Beautiful and often underrated, Tarangire is home to the highest concentration of elephants anywhere in Africa. The Tarangire River is the only water source in the area during the dry season, drawing enormous numbers of animals and making the park exceptional from January–February and July–October.
The landscape is dramatic and distinctive — dotted with ancient baobab trees and enormous termite mounds. Beyond the famous elephant herds, the park offers lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, leopards, impalas, warthogs, monkeys, and baboons. Rhino and cheetah are not present.
Walking safaris and night game drives are both permitted in Tarangire, setting it apart from many other parks. A balloon safari is also available. The park pairs very well with a Serengeti itinerary, breaking up the long drive in a natural and rewarding way.
There are excellent lodges and tented camps both inside the park and just outside the gates — some with large numbers of animals wandering through the property itself. A day trip from Arusha is possible if time is short.