Safari Overview
Every year from December to March, over a million wildebeest gather on the Ndutu plains to give birth. Hundreds of thousands of calves arrive in just a few weeks. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow. This 7-day safari puts you at the heart of the greatest show in Africa.
How the Trip Flows
The route is built to reach Ndutu with the herds at their peak. Tarangire and the crater warm the trip up, then two nights on the calving plains put you inside the spectacle from first light. Off-road driving in Ndutu means your guide parks beside the action, not near it. The trip then pushes north into the central Serengeti for big cats before the flight or drive home. Every day is placed with the season in mind. See the itinerary tab for the complete day-by-day plan.
Where You Will Stay
Nights include Tarangire Kati Kati, Ngorongoro Farm House, two nights at Ndutu Kati Kati right on the plains, and Serengeti Kati Kati in the park’s center. Upgrade to Ndutu Under Canvas or Masek Tented Lodge for extra luxury.
Safari Highlights
Watch a wildebeest calf stand within minutes of birth. Follow cheetahs hunting in open country. Enjoy off-road driving allowed only in the Ndutu area. Add the crater’s rhinos and lions to the list.
Best Time to Go
Travel between December and March. February usually brings the most births and the most drama. Book early, as camps fill fast.
Who This Safari Suits
A dream trip for photographers, wildlife lovers and anyone chasing the migration’s beginning.
Good to Know
Calving season camps sell out months ahead, so book early for February. Off-road driving in Ndutu means dusty, bumpy and unforgettable days — bring a bandana and a good camera. The trip includes all park and crater fees, full board and a private guide. Add a light flight from Ndutu back to Arusha to skip the return drive. Photographers can request a specialist guide and a window seat for every drive.
Safari Highlights
- Wildebeest calving season in Ndutu
- Newborn calves and hunting cheetahs
- Off-road game viewing
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Two nights on the calving plains
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Drive two hours from Arusha and spend a full afternoon among Tarangire's elephants and baobabs. Sleep inside the park, where lion calls carry through the night.
Day 2: Tarangire to Karatu
Enjoy a morning game drive along the Tarangire River, then travel to the green highlands of Karatu. Spend the afternoon at leisure at your coffee-farm lodge, or add a village walk.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater to Ndutu
Descend into the crater at dawn for a morning tour of its dense wildlife. After a picnic lunch, continue across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Ndutu plains, arriving among the herds by late afternoon.
Day 4: Full Day on the Ndutu Plains
Spend the whole day with the calving herds. Off-road driving is allowed here, so your guide can position you beside newborn calves and hunting cheetahs. Picnic in the bush and stay out until the light fades.
Day 5: Ndutu to the Central Serengeti
One more morning among the wildebeest, then drive north onto the Serengeti's endless plains. Game-drive your way to camp through the afternoon.
Day 6: Central Serengeti
A full day in the Seronera Valley, home to Africa's most reliable lions and leopards. Morning and afternoon drives, with a bush picnic in between.
Day 7: Serengeti to Arusha
Enjoy a short sunrise drive, then either fly from Seronera airstrip to Arusha or make the scenic drive back through the highlands.
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
- All park and crater fees
- Ndutu off-road permits
- Private 4x4
- Professional driver-guide
- Full board
- 2 nights on the Ndutu plains
- Drinking water
- Airport transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Drinks at lodges
- Optional balloon safari