7 days great migration calving season dec-march

Package Price

$1814 PP (USD)

 

Summary

This 7-day safari itinerary focuses on the calving season in southern Serengeti and Ndutu, an extraordinary time when the plains come alive with the birth of wildebeest, zebras, and other grazers. You’ll witness dramatic predator-prey interactions, with lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunting the vulnerable newborns. The journey takes you to Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Ndutu region of Serengeti, allowing for a comprehensive safari experience with a particular focus on wildlife births. This itinerary offers a unique opportunity to see nature’s cycle unfold in one of the most spectacular settings in the world.

1 Day

Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania

On your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your safari guide, who will provide a brief introduction to your upcoming adventure. From the airport, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha, the gateway to the Tanzanian safari circuit. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have some leisure time to relax, refresh, and prepare for the adventure ahead. You may wish to explore the town or simply enjoy the serene environment of your hotel. In the evening, a detailed safari briefing will take place, where you’ll learn about the exciting calving season you’re about to experience. Dinner will be served at the hotel, and you’ll have a restful night before setting out on safari the next day.

 

Accommodation: Mount meru hotel

>Luxury hotel located in or near Arusha

Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense

>Drinks not included

 

2 Day

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, your adventure begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, and once you arrive, you will be immersed in the wildlife-filled landscapes of this unique park. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, striking baobab trees, and high concentrations of wildlife, especially during the calving season. As you enter the park, you’ll embark on your first game drive, where the young animals born recently in the calving season are often visible. Tarangire also offers a variety of other wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, lions, and buffalo. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to your lodge for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

 

Accommodation;
Lake Manyara Safari Glamping.

 

Meals & Drinks; All meals included

>All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

3 Day

Lake Manyara National Park

Today, you will journey to Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 2 hours drive), known for its beautiful scenery and diverse ecosystems, ranging from forest to open plains and lakeshore. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and the vast array of birdlife that inhabits the lake. As you explore the park, you’ll encounter herds of buffalo, giraffes, and wildebeest, as well as the unique phenomenon of the many calves that are born during this time of year. The lake’s shores and surrounding woodlands are often rich with wildlife, making this a great day to observe the newborn animals and their protective mothers. After an exciting day of game viewing, the group will return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest.

 

Accommodation
Rhino Lodge

 

Meals & drinks; All meals included
>All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

4 Day

: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you’ll travel to the Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours drive), one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. This enormous caldera, which was once a massive volcano, is home to a thriving population of wildlife, including a significant number of rhinos. During the calving season, the crater floor is often teeming with young animals, such as wildebeest and zebras, which are protected by the caldera’s walls. The group will enjoy a half-day game drive in the crater, where you’ll see predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, all of which are drawn to the newborns. After your game drive, you’ll return to your lodge on the crater rim, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular views before dinner.

 

Accommodation:
Rhino Lodge

Meals & Drinks; All meals included

>All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

5 Day

Ngorongoro Crater – Ndutu (SOUTHERN SERENGETI)

This morning, you’ll head toward the Ndutu area (about 2-3 hours drive), located in the southern Serengeti, which is famous for its calving season. The Ndutu region, part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, becomes an incredible spectacle of wildlife as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras converge here to give birth. During the calving season, which takes place between January and March, the area becomes a hotspot for predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, who are drawn to the abundance of newborns. The group will enjoy an afternoon game drive, witnessing the spectacle of new life and the dramatic chase by predators. You will return to your camp or lodge for the evening, sharing stories of the day’s adventures.

Accommodation:
Ndutu Heritage Camps.

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

>All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

6 Day

Ndutu (SOUTHERN SERENGETI)– Full Day Game Drive

Today is dedicated to a full-day game drive in the Ndutu area, offering ample time to witness the ongoing calving season in full swing. The plains are alive with wildebeest giving birth, and the young calves are often seen trying to stand and join their herds for the first time. This is an excellent time to observe predators, as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs are very active in the area, taking advantage of the vulnerable newborns. The group will have a picnic lunch on the plains, surrounded by wildlife, before continuing with more game drives in the afternoon. Ndutu’s diverse landscape provides incredible opportunities for photography, as the vast savannas, lakes, and acacia woodlands set the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day.

 

Accommodation:
Ndutu Heritage Camps.

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

>All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

 

Stay at the same lodge. (NDUTU HERITAGE CAMPS.)

7 Day

 Ndutu (SOUTHERN SERENGETI) – Departure

After a final morning game drive (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive). The Serengeti is the heart of the calving season, with the southern plains witnessing one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events—the Great Migration’s calving. The sheer number of newborn wildebeest and zebras is staggering, and predators are never far behind. After your last game drive, you’ll enjoy a scenic lunch in the park before beginning the journey back to Arusha (approximately 5-6 hours’ drive) for your flight back home. If your flight is later in the evening, you can opt to stay in Arusha for a final night before departure.

 

Accommodation: Either in Arusha or transfer directly to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

>Drinks not included

Popular questions about Tanzania Safari

Response:
We know that a good night’s sleep is really important when you’re travelling. We carefully select each night’s stay to balance comfort with location.
Where you stay will depend on what’s available in the places you visit – we choose the accommodation to suit the trip, rather than the other way around.
Our group accommodation will always be clean, comfortable, and well located for your journey.

Response:
Our small group adventures are ideal for solo travelers – around half of the travelers in our groups are usually travelling on their own. Our carefully-planned itineraries and expert leaders mean you can relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Response:
Absolutely – in fact, we recommend taking a suitcase or bag on wheels to make it easier to transport. You won’t have to carry it far but you’ll want it light enough to carry during your
safari.

Response:
All sorts of people travel on our small group tours. Our expert consultants can share details on the breakdown of the group so far – the number of couples vs solo travellers, for example, and the age range of the group. Our average group size is big enough to meet like-minded people but small enough to get right to the heart of our destination.

Response:
Everyone travels differently so we’ve graded our trips according to pace. Some travellers like to have time to relax and enjoy the view. Our ‘Relaxed’ trips build in plenty of down time, with opportunity to immerse yourself in the local surroundings. ‘Moderate’ trips combine fuller days with some down time too, while ‘Full On’ trips have mostly busy days and some early starts, but all trips are full of amazing experiences. You can opt-out of certain activities if you feel you need some additional down time.

Response:
Food is a great way to learn more about a destination. We try to keep meals flexible wherever possible, opting for Bed & Breakfast accommodation rather than half or full board. This way you have flexibility to eat where and when you want, and to explore the culture and cuisine of your destination under your own steam.

Our local tour leaders are always on-hand to make their recommendations, and of course you can choose to eat with all or some of your group, your travelling companion or on your own. The choice is yours.

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