EXPLORER NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS 2026
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1 – Elewana Tarangire Treetops (Tarangire Area) FB
Your day: Depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire, a park renowned for its immense baobabs and some of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds. Enjoy a game drive en route through the community wildlife area and into the private conservancy where Treetops is situated.
Check into your spacious, stilted “treehouse” suite with a private balcony overlooking the bush. End the day with sundowners by the pool and dinner under the African sky while wildlife visits the nearby waterhole.
Day 2 – Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp (Central Serengeti) FB
Your day: After breakfast, head north via the Ngorongoro highlands into the legendary Serengeti. Optionally stop at Olduvai Gorge (supplement applies) before dropping down onto the great plains, home to lions, cheetahs, leopards and vast herds of grazers.
Arrive at Pioneer Camp, tucked among the Moru Kopjes, with sweeping views across the central plains. This 1930s-inspired tented camp offers an authentic, old-school safari atmosphere with modern comfort and superb predator viewing.
Pioneer’s location near the Moru Kopjes makes it an excellent year-round base for resident big cats and classic Serengeti scenery. When to consider Migration Camp instead?
- Late May – June: When herds cluster in the Western Corridor near the Grumeti River.
- November: During the short northbound migration movements.
Day 3 – Serengeti Pioneer Camp (Full Day Safari) FB
Your day: Spend a full day exploring the Central Serengeti. Depending on the season, you’ll track lions along the river lines, scan kopjes for leopards, and follow cheetahs across the open plains. Your guide will design the day around the conditions and your interests.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush or return to camp to rest during the heat of the day, before heading back out for golden-hour game viewing. Evenings at Pioneer are all about campfire storytelling, stargazing, and the romance of canvas living.
Day 4 – Elewana The Manor (Ngorongoro Area) FB
Your day: After breakfast, drive via the highlands to the verdant coffee estates near Ngorongoro, where The Manor sits in a beautiful Cape Dutch-style setting.
Spend the afternoon relaxing on the grounds, enjoying high tea, horse riding (optional) or simply unwinding by the fireplace. This is your most indulgent night of the trip — a gentle contrast to the wildness of the parks.
Day 5 – Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha HB/BB
Your day: Leave early for a full morning game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for dense concentrations of wildlife, including the Big Five.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot in the crater before ascending the rim and driving back to Arusha, where your Northern Highlights Explorer safari concludes.
Rates (USD) — Per Person
| Travel Dates (2026) | 1 pax (incl. SRS) | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan – 28 Feb | $6,400 | $4,000 | $3,400 | $3,100 | $2,900 | $2,700 |
| 01 – 31 Mar | $6,400 | $4,000 | $3,400 | $3,100 | $2,900 | $2,700 |
| 01 Apr – 26 May | $6,000 | $3,700 | $3,100 | $2,700 | $2,500 | $2,400 |
| 27 May – 26 Jun | $6,400 | $4,000 | $3,400 | $3,100 | $2,900 | $2,700 |
| 27 Jun – 31 Oct | $6,400 | $4,000 | $3,400 | $3,100 | $2,900 | $2,700 |
| 01 Nov – 15 Dec | $6,200 | $3,900 | $3,200 | $2,900 | $2,700 | $2,600 |
| 16 – 31 Dec | $6,400 | $4,000 | $3,400 | $3,100 | $2,900 | $2,700 |
Christmas & New Year: +$35 per person per night (1 Jan, 24–26 Dec, 31 Dec).
Easter (4 nights): +$35 per person per night.
What’s Included
- Accommodation as per itinerary (Elewana Tarangire Treetops • Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp • Elewana The Manor)
- All road transfers and shared game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-/French-/German-speaking driver-guide (one vehicle/guide for the safari)
- Park fees, concession fees and Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
- Full Board meal plan on safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Guaranteed window seats (max 6 guests per vehicle)
- On-board equipment (fridge, wildlife books, first-aid kit, HF radio, fire extinguisher)
- All applicable VAT and government levies
What’s Excluded
- Personal items (laundry, telephone, premium drinks, spa treatments)
- Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- International and domestic flights plus related taxes
- Visa fees (typically US $50 pp; US passport holders US $100)
- Optional excursions (balloon safaris, cultural visits, Olduvai Gorge, etc.)
- Flying Doctors / medical evacuation cover (optional, approx. US $50 pp / 14 days)
- Airport transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport (unless specifically added)
- Comprehensive travel insurance
Transfers
Good to Know
Packing: Neutral clothing, warm layers for Ngorongoro, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and soft-sided luggage.
Power & Wi-Fi: 230V, British 3-pin plugs (Type G). Wi-Fi is usually available in main areas but can be intermittent.
Tipping: As a guideline, US $15–20 per guest per day for your guide. Lodge staff gratuities at your discretion.
Wildlife: Sightings can never be guaranteed, but Elewana’s locations offer some of Tanzania’s richest year-round game viewing.
Your Vehicle
Explorer safaris use specially adapted 4×4 vehicles designed for comfort and viewing.
- Maximum 6 guests per vehicle — all window seats
- Pop-up roof for photography and 360° viewing
- On-board fridge with chilled drinking water
- Charging points for phones and cameras (subject to vehicle configuration)
- HF radio for communication and enhanced safety
Optional Extras
These can be added on request (subject to availability and season):
- Hot-air balloon safari (Serengeti)
- Zanzibar or Mafia Island beach extension
- Private photographic guide
- Cultural visits around Ngorongoro / Karatu
- Horse riding at The Manor or additional walking safaris
Travel Information
About Tanzania
Tanzania offers some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes and wildlife. From the baobab valleys of Tarangire to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the volcanic bowl of Ngorongoro, it is a classic safari destination with rich culture and diverse ecosystems.
Banking & Currency
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Common Notes: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000
ATMs: Available in major towns and cities
Cards Accepted: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in lodges and hotels (Amex/Diners vary)
Travel & Transport
- Driving: Left-hand side
- Main Airports: Julius Nyerere International (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International (near Arusha), Zanzibar Airport
- Domestic Flights: Regular services into Serengeti, Manyara, Tarangire and Zanzibar airstrips
- Ferries: Services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar / Pemba
Food & Water Safety
- Tap water: Not recommended for drinking — use bottled or filtered water.
- Fruit & vegetables: Safe when washed/peeled and provided by reputable lodges.
- Street food: Best avoided unless you are with a trusted local host.
Climate & Weather
- Dry Season: June–October (prime wildlife viewing)
- Short Rains: November–December
- Long Rains: March–May (some camps close or offer lower rates)
- Temperatures: Roughly 15–30°C depending on altitude and time of year
Clothing Recommendations
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, beige, olive)
- Warm layers for Ngorongoro and early morning game drives
- Comfortable closed shoes / trainers
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and high SPF sunblock
- Light rain jacket during the rainy seasons
Electricity
- Plug type: Type D & G (as in the UK)
- Voltage: 230V / 50Hz
Elewana Tarangire Treetops Lodge
Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp
Elewana The Manor Ngorongoro
Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
