Yes, you can do a Tarangire safari from Zanzibar, but it takes at least two days because you fly to Arusha first. Lekobe’s 2-day Tarangire trip from Zanzibar starts from US$946 per adult with flights and park fees included. Already in Arusha? A 1-day Tarangire game drive starts from US$271.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
Tarangire National Park is the northern circuit park that many first-time visitors overlook, and that is a mistake. It is known for big elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and a quieter feel than the Serengeti. It also sits close to Arusha, so it fits neatly into a short safari from Zanzibar. This guide covers how to get there, how long you need, what each trip costs and when to go.
Why visit Tarangire National Park?
According to Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Tarangire covers more than 2,850 square kilometres. TANAPA describes it as having the densest elephant population in Tanzania, and some of its baobab trees are more than 1,000 years old. In the dry season, herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo gather along the Tarangire River.
What you can expect to see
- Elephants: often in family groups close to the river and swamps.
- Baobabs and acacia woodland: the classic Tarangire backdrop for photos.
- Predators and plains game: Lekobe’s itineraries mention lions, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest, though sightings are never guaranteed.
- Other activities: TANAPA lists hot-air balloon safaris, night game drives, bush meals and guided walks. Walks must be accompanied by authorised rangers.
Tarangire is a good fit for travellers who want strong wildlife viewing without a long drive, and for anyone combining it with the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti.
How to get from Zanzibar to Tarangire
There is no road link from Zanzibar to the northern parks, so every Tarangire safari from the island starts with a domestic flight to Arusha. On Lekobe’s itineraries the day looks like this:
- Early pickup: most trips collect you from your Zanzibar hotel at 5:00 am (the 4-day trip lists an 8:00 am flight).
- Flight to Arusha: your guide meets you at Arusha Airport and gives a short briefing.
- Drive to the park: Lekobe’s itineraries plan about two hours by road. TANAPA’s Tarangire visitor guide gives 2.5 to 3 hours from Arusha, so allow for traffic and stops.
- Game drive and picnic lunch inside the park, then a lodge or camp for the night.
Domestic flights, the airport transfers in Zanzibar and park fees for non-residents are included in all of the Zanzibar departures below. If you want to understand the flight side in more detail, our guide to the Zanzibar to Serengeti safari explains how the Arusha connection works.
Can you visit Tarangire in one day from Zanzibar?
Lekobe does not offer a same-day Zanzibar to Tarangire return, because the flight and the drive leave too little time in the park. The shortest option is the 2-day trip with an Arusha city tour, which flies you out in the afternoon, gives you a full day in Tarangire, and flies you back to Zanzibar that evening.
Tarangire safari prices: trips from Zanzibar and Arusha
These are the current “from” prices per adult on Lekobe’s trip pages. Final quotes depend on group size, travel dates and accommodation choice.
| Trip | Starts in | Parks | From (USD per adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Tarangire NP from Arusha | Arusha | Tarangire | $271 |
| 2-Day Tarangire Safari with Arusha Tour | Zanzibar | Tarangire + Arusha city | $946 |
| 2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro | Zanzibar | Tarangire, Ngorongoro | $1,186 |
| 3-Day Fly-in Private Tarangire & Ngorongoro | Zanzibar | Tarangire, Ngorongoro | $1,452 |
| 3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Materuni Falls | Zanzibar | Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Materuni | $1,485 |
| 4-Day Camping Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Arusha | Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro | $1,474 |
| 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Zanzibar | Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro | $2,025 |
For a wider view of what safaris from the island cost, including Mikumi, Nyerere and the Serengeti, see our breakdown of safari from Zanzibar cost.
What the price includes
- Park fees for non-residents and all taxes/VAT
- A professional driver-guide and all transport in the itinerary
- Flights during the tour (Zanzibar departures)
- Accommodation and meals as listed day by day
- Roundtrip airport transfers
What is not included
- International flights and extra hotel nights before or after the tour
- Drinks on most trips
- Tips: the guideline on the trip pages is US$10 per person per day (see how much to tip a safari guide in Tanzania)
- Travel insurance, visas, souvenirs and any government increase in park fees
Which Tarangire trip is right for you?
Short on time: 2-day Tarangire safari from Zanzibar
The 2-Day Tarangire Safari with Arusha Tour (from $946) suits beach holidaymakers who want one proper safari day. Day 1 is an afternoon flight to Arusha, a guided city tour and a night at Arusha Farm House. Day 2 is a full game drive in Tarangire with a picnic lunch, then the evening flight back to Zanzibar. Children from 2 years can join.
For two parks in two days, the 2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro trip (from $1,186) flies you to Arusha at dawn, spends the afternoon in Tarangire with a night at Kankari Lodge, and descends into the Ngorongoro Crater on day 2 before the flight home. All meals are included; drinks are not.
