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Ndutu Calving Season Safari Experience (Southern Serengeti)
Private Tanzania Safari

Ndutu Calving Season Safari Experience (Southern Serengeti)

Celebrate the season of new life as thousands of wildebeest calves are born across the Ndutu plains, attracting incredible predator action.

Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area 6 Days / 5 Nights From $3,850 USD
Plan This Safari WhatsApp an Expert
Destination Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Duration 6 Days / 5 Nights
Starting Price $3,850 USD
Travel Style Private & Custom
Safari Overview

Your Journey Through Tanzania

Treat this itinerary as a strong starting point. Travel dates, accommodation style, group size, pickup point, and daily pace can be adjusted with your safari specialist.

The 6 Days Calving Season Safari offers a deeper and more relaxed exploration of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife regions during the Great Migration calving season. This extended itinerary allows you to fully immerse yourself in the dramatic natural events unfolding across the southern Serengeti while enjoying comfort, expert guidance, and authentic safari experiences.

Your safari begins in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti, where from December to March vast herds of wildebeest gather to give birth. Over several days of game drives, you will have exceptional opportunities to witness newborn calves, massive herds, and intense predator activity involving lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The slower pace of this itinerary allows for better wildlife viewing, photography, and a deeper connection with the African wilderness

Safari map

The journey through Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The day-by-day itinerary below is the source of truth for the actual route. This visual shows the travel rhythm from arrival through the safari circuit and onward to your final stay or extension.

ARRIVALSAFARI CIRCUITWILDLIFE DAYSFINAL STAY / EXTENSION

Destinations: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Pricing & booking

Choose group or private, then confirm the final price.

The current starting point is $3,850 USD. Dates, accommodation level, traveler count, room setup, and route adjustments determine the final written quote.

Group safari request

Share the number of travelers and preferred dates. We will confirm the suitable vehicle plan, room arrangement, and any available group value.

Request group booking

Private safari request

Keep the vehicle and daily rhythm for your own party, with more flexibility for stops, photography, family needs, and combinations.

Request private booking
Day by Day

Safari Itinerary

Follow the route day by day, with time for game drives, changing landscapes, comfortable arrivals, and guidance from your local team.

Day 1

Arrive in Arusha

You will arrive at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) where you will be warmly welcomed by your driver guide. Afterward, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha, where you can enjoy dinner and relax overnight. A pre-safari briefing will also be held to prepare you for the adventure ahead

Day 2

Arusha – Southern Serengeti.

Early in the morning, after breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight to the Ndutu area, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at the southern edge of the Serengeti ecosystem. The drive from your hotel to Arusha Airport is approximately 8 km and takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Upon arrival at Ndutu Airstrip (flight time is approximately 1 hour), you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide and begin your first exciting game drive in the southern Serengeti. This region is particularly famous between December and March as it hosts part of the Great Migration, with massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles giving birth and grazing on the nutrient-rich plains.
You will spend the day exploring the Ndutu plains and surrounding woodlands, observing wildlife in their natural habitat and capturing stunning views of the vast savannah. In the late afternoon, you’ll drive to your specially arranged safari camp for some well-deserved relaxation. Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars followed by an overnight stay in the heart of the wilderness.
Estimated driving distance (game drive within the park): 30–80 km depending on wildlife movement
Game viewing duration: 4–6 hours

Day 3

Southern Serengeti

Wake up surrounded by the breathtaking wilderness of the southern Serengeti’s Ndutu area! After an early breakfast, you’ll set off for another exciting day of game drives.
During this time of year, the Ndutu plains are lush and green, providing fresh grazing grounds for the massive herds of wildebeest. Many of them remain here, feeding on the rich grasses and continuing to give birth to their young. This period is not only crucial for the survival of the wildebeest calves but also a spectacular sight, as the landscape is dotted with new life.
Predators are ever-present, aware that this is a time of abundance, and you may witness dramatic scenes of survival and instinct. The cycle of life plays out vividly here, making the Ndutu area one of the best spots to witness nature at its rawest.
You’ll carry packed lunch to maximize your time in the bush, continuing to explore different areas throughout the day. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge/camp for dinner and another overnight stay under the Serengeti skies

Day 4

Southern Serengeti

you will spend the full day enjoying extended game drives and in-depth exploration of the Southern Serengeti Ndutu area. This region, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and bordering the Serengeti National Park, is especially famous during the calving season when thousands of wildebeest gather here between December and March. With its open plains, acacia woodlands, and seasonal soda lakes, Ndutu offers excellent opportunities for spotting large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, as well as predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The day will be unhurried and flexible, allowing you to follow wildlife activity, capture stunning photographs, and fully immerse yourself in the wilderness experience. You will cover approximately 80 to 100 kilometers throughout the day, with around 5 to 6 hours spent on game drives, including breaks for bush meals or a picnic lunch in the wild. In the evening, return to your camp or lodge in Ndutu for dinner and overnight stay under the stars of the Serengeti sky

Day 5

Southern Serengeti – Karatu Town (Crater Highlands).

After an early breakfast, you will depart from the Southern Serengeti Ndutu area and begin your journey toward Karatu town, enjoying a game drive en route. The drive takes you through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering spectacular views of the crater from various viewpoints along the way. The distance from Ndutu to Karatu is approximately 150 kilometers and typically takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on wildlife sightings and road conditions. You will carry a picnic lunch to enjoy during a break along the way. This final day of safari allows for one last memorable game drive experience as you explore the rich landscapes and wildlife of the southern plains before ascending toward the crater highlands. Upon arrival in Karatu, you will proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay, marking the end of your unforgettable safari adventure

Day 6

Karatu Town – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

after an early breakfast at your lodge in Karatu, you will depart toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located about 20 kilometers away, which takes roughly 30 minutes by drive. Upon arrival at the crater rim, you will descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater—one of the largest intact volcanic calderas on earth—for a full day of game drives and exploration. With your packed lunch, you'll enjoy a picnic inside the crater while surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a rich diversity of wildlife, including the possibility of spotting the Big Five. After exploring the crater floor, you will ascend back to the crater rim in the afternoon and begin your journey back to Arusha, a drive of approximately 190 kilometers taking around 4 to 5 hours. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will proceed to the airport to catch your international flight onward, marking the end of your safari experience.
End of Itinerary

Included

What your safari includes

Review the confirmed services carefully so transport, guiding, park arrangements, meals, and accommodation are clear before booking.

  • All transport, 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
  • Hotel and lodge accommodation
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Services of various local guides
  • All National Park entrance and camp site fees
  • All food - breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals
  • Donations and payments to local community projects
  • Flight from Arusha to Southern Ndutu Area
Not Included

Items to plan separately

We will also point out any flights, insurance, visas, tips, personal costs, or optional activities that sit outside the package.

  • International flights
  • Local Flight from Seronera to Zanzibar
  • Travel and personal accident insurance
  • Visa, passport, vaccinations, and medicines
  • Tips
  • Expenditure on personal bar bills (including all additional drinks), souvenirs, personal items
Visual Journey

Safari Gallery

Ndutu Calving Season Safari Experience (Southern Serengeti)
Ndutu Calving Season Safari Experience (Southern Serengeti)
Start Planning

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Send this package with your dates, group size, pickup point, preferred comfort, and questions. We will guide the route, accommodation, availability, and final quote.

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