Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Lake Manyara → Arusha town
3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Manyara Camping Safari
Elephants, the crater and Lake Manyara in three affordable days of camping.
3 days 2 nights
From $720 pp
National Park · Northern Circuit
Tarangire National Park
Baobabs, a life-giving river and some of Africa's largest elephant herds.
About Tarangire
Tarangire is the most underrated park on the northern circuit. In the dry months the Tarangire river is the only permanent water for miles, and elephants arrive in herds of hundreds alongside zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and the predators that follow them.
Ancient baobab trees, termite mounds and swamps give it a character all of its own. It is two hours from Arusha, which makes it a perfect first or last stop on any safari.
Highlights
- Hundreds of elephants along the river
- Ancient baobab landscapes
- Over 500 bird species
- Tree-climbing lions (occasionally)
- Walking safaris and night drives outside the park
What you might see
- Elephant
- Lion
- Leopard
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Fringe-eared oryx
- Gerenuk
- Python
- Kori bustard
When to go
Best Good Quieter / wet
June to October, when the river draws huge numbers of animals. The green season is excellent for birding.
Getting there
About 2 hours by road from Arusha, or by light aircraft to Kuro airstrip.
How long
1–2 nights
Where to stay
- BudgetTwiga campsite, Mto wa Mbu
- Mid-rangeTarangire Safari Lodge
- LuxuryTarangire Treetops
Examples of properties we use. We choose the right camp for your month and budget.
21 trips visit Tarangire
Tarangire safaris & tours
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Arusha town
4-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Camping Safari
The shortest safari that still reaches the Serengeti — camping inside the park.
4 days 3 nights
From $1,090 pp
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Arusha town
5-Day Classic Tanzania Camping Safari
Two nights in the Serengeti, the crater and Tarangire — the best value classic.
5 days 4 nights
From $1,340 pp
Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro → Serengeti …
6-Day Northern Circuit Camping Safari
All four northern parks on a budget, with a full day in the Serengeti.
6 days 5 nights
From $1,580 pp
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Zanzibar
7-Day Budget Safari & Zanzibar Beach
Serengeti and the crater on a budget, then three nights by the sea.
7 days 6 nights
From $1,890 pp
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Arusha town
4-Day Group Joining Camping Safari
Share the vehicle, split the cost. Serengeti and the crater on fixed dates.
4 days 3 nights
From $890 pp
Good to know
Tarangire: questions travellers ask
Is Tarangire worth adding?
Yes. It adds very different scenery and some of the best elephant viewing in Africa for little extra driving, especially from June to October.
Nearby
Also on the Northern Circuit
National ParkSerengetiEndless plains, big cats and the Great Migration.Explore
Conservation AreaNgorongoroA collapsed volcano holding one of Africa's richest wildlife floors.Explore
National ParkLake ManyaraGroundwater forest, a soda lake and the Rift Valley wall.Explore
National ParkArusha NPMount Meru, crater lakes and walking safaris an hour from town.Explore
Plan your Tarangire trip
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and a rough budget. A real person in Arusha will reply within 24 hours with a route and an honest price — no obligation.