More relaxed: 3-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro
The 3-Day Fly-in Private Safari (from $1,452) adds breathing room. You get game drives in Tarangire on days 1 and 2, then a morning in the Ngorongoro Crater on day 3 before a 4:00 pm flight back to Zanzibar. Nights are at Karatu Simba Lodge, and the minimum age is 3 years. If you are curious about the crater itself, read our Ngorongoro Crater safari guide.
Adults-only groups (minimum age 18) can choose the 3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Materuni Falls trip (from $1,485). It swaps a second park day for a hike to Materuni Waterfalls at the foot of Kilimanjaro, a Chagga cultural lunch and time at Kikuletwa Hot Springs.
The full northern circuit: 4 days
The 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar (from $2,025) is the most complete option. You start in Tarangire, spend two days in the Serengeti, and finish with an early crater descent at 6:30 am before flying back. It welcomes children from 1 year and uses lodges and tented camps.
Already in Arusha or after a Kilimanjaro climb?
The 1-Day Tarangire trip from Arusha (from $271) picks you up at 7:00 am, reaches the gate around 8:30 am, includes a picnic lunch at about 1:00 pm, and leaves the park at 4:30 pm. It is a popular add-on before or after a trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. Budget travellers with more time can choose the 4-day camping safari from Arusha (from $1,474), which covers Tarangire, the Serengeti and the crater.
Best time to visit Tarangire
Tarangire is open all year, and TANAPA notes that the gates close at 6:00 pm. The choice of season shapes your trip:
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | June to October | Animals gather near the Tarangire River. TANAPA calls this the peak season and advises booking well in advance. |
| Wet season | November to May | Greener scenery and fewer vehicles. TANAPA recommends a 4×4 vehicle in this period. |
Lekobe’s 2-day Tarangire & Ngorongoro page also lists June to October as the best wildlife-viewing window. If you are timing a longer trip around the herds in the Serengeti, check our Great Migration month by month guide.
Park fees and rules to know
TANAPA’s Tarangire page lists entry at US$70 for international adults and US$20 for international children. The visitor guide says fees vary by category, age and activity, so always check the current schedule. On Lekobe trips, park fees for non-residents are already in the price.
- Stay on designated tracks and do not feed or harass wildlife.
- Only get out of the vehicle at designated points.
- Drones need prior written permission.
- In tsetse fly areas, keep windows mostly up at low speeds and wear neutral-coloured clothing.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Tarangire from Zanzibar?
Tarangire is on the mainland, so you fly from Zanzibar to Arusha and then drive to the park. Lekobe’s itineraries plan about two hours on the road, while TANAPA quotes 2.5 to 3 hours from Arusha. With a 5:00 am hotel pickup, most guests are on a game drive by late morning or early afternoon.
How many days do you need in Tarangire?
One full day is enough to see the park’s highlights, which is why it works well as part of a short trip. From Zanzibar, plan at least two days because of the flights. Three or four days let you add the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti without rushing, and give you more chances to see predators.
How much does a Tarangire safari cost?
With Lekobe, a 1-day Tarangire trip from Arusha starts from US$271 per adult. From Zanzibar, prices start at US$946 for two days and reach US$2,025 for four days with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Park fees, flights and guiding are included. Final quotes depend on group size, dates and accommodation.
Is Tarangire worth visiting if I am also going to the Serengeti?
Yes, for most travellers. Tarangire offers a different landscape of baobabs, river valleys and large elephant herds, and it sits on the way from Arusha towards Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Adding it usually costs one extra day rather than a separate journey, as on Lekobe’s 4-day northern circuit trip.
Can children join a Tarangire safari?
Yes. Minimum ages vary by trip: 1 year on the 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro trip, 2 years on the 2-day Arusha tour option, 3 years on the 3-day private safari, and 5 years on the 1-day trip from Arusha. The Materuni Falls and camping trips are for travellers aged 18 and over.
What is the best month to see elephants in Tarangire?
The dry season from June to October is the best time. Water becomes scarce elsewhere, so elephants and other animals move towards the Tarangire River, which makes them easier to find. TANAPA describes this as the peak season, so book flights and lodges early if you are travelling in these months.
Plan your Tarangire safari with Lekobe
Tell us your travel dates, group size and where you are staying in Zanzibar or Arusha, and we will send a clear quote with flight times. Message us on WhatsApp (+255 676 68 1293), email info@lekobeadventures.com, or use the enquiry form on any trip page, such as the 2-Day Tarangire Safari from Zanzibar. You can also learn more about the park on our Tarangire National Park page.
