EXPLORER NORTHERN CIRCUIT 2026

Tarangire • Central Serengeti • Ngorongoro Crater • 7 Days / 6 Nights
Explorer Tier Elewana Collection Full Board (FB)

Overview

A refined, immersive Northern Circuit safari through three of Tanzania’s most iconic parks. This Explorer-tier itinerary uses the Elewana Collection — boutique properties known for exceptional service, character-rich design, and some of the most atmospheric locations in the country.

Enjoy treehouse-style living in Tarangire, vintage safari elegance in the Serengeti, and old-world manor charm at Ngorongoro. Professional guides, flexible routing, and comfortable 4×4 vehicles make this a seamless safari for couples, friends, or families seeking a premium experience without stepping into ultra-luxury territory.

Primary Lodges:
Elewana Tarangire Treetops (2 nights) • Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp (2 nights) • Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro (1 night)

Alternate Serengeti Option:
Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
— ideal during the Western Corridor migration (late May–July) and the short northbound movement (November).

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tarangire Treetops (Tarangire National Park) FB
Stay: Elewana Tarangire Treetops — Treehouse Suite

Your day: Depart Arusha in the afternoon and travel to Tarangire, a park famed for its baobab-studded hills and vast elephant herds. Upon arrival, enjoy a short game drive en-route to Tarangire Treetops, set in a private sanctuary bordering the park.

Check into your elevated “treehouse” suite and unwind with sweeping views over the hills and waterholes below. A warm welcome, soft lantern light, and the evening sounds of the bush set the tone for your Elewana journey.

Included: Road transfer from Arusha • Park fees • Dinner
Day 3 – Tarangire Treetops (Tarangire National Park) FB
Stay: Elewana Tarangire Treetops — Treehouse Suite

Your day: Enjoy a full day of guided game drives through Tarangire, exploring river lines, woodlands, and wide savannah plains where elephants, lions, buffalo, and over 500 bird species thrive.

Return to Treetops for a slow, atmospheric evening — perhaps a dip in the pool overlooking the waterhole, followed by a bush dinner or sundowners under the baobabs.

Included: Full-day game drives • All meals • Park fees
Day 6 – Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp (Central Serengeti) FB
Stay: Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp — Tented Suite

Your day: After breakfast, drive north into the world-famous Serengeti, optionally stopping at Olduvai Gorge (additional cost). Continue through the central plains — home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, large buffalo herds, and dramatic granite kopjes.

Arrive at Pioneer Camp, a nostalgic 1930s-style retreat tucked among the Moru Kopjes. With sweeping views and rich wildlife all around, it offers exceptional year-round game viewing.

Included: Road transfer • All meals • Park fees
Alternate Lodge Option — Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
Recommended for travel during:
  • Late May – July: Western Corridor migration near the Grumeti River
  • November: Short northbound migration
Located beside the Grumeti River, Migration Camp offers one of the best seats for seasonal wildlife movements, with dramatic river scenery and dense hippo activity.

Available at similar rates — please request this adjustment based on your travel dates.

Rates (USD) — Per Person

Prices include a 20% uplift on 2026 net rates and are rounded up to the nearest hundred • Full Board • Elewana Collection Lodges
Travel Dates (2026) 1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax
04 Jan – 31 Mar $10,600 $7,100 $6,600 $6,400 $6,300 $6,200
01 Apr – 25 May $8,200 $5,500 $5,100 $4,800 $4,700 $4,600
26 May – 30 Jun $10,600 $7,100 $6,600 $6,400 $6,300 $6,200
01 Jul – 31 Oct $11,000 $7,500 $7,100 $6,900 $6,800 $6,700
01 Nov – 19 Dec $9,900 $6,600 $6,200 $5,900 $5,800 $5,700
20 Dec – 03 Jan $11,000 $7,500 $7,100 $6,900 $6,800 $6,700
Festive Supplements:
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 Pioneer Camp • Elewana The Manor)
  • All road transfers and game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-/French-/German-speaking driver-guides
  • All park and concession fees
  • Full Board meal plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • VAT and government levies
  • Guaranteed window seats (max 6 pax per vehicle)
  • On-board equipment (fridge, wildlife books, first-aid kit, HF radio, fire extinguisher)

What’s Excluded

  • Personal items (laundry, telephone, internet outside lodge Wi-Fi)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages unless stated
  • International/domestic flights and taxes
  • Visa fees (US $50 pp; US passport holders US $100)
  • Optional activities (balloon safaris, cultural visits, etc.)
  • Flying Doctors cover (optional, ~$50 pp / 14 days)
  • Airport transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport

Transfers

Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire Treetops (Private road transfer)
Day 3: Tarangire Treetops → Serengeti Pioneer Camp (Private road transfer)
Day 6: Pioneer Camp → The Manor at Ngorongoro (Private road transfer)
Day 7: The Manor → Arusha City (Private road transfer)
Good to Know

Packing: Neutral clothes, warm layers for Ngorongoro, comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, and soft bags.

Power & Wi-Fi: 230V, British 3-pin plugs. Wi-Fi available in common areas but may be intermittent.

Tipping: Around US $15–20 per guest per day for your guide. Staff gratuities at your discretion.

Wildlife: Wildlife is wild — sightings vary, but Lemala regions offer some of East Africa’s richest game viewing.

Your Vehicle

Signature safaris use premium 4×4 vehicles with enhanced comfort, visibility, and amenities.

Signature Safari Vehicle

  • Seating capacity: max 6 guests
  • Reclining seats with extra legroom
  • Onboard fridge with chilled drinks
  • Individual charging ports
  • Pop-up roof for photography
Optional Extras

Add-on experiences available on request (rates depend on season and availability):

  • Hot-air balloon safari (Serengeti)
  • Zanzibar beach extension
  • Private photographic guide
  • Cultural visits in Ngorongoro
  • Walking safaris (Tarangire/Ngorongoro)

Travel Information

About Tanzania

Tanzania offers some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes and wildlife. From the Serengeti’s endless plains to the misty forests of Ngorongoro and the baobabs of Tarangire, it is a natural paradise shaped by culture, history, and biodiversity.

Banking & Currency

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

Common Notes: 500 • 1,000 • 2,000 • 5,000 • 10,000

ATMs: Available in major cities

Cards Accepted: Visa, Mastercard (Amex/Diners vary)

Travel & Transport

  • Driving: Left-hand side
  • Main Airports: JNIA (Dar es Salaam), KIA (near Arusha), Zanzibar Airport
  • Domestic Flights: Good connectivity to Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara, Zanzibar
  • Ferries: Reliable services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar

Food & Water Safety

  • Tap water: Not recommended for drinking
  • Fresh fruit/veg: Safe when washed/hotel provided
  • Ice: Avoid outside major lodges
  • Street food: Not recommended

Climate & Weather

  • Dry Season: Jun–Oct (best wildlife viewing)
  • Short Rains: Nov–Dec
  • Long Rains: Mar–May
  • Avg Temps: 15°C–30°C depending on altitude

Clothing Recommendations

  • Neutral colours (khaki, beige, olive)
  • Warm layer for Ngorongoro evenings
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, sunblock
  • Rain jacket (Nov–Dec & Mar–May)

Electricity

  • Plug type: Type D & G (same as UK)
  • Voltage: 230V / 50Hz