2-Day Tarangire & Crater, Upscale Lodge
Arusha Tarangire Karatu Ngorongoro Crater Arusha
From, per person$654
Day trip
Tarangire Day Trip
Overview
Elephants are the reason most people come to Tarangire. Family herds wander between huge, swollen-trunked baobab trees, dig for water in the sandy bed of the Tarangire River and cross the track in front of your vehicle. Add the park’s rolling savannah and its birdlife, and you have a full, varied safari day within reach of Arusha.
The park lies about two to two and a half hours from town, so you set off early and arrive while the morning is still cool and the animals are active. Alongside the elephants, look for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and buffalo, and keep watch for lions resting in the shade. Leopards live here too, though they are seldom easy to find. Game is usually at its densest in the dry months, roughly June to October, when animals gather near the river.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris includes the park fees, a picnic lunch in the bush and a short visit to a local village on the way out. You travel in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with an English-speaking guide, and the day can end at your Arusha hotel or at the airport if you are flying out that evening.
Tour highlights
- Large elephant herds along the Tarangire River
- Ancient baobabs scattered across the savannah
- Early start for cooler, more active game viewing
- Picnic lunch at a scenic spot in the park
- Village visit before the drive home
- Drop-off in Arusha or at the airport
Day by day
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Day 1 Early Start: Elephant Country and Baobab Plains Meals Lunch
Your guide picks you up in Arusha soon after dawn for the drive southwest to Tarangire. The first game drive begins while the air is still fresh, following the river valley where elephants, zebras and impala come to drink and birds call from the acacias. Around midday your guide finds a quiet place for a picnic lunch. The afternoon loop takes in more of the baobab-studded grassland, with plenty of stops for photographs as the light softens. On the way out you call at a nearby village to hear about local life and food, then continue to your hotel in Arusha or to the airport.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $384 | $256 | $191 | $171 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $404 | $270 | $202 | $180 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $448 | $299 | $224 | $199 |
Tour price includes
- Pickup in Arusha, with drop-off at your hotel or the airport
- Game drives in a 4×4 Land Cruiser (up to 7 seats)
- English-speaking local guide
- Tarangire park fees and taxes
- Picnic lunch with soft drinks and local beer
- Village visit on the way back
- Support by phone throughout the day
- Runs with a minimum of one traveler
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Breakfast and dinner
- Souvenirs and personal items
Questions about this trip
When is the best time of year for a Tarangire day trip?
The dry season, roughly June to October, is the classic time, because water is scarce elsewhere and animals concentrate along the Tarangire River. The park is open all year, though, and the green months bring lush scenery, fewer vehicles and good birdwatching.
Are there tsetse flies in Tarangire?
Yes, in some wooded parts of the park. They bite but are more of a nuisance than a danger on a day visit. Wear light, neutral colors rather than dark blue or black, choose long sleeves, and bring insect repellent.
Can the day end at the airport for an evening flight?
Yes. Instead of returning to your hotel, the day can finish at the airport. Share your flight time when you book so your guide can plan the afternoon drive and leave enough margin for check-in.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Cultural safarisDay trips
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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