What it is
A long park following the Tarangire River, with dense stands of baobab and swamps in the south. It sits on the road towards Ngorongoro, which is why it is usually first.
Why go
In the dry season the river is the only water for a long way, and elephants gather in herds of a hundred or more. Lesser kudu and fringe-eared oryx are here and not in the Serengeti.
When to go
June to October, strongly. Outside the dry season the animals disperse onto surrounding land and the park can feel empty — which is exactly why it is often sold as a one-night stop rather than a destination in its own right.
Most people stay 2 nights.
