Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most treasured wildlife destinations, located in the northern safari circuit. Famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, Tarangire is a photographer’s and wildlife lover’s paradise. In fact, some of the largest elephants in the world call this park home.

Unlike Serengeti or Ngorongoro, Tarangire lies close to Arusha, making it an ideal day-trip or first stop on a northern safari adventure. Despite its accessibility, it boasts a diverse ecosystem, offering sightings of numerous predators and prey across its 2,850 sq km (1,100 sq miles) of varied landscapes.

The park is named after the Tarangire River, which flows through its heart and serves as the main water source for wildlife. This river is the lifeline of the park, attracting animals from across the region, especially during the dry season.

Visitors can expect to encounter elephants, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, Thompson’s gazelles, greater and lesser kudus, elands, leopards, cheetahs, and unique species like oryx and gerenuk, which are rarely seen elsewhere in Tanzania.

Tarangire is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, hosting nearly 500 species of birds, including yellow-collared lovebirds, Kori bustards, stocking-thighed ostriches, and numerous shy starlings.