Tarangire Where Elephants Roam Free in Tanzania

Tarangire has some of the highest elephant populations in the country. During peak migration from July to October, around 5,000 of these gentle giants will migrate to Tarangire – you can sometimes see groups of 300 elephants at once.

Wildlife in Tarangire

It’s not just elephants that migrate across these plains. You’ll also find plenty of other mammals including lions, zebras and antelopes. The vast grasslands and Baobab trees create a rugged, ‘Out of Africa’ feel that’s quite distinct amongst Tanzania’s national parks.

The park is famous for the thousands of elephants that come down to the park during the dry season in search of water, but there are also plenty of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, buffalo and hippos. Lions are often sighted, and you might see leopards and cheetahs patrolling the grasslands, or perched in a tree. Wild dogs have been spotted before, but you have to get lucky to find them.

Birdwatching in Tarangire

The park is also a great birding destination, with over 500 species living in Tarangire. From colorful kingfishers to majestic eagles, Tarangire’s birdlife is incredible

When to Visit Tarangire

The best time to visit Tarangire National Park is during the dry season from June to October. These are the best months for wildlife due to migratory patterns, and the short grasses make game viewing even easier. The animals flock towards the Tarangire river for water, allowing for easy sightings.

In order to see the big herds of elephants, we recommend visiting towards the latter period of the dry season (September/October). November can be especially cheap, as it is out of peak season but tends to still be quite dry before the short rains hit.

Accomodations in Tarangire

Most travellers tend to remain in the north of the park near the Tarangire river, but the south is equally beautiful. Your accommodation will normally be luxury tented camps. Some of our favourites here include Kuro Tarangire, Swala Safari Camp and Oliver’s Camp are high-end options, and some of the best bases in the park.

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp offers stunning views over the river and a pool for a moderate price in the northern part of the park. Tarangire Treetops is one of the most unique accommodation options in the park, with rooms built amongst thousand-year-old Baobab trees.

Getting to Tarangire

Tarangire is only a short drive from Arusha on tarmac roads, making for a relatively easy-going journey, and perfect for a short safari of one or two days after a Kili hike or other safaris across Tanzania.