Night drives and walking safaris at Tarangire
A Tarangire night game drive and a walking safari are two ways to see the park beyond the standard day drive. Both take place in the park itself, so they are not limited to the areas next to it. What matters is how they are run: with an authorised ranger and on an approved set-up.
You cannot drive through the park at night on your own, and you cannot leave the vehicle whenever you like. The gates close at 6 p.m., and that time is not a permit to drive in the dark. Book a night drive or a walk through a safari operator or the place you stay, and ask what is included before you pay.
Our picks: Tarangire night drive options
Both trips name a night drive in Tarangire. One includes it, the other offers it as a paid add-on, so check which applies when you book.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day luxury safari with optional Tarangire night drive
- All park entry fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Private driver-guide
Days one and two are in Tarangire, then the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. The night game drive in Tarangire is an optional add-on and costs extra.
Check availability →
Tarangire overnight safari with night game drive
- Night game drive in Tarangire
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Flights from Zanzibar
Return flights from Zanzibar, one night in a lodge or tented camp on full board, and a Tarangire night drive. Confirm the night drive for your date when you book.
Check availability →Tarangire safaris with night and walking options
Safaris and tours that include Tarangire, with live prices and availability. Check the inclusions for night drives and walks.
Tarangire night game drive
What changes after dark.
A night game drive can show animals you rarely meet by day. The experience depends on the set-up of your operator, so ask about the start time, the length of the drive and the group size. Do not assume a fixed schedule. Departure times can change, and a night drive is not offered on every trip.
Because the park gates close at 6 p.m., a night drive has to be arranged in advance through an operator. Ask what the booking includes and how the activity fee is paid.
Tarangire walking safari
On foot with an authorised ranger.
A walking safari takes you out of the vehicle at an approved spot, with a ranger. You see tracks, plants, insects and smaller animals up close, and the ranger sets the route. Walking away from the marked stops without a ranger is not allowed. Short walks last 1 to 4 hours, and long walks run over 4 hours. Walking safaris are not a way to approach big animals, and the ranger decides when to move on or return to the vehicle.
| Activity | Adult, non-EAC and residents | Adult, EAC citizens | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night game drive | $50 | TZS 10,000 | $25 (age 5 to 15), TZS 5,000 (EAC) |
| Short walk, 1 to 4 hours | $20 | TZS 5,000 | From age 12: $10, TZS 2,500 (EAC) |
| Long walk, over 4 hours | $25 | TZS 10,000 | From age 12: $15, TZS 5,000 (EAC) |
| Guide, per group and day | $20 | TZS 5,000 | – |
EAC means citizens of the East African Community states. These are the amounts of the 2023/24 tariff, before tax, and current amounts may differ. Check the current amount before you book, and ask whether an activity fee is in the price of your safari. For most visitors, a night drive or a walk is a good add-on to a night near the park rather than the main reason to come. Ask the operator about age limits for younger children.
Balloon flights over Tarangire
Balloon flights over the park start at sunrise. They need good weather, so they are not available every day. The earlier park fee for a balloon flight was $40 per person and flight in the 2023/24 tariff, which is only one part of the price of the flight itself. The balloon operator sets the full price, and it is booked separately from a game drive.
After the flight, you continue on a normal game drive. Read the safari page for how a regular day runs.
Lake Burunge and the areas next to the park
Neighbouring areas have their own rules.
Burunge lies next to Tarangire and Lake Manyara, and Randilen lies next to Tarangire. They are separate wildlife management areas with their own management, so they are not additional gates of the national park. Some operators run night or walking activities in such areas. Rules and fees there are set separately, and the tariff of one area does not apply to another. Ask your operator which area the activity takes place in and what applies there.
Lake Burunge is a lake in Babati District. The Tarangire River flows north towards it. Do not confuse it with Lake Babati, which is covered on the Babati page, or with Lake Manyara, which has its own guide at Lake Manyara National Park. Swimming is not offered as an activity at the river, the swamps or Lake Burunge, and you should keep out of the water.
Rules for night drives and walks
Follow the ranger and the guide.
Stay with the ranger
Walks happen only with an authorised ranger. Follow the instructions at all times.
Stay in the vehicle
Leave the vehicle only at designated points. Do not step out to get a closer picture.
Do not disturb the animals
Do not feed or crowd the animals, and keep paths to water clear.
Insects and clothing
Tsetse flies occur in parts of the park. Wear covered clothing and use insect repellent, and bring drinking water.
Plan the rest of your Tarangire trip
Where to go next.
Tarangire night game drive: frequently asked questions
Are night drives allowed in Tarangire National Park?
Night drives and walking safaris are offered in the park itself. They run with an authorised ranger and an approved set-up. You cannot drive through the park at night on your own.
Can I walk in the park on my own?
No. Walks happen with an authorised ranger, and getting out of the vehicle away from the marked stops is not allowed.
How much does a night drive or a walk cost?
The 2023/24 tariff set $50 for an adult night drive and $20 or $25 for a walk, before tax. These are 2023/24 figures, so check the current amount before you book.
Is Burunge part of the national park?
No. Burunge and Randilen are separate areas next to the park, with their own management and rules.
Is this the official Tarangire website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) or any authority, and it is not run by a safari operator, lodge or camp.