5-Day Ndutu Safari

Q: When is the Ndutu calving season?

The main calving season is generally January to March, although the exact timing depends on rainfall and grazing conditions.

Q: What wildlife can I see?

You can expect opportunities to see wildebeest, newborn calves, zebras, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes and many bird species.

Q: Why is Ndutu famous during calving season?

The area attracts huge numbers of wildebeest because of its nutrient-rich grasslands. The concentration of newborn calves also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas.

Overview

This 5-Day Ndutu Safari 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 5-Day Ndutu Safari with us

First, every 5-Day Ndutu Safari 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 spectacular Ndutu Great Migration and Calving Season on this 5-day Tanzania safari. It is designed for travelers who want to see newborn wildebeest, massive herds and exciting predator activity in the Southern Serengeti.

First, you spend three nights at Serengeti Classic View. This gives you plenty of time to explore Ndutu and follow the migration on full-day game drives. Look for wildebeest mothers with their calves, as well as zebras, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and abundant birdlife.

On Day 4, you then leave the Serengeti and travel through the beautiful Ngorongoro Highlands to stay at Inoga Lodge. Finally, on Day 5, the safari ends with a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater before you return to Arusha.

Itinerary

Day 01 :

Arusha – Southern Serengeti – Ndutu

Your safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha. First, you meet your professional safari guide. Then you set off toward the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu.

As you approach the Serengeti, the landscape opens into vast plains, acacia woodland and seasonal wetlands. Next, you begin your first game drive on the way to the Ndutu area, looking for wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other wildlife. During the calving season, you may already see large herds and newborn calves. Meanwhile, lions, cheetahs and hyenas often follow the migration.

Finally, you continue to Serengeti Classic View for dinner and the night.

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

Day 02 :

Full-Day Ndutu – Calving Season & Predators

After an early breakfast, you enjoy a full-day game drive across the Ndutu plains. This is the main highlight of your safari. During the calving season, thousands of wildebeest gather to give birth, which creates one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles in Tanzania (NCAA).

Throughout the day, you search for newborn calves, mothers with their young, huge wildebeest herds, zebras and gazelles. Because so many newborn animals are around, predators follow. So you have excellent chances to look for:

Wildebeest and newborn calves
Zebras and gazelles
Lions and lion prides
Also cheetahs, spotted hyenas and jackals
Elephants and giraffes
Finally, ostriches and other birdlife

At midday, you enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness. Then your afternoon game drive continues. Afterwards, you return to Serengeti Classic View for dinner and the night.

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

Day 03 :

Ndutu & Southern Serengeti – Great Migration & Wildlife

After breakfast, you continue exploring the Ndutu and Southern Serengeti ecosystem with another full day of wildlife viewing. Your guide follows the current location of the migration. In addition, you explore different parts of the plains, seasonal lakes and surrounding habitats.

Today is excellent for wildlife photography and watching natural behaviour. Look for wildebeest mothers with calves, large zebra herds, gazelles and predators close to the migration. The Ndutu wetlands, lakes, grasslands and woodland also support abundant birdlife, so birdwatchers have a rewarding day (NCAA).

At lunchtime, you enjoy a picnic before the afternoon game drive. Finally, you return to Serengeti Classic View for your last night in the Serengeti.

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

Day 04 :

Serengeti – Ngorongoro Highlands – Inoga Lodge

After breakfast, you enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before leaving the migration area. Then you head toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, while the landscape changes from open plains to green highlands.

Depending on the experience you choose, you can join a cultural visit, a nature walk or another highland activity. In this way, you learn more about the landscapes and communities around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Later, you continue to Inoga Lodge in Karatu for dinner and the night.

Accommodation: Inoga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Game Drive – Arusha

After an early breakfast, you drive to the Ngorongoro Crater for your final wildlife experience. First, you descend into the crater for a game drive across the crater floor. Here you may see lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and gazelles. With luck, you may also spot the endangered black rhinoceros (NCAA).

After a picnic lunch in the crater, you drive back up and begin the journey to Arusha. Finally, you arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or evening, at the end of your 5-Day Ndutu Great Migration Safari.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch