Getting to Tarangire National Park

One of Tanzania’s lesser known gems, Tarangire National Park is a gem in northern Tanzania, offering an amazing safari with plenty of wildlife, very few crowds and sublime landscapes. Tarangire is famous for large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and huge herds of other animals and is included on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit with Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. If you’re on a first visit or already an old hand, it’s important to be equipped with the knowhow of getting to Tarangire National Park. This guide is full of information at your fingertips on routes, transportation options, and tips to plan your adventure.

Tarangire National Park Geographic Overview

Tarangire National Park is 120 kilometers (76 miles) southwest of Arusha, the main safari hub of northern Tanzania. It is about 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles), making it the sixth largest national park in the country. Known for migrating animals into the park regularly and the Tarangire River providing water for the wildlife during the dry season.

Located within the northern safari circuit of the country and just a few hours (Southwest) from the famous parks of the north, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Tarangire is the right place to incorporate other popular parks. Thanks to its position, it can be reached by road or by air from Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport or other nearby attractions.

Arriving in Tanzania

Before heading to Tarangire National Park, you’ll need to arrive in Tanzania, and there are several key points of entry for international visitors:

JRO — Kilimanjaro International Airport

Location: Tarangire National Park is 160 kilometres (99 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Best For: Most visitors coming to northern Tanzania’s safari circuit enter through this point. It’s also one of the global aviation hubs, well connected to international hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Flight Connections: As an easily accessible point for international travelers coming from anywhere in the world, including Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Dubai, the airport also serves international flights.

Arusha Airport (ARK)

Location: The closest domestic airport is 120 kilometers (75 miles) to Tarangire and is Arusha Airport.

Best For: This airport serves domestic and regional flights and Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. A departure point to nearby parks from where many charter and scheduled flights depart.

JNIA or DAR named Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Location: Tarangire is about 660 kilometers (410 miles) from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

Best For: Travellers to southern Tanzania (and even tourists to the coastal areas: Zanzibar) may fly into Dar es Salaam. However it is less convenient for those driving directly to Tarangire.

How To Get To Tarangire National Park By Road

By far the easiest and most economic way to get to Tarangire National Park is via the road; particularly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Roads in Tanzania in general are well maintained, and the drive is very scenic as it goes through villages, plains and forest.

Route from Arusha

From Arusha to Tarangire is around 120 kilometers (75 miles) and about 2 to 3 hours. The vast majority of tours and safari packages encompass road transfers from Arusha to Tarangire as part of an overall multi day itinerary. The Great North Road (A104) as paved takes a road trip out towards Babati. You will then take a detour leading you to the main gate of the park, called Sangaiwe Gate.

Distance: 120 kilometers (75 miles)

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Road Conditions: Some dirt roads within the park may be rough, especially during the wet season; the road is paved and in good condition.

An option for route from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Other visitors can reach Tarangire by road from Kilimanjaro International Airport, (JRO). You will, however, spend a little longer time on the journey, which takes around 3 – 4 hours, again depending on traffic and weather conditions. The route is like that from Arusha because Kilimanjaro airport is between Arusha and Moshi.

Distance: 160 kilometers (99 miles)

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Road Conditions: It’s a well maintained road, but it can be a little longer drive during the wet season with heavy rain.

Private Transfer vs. Self Drive

Self-Drive: Tarangire is a good option if renting a 4×4 vehicle and driving yourself there is your idea of adventure. Travelers who are used to off road conditions are advised to go the self driving route; some of the roads within the park can be tough to manage post rains.

Private Transfers: Road transfers to Tarangire from other regions can be arranged as part of a safari package by many tour operators. This is a more comfortable and hassle free option for most visitors, as someone who has been here before can take them to all the sites, and they can provide insights on the way.

How to get to Tarangire National Park by Air

If fast and convenient traveling is what you are looking for; then flying to Tarangire is your best bet. Domestic scheduled and charter flights are also operated to Kuro Airstrip inside the park by several domestic airlines. Because Tarangire park is also on the itinerary of most safaris that include other parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara, flights to Tarangire are usually part of the package.

Flights from Arusha

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Airlines: Auric Air, Coastal Aviation and Regional Air operate daily flights from Arusha Airport to Kuro Airstrip.

Advantages: Scenic aerial flying, to Tanzanian landscape, such as Mt.Kilimanjaro, Great Rift Valley, and the Tarangire savannah plains. If you are short on time, perhaps it’s the quickest way to get to the park too.

Flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

It’s not as common as flights from Arusha, but one can also take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kuro Airstrip.

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Airlines: There is little difference in the domestic airlines that serve this route and direct flights to Kilimanjaro Airport may be limited so travellers will first flight to Arusha.

Advantages: It is the best option for travelers who would like an aerial safari of Tarangire, on their way in.

Charter Flights and Fly-in Safaris.

Many safari companies will provide a private charter flights into the park if you are looking for the more exclusive experience.