The short answer
- From Arusha
- About 2 to 2.5 hours
- Fee
- About US$59 per 24 hours each
- Tarangire best
- June to October
- Time needed
- Half to a full day each
Most northern safaris start with one of these two parks, on the way from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater. They're often treated as warm ups, but Tarangire in the dry season has some of the biggest elephant gatherings in Africa.
Tarangire or Lake Manyara?
Only time for one?
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- Travelling June to October: Tarangire
- The river draws thousands of elephants in the dry season.
- Bird lovers: Lake Manyara
- Over 400 species, with flamingos and pelicans on the lake.
- Short of time: Lake Manyara
- It sits right on the road to Ngorongoro, so it's the quickest stop.
- Want quiet game drives: Southern Tarangire
- Far fewer vehicles than the northern loops near the river.
| Tarangire | Lake Manyara | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 2,850 square kilometres | About 650 square kilometres, much of it lake |
| Landscape | Baobabs, the Tarangire River, swamps | Groundwater forest, lakeshore and the Rift Valley escarpment |
| Highlights | Huge elephant herds, lions, pythons in trees, birds | Baboons, blue monkeys, hippos, flamingos, the treetop walkway |
| Best months | June to October, when animals crowd the river | All year; birds are best November to April |
| Crowds | Busy in the north, quiet in the south | Busy at midday |
Tree climbing lions
Lake Manyara became famous for lions that rest in the branches of acacia trees. They're still seen sometimes, but not every day, and lions in Tarangire and the Serengeti climb trees too. Don't choose Manyara for this alone.
Fitting them in
Both parks sit near Mto wa Mbu, the village at the foot of the Rift Valley wall, where many budget camps and lodges are. A day in Tarangire then a morning in Manyara fits neatly before the Ngorongoro Crater. See our Tanzania safari itineraries.
Tip: In the dry season, ask for a full day in Tarangire with a picnic lunch rather than a quick half day: the best elephant areas along the river take time to reach.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tarangire worth visiting?
Yes, especially from June to October, when thousands of elephants gather along the Tarangire River among the baobabs.
Is Lake Manyara worth it?
It's a pleasant half day for forest, birds and baboons on the way to Ngorongoro, but less essential than Tarangire, the crater and the Serengeti.
How much is the Tarangire entry fee?
About US$59 per non resident adult per 24 hours, including VAT. Lake Manyara is the same.
Tanzania month by month
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Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
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The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026