3-Day Tarangire Safari with Camping Under the African Stars

Distance: Approx. 120 km (2-3 hours drive)
Accommodation: Camping inside Tarangire National Park

Morning:

• Pick-up from your hotel in Arusha early in the morning, around 7:00 AM.
• Drive to Tarangire National Park. The journey takes about 2-3 hours, passing through rural areas and offering your first glimpse of the stunning landscape as you approach the park.

Afternoon:

• Enter Tarangire National Park and begin your game drive. Tarangire is famous for its large herds of elephants, especially during the dry season. It is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, and several species of antelope.
• Stop for a picnic lunch in the park or at a designated picnic site while taking in the wildlife around you.

Late Afternoon:

• Continue your game drive, visiting areas such as the Tarangire River, which attracts a great deal of wildlife because of its importance as a water source, particularly during the dry months. The park's landscape is also marked by baobab trees, which provide a beautiful backdrop for photographs.

Evening:

• Set up camp at the public campsite inside the park, such as Twiga Campsite, where you will spend the night. You will set up your camp tents, enjoy a campfire if permitted, and settle in for a peaceful night under the African stars.

Dinner and Overnight at Camp:

• A hearty dinner will be served at camp, prepared by your safari chef. After dinner, you can relax and enjoy the evening.

Accommodation: Camping inside Tarangire National Park

Early Morning:

• Wake up early to enjoy a sunrise game drive. Early mornings are a great time to see predators and other animals while the weather is still cool.
• Have breakfast at camp before heading out for the day's safari.

Morning Game Drive:

• Enjoy a morning game drive through different areas of the park. Tarangire has a variety of habitats, from savannah to woodland, which attract different wildlife. The park is famous for elephant herds, and you will likely see large groups near the Tarangire River. Look out for lions, cheetahs, and leopards as well, especially in the early morning hours when animals are more active.

Lunch:

• Picnic lunch in the park or back at the campsite, depending on your route and timing.

Afternoon Safari:

• After lunch, head out for another game drive. You can visit areas like the Silale Swamp or the Gursi Swamp (seasonal), which attract various bird species, as well as large herds of buffaloes, wildebeest, and zebras.
• Tarangire is also known for its rich birdlife, with over 500 species recorded in the park, including vultures, marabou storks, and saddle-billed storks.

Evening:

• After a full day of exploration, return to your campsite for a relaxing evening. Enjoy the quiet of the park and perhaps even a sunset over the baobabs.

Dinner and Overnight at Camp:

• A delicious dinner will be served at the campsite, followed by a restful night under the stars. There may also be an opportunity to share safari stories around a campfire.

Distance: Approx. 120 km back to Arusha (2-3 hours drive)

Early Morning:

• Wake up early for a final morning game drive before packing up camp.
• During this drive, look for any animals you might have missed on previous days and enjoy your last moments in the park. Early morning is also the best time to spot predators like lions or leopards, which are more active at dawn.

Breakfast at Camp:

• Return to the campsite for a quick breakfast, then pack up camp and prepare for departure.

Final Game Drive:

• After breakfast, enjoy a short game drive on your way out of the park, taking in any last-minute views of wildlife.

Return to Arusha:

• Begin your drive back to Arusha, where you will arrive in the afternoon, around 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, depending on the pace of the safari and your timing.