Tarangire Park Day Trip from Arusha: Game Drive with Elephants

Watch elephants up close from the open roof of a safari vehicle

A day trip from Arusha to Tarangire National Park with a private game drive, picnic lunch and hotel pickup. You ride in an open-roof vehicle through baobab-studded savannah to see elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests and predators including lions and leopards. The park's Tarangire River draws game year-round, especially during the dry season when it becomes the only water source in the area. A live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language leads the drive. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tarangire National Park day trip

• Meet at hotel around 0800 hrs
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Enjoy game drive and wildlife viewing
• Have picnic lunch in the park
• Observe baobab trees and scenery
• Return drive to Arusha

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel around 8am and driven to Tarangire National Park, arriving with time to start the game drive. The park is famous for its giant baobab trees scattered across bush savannah and seasonal marshes. The landscape itself is part of what makes the day worth the drive. But the wildlife is what you came for. Tarangire holds thousands of elephants, and they're not disturbed by vehicles, so you get close views from the open roof. Buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests move through the reserve in herds, followed by lions and other predators. Leopards appear now and then. Cheetahs are rare.

The game drive takes up most of the day. You're watching and moving, stopping when animals are near. A picnic lunch box is included, eaten somewhere in the park during a break. The Tarangire River is the draw during dry season, when it's the only water source for miles, concentrating the animals where you can see them. After hours of driving and watching, you head back to Arusha, arriving in late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• hotel pickup around 8am.
• park entry fees.
• picnic lunch box.
• bottled water.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• all taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Simba Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling solo or with one or two others and want a private vehicle to follow the river during dry season, when elephants concentrate there. You'll also see the baobabs and birds that make Tarangire distinctive.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I actually see on the Tarangire game drive?

Tarangire is home to thousands of elephants, which you'll see up close from the open-roof vehicle since they're accustomed to safari cars. Buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests are common, and lions and other predators follow the herds. Leopards appear occasionally. Cheetahs are rarely spotted. The animals concentrate around the Tarangire River, especially during the dry season when it's the only water source in the area.

How long is the full day trip from Arusha?

The day trip runs about 10 hours total, including pickup from your hotel around 8am, the drive to the park, the game drive itself, and the return to Arusha in late afternoon. A picnic lunch break is built into the game drive time.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The trip includes private transportation, hotel pickup, park entry fees, a picnic lunch box and bottled water. You'll want to bring sunscreen, a hat, binoculars if you have them, and a camera. Tipping and additional snacks or drinks are not included.

Why is the dry season the best time to see game in Tarangire?

During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes the only water source in the area, so animals concentrate around it. This makes wildlife viewing much easier since you know where to find the herds. The park is also known as one of the best places to see elephants up close because the animals are accustomed to vehicles and not easily disturbed.