5-Day Tanzania Ndutu Calving Season Safari

Q: When is the Ndutu calving season?

The calving season normally takes place between January and March, with January and February often offering excellent opportunities to see newborn wildebeest.

Q: What makes Ndutu special during the calving season?

Ndutu becomes a major gathering area for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Thousands of wildebeest come to the nutrient-rich plains to give birth, attracting predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas.

Q: What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may see wildebeest, newborn calves, zebra, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles and many other species

Overview

This calving season serengeti is run by Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, a locally based Tanzanian operator. You travel with an experienced local guide, and we plan every detail with you.

Why book this calving season serengeti with us

First, every calving season serengeti we run is tailor-made, so we can adjust the dates, accommodation and pace. In addition, our local team supports you from arrival to departure. Before you travel, you can also read about the area on the official Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) website. For more ideas, see our other Serengeti National Park tours.

Experience the unforgettable Ndutu Calving Season on this 5-day Tanzania safari. We designed it for travelers who want to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration during one of its most spectacular moments.

First, the journey takes you through Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Then you reach the Ndutu plains, with dedicated time to follow the migrating herds. There you also watch the incredible predator activity that comes with the calving season.

The highlight of the safari is your time in Ndutu, where thousands of wildebeest gather to give birth. The nutrient-rich short-grass plains offer ideal conditions for newborn calves. Meanwhile, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and other predators follow the abundance of young animals.

You enjoy 4 nights at Serengeti Classic View, a comfortable base throughout the safari. In addition, early-morning and full-day game drives let you take in the landscapes, wildlife and dramatic moments of the migration at a relaxed pace.

Itinerary

Day 01 :

Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Your 5-day Ndutu Calving Season Safari begins with a morning departure from Arusha. First, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its impressive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife.

On arrival, enjoy a game drive through the park’s beautiful landscapes. Look for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, gazelles and many bird species. Then enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before you continue toward your accommodation.

In the afternoon, carry on toward Serengeti Classic View, where you arrive in the evening. Finally, enjoy dinner and relax at the lodge while you look forward to the exciting Ndutu Calving Season ahead.

Accommodation: Inoga Karatu Lodge
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Ndutu

After an early breakfast, travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. On the crater floor, you may see lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas. With luck, you may also spot black rhinos.

After lunch, continue toward Ndutu, in the heart of the Southern Serengeti ecosystem. During the calving season, the area attracts enormous concentrations of wildebeest and zebra. Later, enjoy an afternoon game drive before you return to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Serengeti Classic View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03 :

Full-Day Ndutu Calving Season Safari

Today is dedicated entirely to the Ndutu Calving Season. First, set out on an early morning game drive, when wildlife is most active. Then explore the Ndutu plains and surrounding areas in search of the Great Migration herds and newborn wildebeest calves.

Because so many young animals are around, predators follow closely. So you have good chances to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals hunting or following the migration.

At midday, enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness, and then continue exploring through the afternoon. Meanwhile, your experienced guide follows the movement of the herds and chooses the best areas for wildlife viewing. Finally, return to Serengeti Classic View in the evening.

Accommodation: Serengeti Classic View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04 :

Ndutu – Southern Serengeti – Full-Day Game Drive

After breakfast, spend another full day exploring Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti. With a second full day in the area, your guide can follow the latest wildlife movements and search for exceptional sightings.

For example, look for large wildebeest and zebra herds, newborn calves and lions resting near the migration. You may also see cheetahs hunting across the plains and hyenas moving through the grasslands. In addition, the green landscapes of the calving season are excellent for wildlife photography.

At midday, enjoy lunch in the bush. Then continue with the afternoon game drive before you return to camp in the evening.

Accommodation: Serengeti Classic View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05 :

Ndutu – Arusha

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Ndutu. It is your last chance to search for the migration herds and enjoy the calving grounds.

After the game drive, begin your journey back to Arusha by road. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania, with lunch en route. Finally, you arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or evening, at the end of your 5-Day Tanzania Ndutu Calving Season Safari.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch