Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha, it's a 2 to 3 hour drive to Tarangire National Park. The park's seasonal marshes and savannah, once hunting grounds before the national park was established in 1970, are now reserved for wildlife viewing alone. Tarangire holds the highest elephant density in Northern Tanzania year-round, with herds along the Tarangire River sometimes reaching 300 animals. During the dry season (July to October), the river is one of the few reliable water sources in the area, drawing lion, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and a wide range of antelope and gazelle species, with a chance of spotting a python if you're lucky. The park is also excellent for birdlife, with over 550 species recorded, including the ostrich, the world's largest bird. After a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the park, the afternoon continues with further game viewing before the drive back to your hotel in Arusha before sunset.
Distance: Approx. 2-3 hours' drive each way from Arusha, plus a full day of game driving
Activity: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: N/A, day trip
Meals: Lunch
Extend your trip
- Want to combine Tarangire with the Ngorongoro Crater? Our 2-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari covers both over two days.
- Considering more parks on the same trip? Our 4-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari adds the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to a Tarangire start.