Tarangire National Park

Tarangire, about two hours from Arusha, is often the first park on a northern Tanzania safari, and one of the most underrated. Its landscape is unmistakable: rolling savannah dotted with ancient baobab trees, their huge grey trunks rising above the grass.

In the dry season, from June to October, the Tarangire River becomes the main source of water for miles around, and elephants gather in large herds alongside zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, giraffes and the lions that follow them. The park is also rich in birdlife.

A full day here, or a night in a lodge overlooking the river, gives you time for both morning and afternoon drives. Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in wooded areas, so wear light-coloured clothing and avoid dark blue and black.