Tarangire · Lairs
Elephants Lair
A small, all-inclusive tented lodge deep inside Tarangire National Park, 27 km from the main gate. Part of the Lairs collection.
Plan a safari with this lodge- Area
- Inside Tarangire National Park, 27 km from the main gate
- Style
- Tented lodge
- Rooms
- 4 Deluxe Tents, a Family Tent and a Villa with plunge pool, more planned
- Meals
- All-inclusive menu
- Facilities
- Pool, gym, yoga deck, Wi-Fi, spa planned
- Run by
- Lairs
Elephants Lair is a new tented lodge inside Tarangire National Park, about 27 km from the main gate. It belongs to Lairs, a small Tanzanian collection that also runs Jackals Lair in the central Serengeti and Gnus Lair near the Mara River in the north.
The lodge welcomed its first guests in 2026 with four Deluxe Tents, a Family Tent and a Villa, and the stay is all-inclusive. Four more Deluxe Tents and three more Villas are planned, so it will stay small even when finished. Being this far into the park means the drive from the gate is longer, but game drives start straight from the lodge, away from the busier area around the entrance.
What it's like
The rooms are Deluxe Tents, a Family Tent and a Villa. Each opens onto a private deck and has an indoor and an outdoor shower and a bathtub, and the beds can be set up as a king, twins or a triple. The Villa adds its own plunge pool and minibar. All rooms have Wi-Fi, a safe and tea and coffee.
The main area has a lounge, a restaurant and a pool where guests gather for sundowners. Between game drives there is a gym and a yoga deck, with a spa planned, and the lodge can set up bush breakfasts and private dinners away from the main area. On our safaris you explore the park with your own private guide and vehicle.
Getting there
Times are best estimates. The 27 km from the gate is the lodge's own figure and is driven on park tracks, so allow extra time, and more for game viewing on the way.
Park fees
Elephants Lair is inside Tarangire National Park, so park entry fees and a nightly park fee for staying inside the park apply for every night here. We include both as separate lines in your quote, and current figures are on our park fees page. See Tanzania park fees.
Who it suits
A good fit for
- Two or more nights in Tarangire away from the busier gate area
- Couples and families who want a small lodge with a pool
- A private villa with its own plunge pool
Look elsewhere for
- A single night on the way to the Serengeti, as the lodge is a long way into the park
- Travellers keeping costs down, as staying inside the park carries a nightly park fee
When to go
Tarangire is at its best in the dry season from June to October, when elephants and other wildlife gather along the Tarangire River. From November the rains turn the park green and many animals spread out beyond the park, but the resident elephants and birdlife stay.
Common questions
Where is Elephants Lair?
It is inside Tarangire National Park, about 27 km from the main gate. The main gate is about two hours by road from Arusha.
Is Elephants Lair open?
Yes. Elephants Lair welcomed its first guests in 2026.
How many rooms does Elephants Lair have?
It opened with four Deluxe Tents, a Family Tent and a Villa with its own plunge pool. The lodge plans to add four more Deluxe Tents and three more Villas.
Does Elephants Lair have a pool?
Yes. There is a pool at the main area, along with a gym and a yoga deck. A spa is planned.
How much does a stay at Elephants Lair cost?
It depends on the season and the rest of your route. We can quote the stay on its own or as part of a full safari quote with the vehicle, guide and park fees included. Send us your dates and we will cost it properly.
Other places to stay in Tarangire
Baobab Tented Camp, Conserve Safari Tarangire, Siringit Tarangire Camp, Nyikani Tarangire Camp, Ang'ata Tarangire Camp, Tarangire Tortilis Camp.
See all lodges and campsSources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
Fees, rules and official guidance can change at short notice. Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source on the date below and rechecked on a regular schedule.
- Lairs official website, Elephants Lair page (location, rooms, facilities, activities, photos) (checked 4 November 2026)
- Lairs reservations team, email to Saleh Safaris (current rooms, opening dates, meal plan) (received 4 November 2026)
- Saleh Safaris route and drive-time notes (operator observation) (drive times are ranges, conditions vary)
Saleh Safaris is an independent safari operator based in Arusha. This is our own guide to Elephants Lair, not the lodge's official website.