Thinking of going on safari during your trip to Tanzania and hesitating between Serengeti National Park and Tarangire? Here's everything you need to know about both parks to help you decide.

What to expect on a safari at Serengeti National Park?

Where is Serengeti National Park located?

The Serengeti National Park is located in north-central Tanzanie, in the Mara and Simiyu regions, on the Serengeti plains.

What animals can be seen at Serengeti National Park?

Covering an area of 14,763 km², Serengeti National Park is one of the most wildlife-rich parks on the continent. In total, there are no fewer than 4 million animals across the different zones of the park. It's also one of the rare parks where you can observe the Big 5, namely lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and black rhinoceros.

Serengeti National Park is also renowned for one of nature's most spectacular phenomena: the great migration. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebras and Thomson's gazelles move between Tanzanie and Kenya in search of fresh water and grazing grounds. This is the largest herd of herbivores on the planet.

Beyond the Big 5 and its large herbivores, the park is also home to many iconic African species such as impalas, striped hyenas, giraffes, Grant's gazelles, topis, kongonis, cheetahs, leopards, servals, baboons, Nile crocodiles and tortoises.

Finally, the Serengeti is also a paradise for bird watchers: more than 500 bird species have been recorded there, including many migratory and endemic species. Among the bird species you can observe are Fisher's lovebird (an endemic species), the Kori bustard (the largest flying bird on the continent), the red-billed hornbill (featured in The Lion King as Zazu), numerous raptors (the golden eagle, Rüppell's vulture...) and many more!

What landscapes can be seen at Serengeti National Park?

Translated from Maasai as "endless plains," Serengeti National Park certainly lives up to its name! The park features vast plains stretching to the horizon, particularly in its southern section. But don't be fooled by appearances—the park's landscapes aren't limited to simple savanna expanses; they're also dotted with rocky ridges and hills (called kopjes), wooded areas and rivers.

What is the best time to go on safari at Serengeti National Park?

It's possible to go on safari at Serengeti National Park year-round. For a mild and dry climate, we recommend visiting between May and October. To see the great migration phenomenon, it's best to go between January and July. Note that the calving season takes place in February and river crossings occur in June for the Grumeti River and in July/August for the Mara River.

How to get to Serengeti National Park?

You can reach Serengeti National Park by plane from Kilimanjaro Airport or by car from the town of Arusha (approximately 8 hours of driving) or from Ngorongoro (approximately 5 hours of driving).

What to expect on a safari at Tarangire National Park?

Where is Tarangire National Park located?

Located in the Manyara region and bordered to the west by the eastern edge of the African rift, Tarangire National Park is one of the finest safaris in northern Tanzanie. 

What animals can be seen at Tarangire National Park? 

At only 2,850 km², the Tarangire National Park is much smaller than the Serengeti. Yet the park is home to rich and varied wildlife. It's particularly renowned as a refuge for large African mammals, especially for its impressive elephant population (this is the world's largest elephant population with approximately 2,500 individuals grouped into several herds).

In addition to being the kingdom of elephants, Tarangire also hosts predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, caracals, jackals, spotted hyenas... While less impressive than in the Serengeti, the park also welcomes a migration phenomenon, particularly in the Tarangire River area where wildebeest, zebras and antelopes move every year.

Another distinctive feature of Tarangire National Park: the presence of several rare animals such as the gerenuk, the long-necked gazelle (giraffe gazelle), and the oryx.

Finally, the park is also an ideal location for observing migratory birds. More than 500 bird species have been recorded there. During a safari, you can see, among others, the red and yellow barbet, the steller's sea eagle, the red-bellied parrot, the African grey flycatcher, Von der Decken's hornbill, as well as endemic species such as the grey-headed sunbird, the rufous-tailed weaver or the masked lovebird.

What landscapes can be seen at Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire National Park offers vast landscapes of rolling plains and wooded savannas. It's renowned for the presence of a majestic tree: the baobab. True emblems of the park, baobabs abound particularly in the northern part of the park. There are also many acacias as well as various types of ferns. In the south of the park, the landscapes are more swampy. Furthermore, the only water source that crosses the park is the Tarangire River, which gave its name to the park.

What is the best time to go on safari at Tarangire National Park?

Like the Serengeti, visits are possible year-round. However, we recommend that travelers go on safari at Tarangire during the dry season which runs from June to October. It's during this period that the animal migration occurs as they gather around the Tarangire River to drink.

How to get to Tarangire National Park?

Located just 118 km by road southwest of Arusha, Tanzanie's most tourist-friendly region, Tarangire Park is super easy to access. Expect approximately 2 hours of driving from Arusha. It's also possible to reach the park by air by flying to Kilimanjaro Airport, located 46 km from Arusha.

In conclusion: which to choose between Serengeti and Tarangire?

Why choose Serengeti National Park for a safari?

Here are all the reasons that might prompt you to choose Serengeti National Park for a safari in Tanzanie:

• To try to see the famous Big 5;

• To witness the great migration phenomenon as you won't see it anywhere else;

• For a family trip to Tanzanie : the park allows you to truly immerse yourself in the Lion King's realm, sure to dazzle children and adults alike;

• For a honeymoon: the park offers several options (with lodge accommodations) to captivate newlyweds on their honeymoon;

• For a multi-day safari: as one of the parks furthest from the airport, it's worth planning at least 2-3 days on-site to fully enjoy it.

Why choose Tarangire National Park for a safari?

Here are all the reasons that might prompt you to choose Tarangire National Park for a safari in Tanzanie:

• To see Africa's largest elephant population;

• To see rare animals you won't find elsewhere on safari;

• To get off the beaten path and enjoy a safari in an authentic and more intimate setting (the park is less crowded than the Serengeti);

• For a short safari: located close to the airport and the town of Arusha, the park is easily accessible, allowing you to visit it in a single day or two if you're short on time;

• For a safari on a tighter budget: the ability to visit it in a day allows for cost savings;

• For a family safari: while the number of animals is smaller than the Serengeti, the park's wildlife remains quite dense. It allows you to feast your eyes for a day and is therefore ideal when traveling to Tanzanie with children. 

Why choose when you can do both?

If you have enough time and your budget allows, don't hesitate and combine both parks! Located 5 hours apart by car, you can easily organize your trip to discover these two natural jewels. And for more comfortable budgets, you can even reach the parks even faster thanks to charter flight connections between the two parks. Feel free to contact us to organize your stay!