Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is a little gem in Northern Tanzania's safari crown. This is the land of giants with huge herds of buffalo and elephant roaming free.
Welcome to the great expanses of elephant country.
The Tarangire bush is scattered with baobab trees, this land’s standing stones, and spread amongst them are herds of elephant and buffalo, often in their hundreds. The habitat is rich and varied: great grassy swamps, dense woodland, tall grass and the snaking Tarangire River, home to a plethora of animals and birdlife. Which makes it perfect lion, leopard - and Nomad territory.
With less distance to cover than in the Serengeti, this is safari slow-time. We spend hours here observing and photographing the natural world in intricate detail, in our favourite haunts all over the park.
We’ve quite a soft spot for Tarangire. Many of us cut our teeth round this park; there’s barely a team member of Nomad who wouldn’t have come here on safari at some point. Knowing it as we do, finding the perfect spot to be - secluded yet in the thick of the animal world - was not too tricky at all.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Lamai
Mkombe's House
Kusini
Entamanu
Kuro
Charlie, Sanjan
Charlie, Southwest Serengeti
In the field with Nomad
I think Tarangire National Park still feels truly wild. Sometimes you can drive for hours and feel like you are the only ones there. You even see unexpected things — once I watched honey badgers coming into camp at night, looking for food, like they owned the place.
For someone who has never been on safari before, I would describe Tarangire as a land of baobabs and elephants. And staying at Kuro Tarangire makes it even more special. It’s not unusual to see herds of elephants wandering quietly through camp, moving between the trees and rooms as if it’s just part of their normal route. It’s one of my favourite camps, because it really feels like you are living among the animals, not just watching them from a distance.
Godwin Urioh
The table below provides a clear overview of suggested locations, durations and key highlights to help plan a memorable and authentic Nomad adventure.
Tarangire National Park
Trip planning information
Location
Northern Tanzania, south-west of Arusha and often combined with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
Type of safari
Elephant country, with baobabs, riverine woodland, swamps and a wilder feel than many expect from the northern circuit.
Getting there
Usually reached by road from Arusha, or by light aircraft depending on routing and timings.
Wildlife
Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, plains game and prolific birdlife.
How busy is it?
Head to the southern end of the park for a wildlife and wilderness experience. Consider camp location.
Best time to visit
Dry season from June to October is lovely as wildlife gathers around the Tarangire River and remaining water sources; green season brings lush scenery and excellent birding.
How long to stay
2–3 nights.
Nomad Camps
Kuro.
Best combined with
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti or a broader Northern Tanzania safari.
Best for
Elephant lovers, first-time safari travellers, families, birders and anyone wanting a slower, richer start or end to the northern circuit.
Why go?
Go to Tarangire for elephant, baobabs, big skies and a northern Tanzania safari rooted in the bush.
Cost range
Costs vary by camp, season and routing.
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Sweet dreams are indeed made of this.
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Nomad safari guides operate the best camps in the best locations.
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Complete escapism awaits at newly opened Mkombe’s House, the only private house in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.