The most underrated of the four parks that comprise Tanzania's northern circuit, Tarangire is best known for the 100-strong elephant herds that congregate along the eponymous river during the dry season (July-November). But wildlife viewing is generally good, and the stark scenery—grassy hillsides studded with bulbous baobabs and red-earth termite mounds—makes it a worthwhile extension of a Serengeti safari any time of year. The park is serviced by two large lodges and two exclusive tented camps, as well as a number of newer lodges in the surrounding Maasai concessions. A worthy outing from Tarangire is to the proposed Maasai Escarpment Rock Art Sanctuary, which protects at least 200 separate panels of prehistoric rock art in the hills surrounding Kolo on the Dodoma Road. Begins about 275 mi/445 km northwest of Dar es Salaam.
