the wet season the park turns spectacularly green and many bird species are present.