Tanzania · Safari

12-Hour Tarangire National Park Safari from Arusha with Picnic Lunch

12 Hours Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tarangire's wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest
02 Experience game drives among iconic baobab trees and along the Tarangire River
03 Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the park's natural landscapes
04 Discover Tarangire's mix of woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands on a full-day safari

Embark on a full-day trip from Arusha to Tarangire National Park for the chance to explore one of Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations. Enjoy game drives through landscapes of baobab trees, woodlands, grasslands, and the Tarangire River area, where you may spot elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and many bird species. A picnic lunch in the park adds to this immersive safari experience.

Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and impressive baobab trees, along with plenty of wildlife, including lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Tarangire National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Full-Day Safari in Tarangire National Park

Pick-up: The trip usually begins early, around 5:30 AM. A private safari vehicle will pick you up from your hotel or lodge in Arusha. It is about a 2-hour drive (120 km) to Tarangire National Park.
Breakfast: You can bring a packed breakfast or have it provided by your hotel, depending on your tour operator.

7:30 AM - Arrive at Tarangire National Park

Entry: You will arrive at the park gate and go through the entry formalities. Your guide will provide a brief overview of the park, its wildlife, and what you will see during the day.
Safari begins: The game drive begins immediately upon entry. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and impressive baobab trees, along with plenty of wildlife, including lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest.

9:30 AM - Morning Game Drive

As you explore the park, your guide will take you to various key spots:

Tarangire River: During the dry season, the river attracts many animals, making this area excellent for wildlife sightings.
Baobab Trees: These iconic trees are often photographed because of their large size and unique appearance.
Elephants: The park is home to large herds, and you will likely see them interacting around waterholes.

12:30 PM - Picnic Lunch

Lunch break: Most day trips to Tarangire involve a picnic lunch in the park. The park has designated picnic spots, and you will enjoy a relaxing meal surrounded by nature. This is also a great time to stretch your legs and possibly see more wildlife.

1:30 PM - Afternoon Game Drive

After lunch, continue with another game drive. The afternoon is an excellent time to spot predators like lions and leopards, which are often more active during the cooler parts of the day.
The park's mix of woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands also gives you a variety of ecosystems to explore.

4:30 PM - Departure from Tarangire

Leave the park: After a full day of wildlife viewing, you will head out of the park around 4:30 PM.
Drive back to Arusha: The return journey takes around 2 hours, and you will be back in Arusha by around 6:30 PM.

6:30 PM - Arrival in Arusha

Drop-off at your accommodation in Arusha. This concludes your amazing day trip to Tarangire National Park.

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire National Park, Baobab Trees, Tarangire River

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 2 cities · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Round-trip transportation from your accommodation (hotel, lodge, or camp) to Tarangire National Park and back
A comfortable safari vehicle, often a 4x4 Land Cruiser or similar, with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing
A guided game drive through the park with a knowledgeable guide to help spot wildlife and provide information about the animals, plants, and ecosystem
Opportunities to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many bird species
Tarangire is especially famous for its large elephant herds
The entrance fee to Tarangire National Park, which contributes to conservation efforts and maintaining the park's facilities
A packed lunch or picnic in the park, which may include snacks, water, and a meal during the midday break
Bottled water to keep you hydrated during the safari
A professional driver-guide with expertise in wildlife, who will drive and navigate the park while providing information during the safari
Binoculars and often a guidebook to help with wildlife identification

What's Not Included

Accommodation: Overnight stays are not included in a day trip.
You would need a separate booking for accommodation if you wish to stay overnight at Tarangire or nearby.
Meals other than lunch: Breakfast and dinner are typically not included unless specified, so you may need to arrange those yourself if they are not included in the package.
Tips for the guide and driver are usually not included, and it is customary to offer a tip at the end of your trip.
Alcoholic beverages are generally not included, but some safari operators may offer beverages for purchase.
Additional activities such as walking safaris or hot air balloon rides require separate arrangements and are not usually part of a standard day trip.
Souvenirs, personal snacks, or any other personal purchases are not included.