Whilst it may not enjoy the infamy of the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park offers its visitors a promise of wilderness adventure, away from some of the busier areas of the ‘Northern Circuit’ of Tanzania. Well-known for its congregating herds of elephant, the park is comprised mainly of arid, open plains filled with more vegetation than the Serengeti, including baobab trees and acacia, with a network of swamps dominating the land to the south.

Spanning an area of 2,600 square kilometres in total, Tarangire is located in the northern area of Tanzania, just southeast of Lake Manyara on the Tarangire River from which it takes its name. The park is an easy two hour drive from Arusha or shorter still from Lake Manyara.

Game viewing in Tarangire is an obvious highlight, and it can be spectacular during the dry season with some of the highest number of animals in the country. Elephants in particular gather here in large numbers, with up to an awe-inspiring 500 along the river banks. Other animals you may witness include herds of buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle, wildebeest, zebra, gerenuk, hartebeest, kudu, and oryx.

The birdlife of the of the park also offers great variety, with in excess of 500 species being recorded. It is not unusual to see flocks of yellow-collared lovebirds and some of the superlatives of the bird world, including the heaviest flying bird, the koi bustard, and the world's largest bird, the stocking-thighed ostrich.

Those looking to enjoy Tarangire may decide to spend one or two nights at the beginning or end of a circuit of Northern Tanzania’s parks. Maramboi Tented Camp has a good strategic position between Tarangire and Manyara, which makes it a great base for exploration, whilst the naturally-inspired Oliver’s Camp, luxurious Sanctuary Swala or thrilling tree house accommodation of Tarangire Treetops all place you in the heart of the park itself to fully absorb the atmosphere, and enjoy game drives and walks from close comfort.