Top 10 Best Tarangire National Park Safari Camps & Lodges.

On Tanzania’s well-known Northern safari circuit, Tarangire National Park is the second-largest national park. It is a very worthwhile addition to any Tanzanian safari itinerary, even though it is not as well-known as the neighboring Serengeti National Park. This is because it supports significantly higher densities of elephants. This underappreciated park, which is dotted with old baobab trees, is at its best during the dry season when the Tarangire River draws big herds of species. In addition to elephants, there are more than 500 different species of birds, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and a variety of antelope.

There are a variety of lodges and campgrounds in Tarangire to select from when it comes to lodging. While some of these are located inside the national park, others are situated in the community reserves and wildlife management areas that surround its boundaries. Ten of the top Tarangire safari lodges and camps are listed here.

There is no set order of quality for the hotels listed below.

1. The Tented Lodge at Lake Burunge

Lake Burunge Tented Lodge is a great starting point for a safari in Tarangire National Park since it is cozy, reasonably priced, and in a picturesque location. The native Mbugwe people run the private concession where it is located.

The common areas provide a fantastic view of Lake Burunge, a seasonal animal attraction that is particularly well-liked by elephants, while the luxurious tented rooms and cottages feature individual terraces. Being just ten minutes from Tarangire’s Sangaiwe Gate, the lodge is also in a prime location for wildlife drives.

2. Simba Lodge Tarangire

This traditional tented camp is situated in a wildlife management area that borders the Sangaiwe Gate of the national park and is built around one of the enormous baobabs for which Tarangire is known. The 16 roomy safari tents are situated on a wooden stilt platform with views of Lake Burunge and are all covered by a thatch roof.

Excellent wildlife viewing is available in the surrounding area, particularly during the dry season. Our favorite feature is the free-form infinity pool, where you can cool off while admiring the wildlife that frequently gathers at the waterhole.

3. Safari Lodge Tarangire

It’s true that certain Tarangire safari camps and hotels are more upscale and exclusive. However, my personal favorite is still Tarangire Safari Lodge. In part, the unparalleled location, perched on a ridge with a view of a section of the Tarangire River, draws a constant flow of elephants.

I really enjoy the laid-back atmosphere that one could anticipate from a lodge that has had the same active owner-managers since its founding in 1985. Crucially, the oldest resort in Tarangire is in a superb location for wildlife drives, just a short distance from the Little Serengeti, a grassland area. There is a huge swimming pool and excellent bird watching on site.

4. Sopa Lodge Tarangire

Compared to other lodging options in the national park, Tarangire Sopa Lodge is quite unique. Containing 75 guest rooms, it is by far the largest of the Tarangire safari lodges. For anxious first-time safari visitors, its architectural solidity—structures made of bricks and tiles rather than canvas and thatch—makes it a comforting first choice.

The gorgeous pool area, the great selection of restaurants, and the ideal location for touring the park’s most consistently rewarding wildlife-viewing circuit are additional benefits.

5. Tarangire Nimali

Located in a private Maasai concession that borders the national park, Nimali is one of the most upscale and exclusive Tarangire safari camps. It is situated next to a riverbed that is bordered with baobab and acacia trees.

Ten hybrid tents with slate tile floors, earthy decor, modern bathrooms, and expansive private balconies make for incredibly roomy accommodations that are difficult to top. The dining room and swimming pool overlook a waterhole where elephants often come to drink. Game drives are easily accessible from Nimali, and the concession offers both walking safaris and night drives.

6. Swala Camp Sanctuary

Swala, a traditional safari lodge with twelve opulent tented units, is one of Tarangire’s most southern lodging alternatives. Nestled among towering acacia trees, it offers a view of the Gurusi Swamp and a tiny water feature that frequently draws lions, leopards, and elephants.

The remote setting away from the main game-drive circuit is something I adore. Although there is a lot of wildlife in the area, if you want to feel as though the park is all yours, this is one of the greatest spots to stay in Tarangire. Bush meals in a neighboring baobab grove are also a lot of fun.

7. Treetops of Elewana Tarangire

Elewana Tarangire Treetops is the place to go if you want your lodging to have a wow effect. This creative lodge, which is located in a private concession leased from a nearby Maasai community just outside the national park, seems like the backdrop of an African fairy tale. Nestled in the shade of an old baobab grove are luxurious cottages that resemble treehouses and are constructed of canvas and wood.

Elewana Tarangire Treetops is one of the greatest spots for honeymooners or newly arrived travelers to stay in Tarangire because of its roomy and fashionable accommodations. Additionally, a variety of other guided activities are available within the concession to complement day game drives in the national park. These include of excursions to Maasai villages, nighttime drives, strolling safaris, and sundowner cocktails on a neighboring hill.

8. Treetops Lodge Tarangire Kuro

This moderately sized lodge is in a prime site on a hill covered in baobab trees with a view of the Tarangire River, in the wildlife-rich center of the national park. The 25 opulent tents are each perched on a tall stilted platform with a sumptuous private veranda. A classic contemporary atmosphere is created by the combination of leather and wooden furnishings with elegant accents like clawfoot bathtubs and wicker basket seats.

9. The Camp of Oliver

At the upscale Oliver’s Camp in Asilia Africa, savor the basic conveniences of a classic safari. This innovative tiny camp, founded in 1992 by naturalist Paul Oliver, maintains an intimate wilderness atmosphere consistent with its environmentally conscious core principles. Oliver’s is able to provide a wide variety of activities that aren’t offered at the majority of other Tarangire safari camps and lodges because of its distance from the main safari circuit.

These include overnight fly camping, consistently enjoyable night drives, and professionally led walking safaris. The 10 thatch-shaded tented units at Oliver’s are roomy and opulent, with wide wooden balconies overlooking the surrounding plains, despite the fact that the establishment is obviously targeted at more daring tourists.

10. Tarangire’s Kuro Safari Camp

You will have high hopes for Kuro Tarangire if you have visited any of Nomad Tanzania’s other 13 camps. We don’t think you’ll be let down once you get there. There are just six opulent cottages in this premium Tarangire safari camp, and they are all constructed with wood, canvas, sisal, and thatch to create a warm, natural atmosphere. The creative food, well-led activities, and attentive service at Kuro, an all-inclusive establishment, all live up to Nomad Tanzania’s consistently high standards.