3 Days Calving Season and Ngorongoro Safari
Overview
Departure & Return Location: Arusha Town
Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Experience the spectacular Great Migration Calving Season on this 6 Days Mid-Range Safari through some of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This carefully designed safari takes you from Tarangire National Park to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and deep into the Southern Serengeti, where thousands of wildebeest gather during the calving season.
The calving season is one of the most remarkable times to visit Tanzania, as large herds gather on the nutrient-rich plains to give birth to their young. The abundance of newborn calves also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas, creating incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities. Alongside the migration experience, you will explore the endless plains of Serengeti and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
Tour Plan
Day 01: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Distance: Approximately 120 km
Non-game viewing time: 2–3 hrs
After breakfast, depart from Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant population, magnificent baobab trees and diverse wildlife.
Upon arrival, begin your first game drive through the park. Explore the seasonal wetlands, open grasslands and beautiful landscapes while looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, antelopes and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive. Later, leave the park and drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
• MEALS: Lunch & Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Midrange Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 02: Tarangire – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Distance: Approximately 160 km
Non-game viewing time: 3–4 hrs
After breakfast, depart from Tarangire and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The journey takes you through the fertile landscapes of Karatu and the spectacular highlands surrounding Ngorongoro. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of traditional villages, farmlands and the beautiful Great Rift Valley landscape.
Depending on the timing, you may visit a local Maasai community to learn about traditional pastoral life, livestock keeping and local customs.
Continue to your accommodation near the Ngorongoro highlands where you will have dinner and overnight, ready for the following day’s journey into the Southern Serengeti.
• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Midrange Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 03: Ngorongoro – Ndutu Area – Great Migration Calving Season
Distance: Approximately 100–150 km
Non-game viewing time: 3–4 hrs
After an early breakfast, depart towards the Ndutu area, located in the Southern Serengeti and within the broader migration ecosystem.
As you approach Ndutu, the scenery opens into vast short-grass plains that become an important gathering and calving area during the Great Migration season.
Upon arrival, begin your game drive across the Ndutu plains. During the calving season, large concentrations of wildebeest and zebras gather in the area, with thousands of newborn calves appearing across the plains.
The abundance of young animals attracts predators, giving you opportunities to observe lions, cheetahs, hyenas and other predators. Your experienced guide will monitor wildlife movements and select the best areas for game viewing.
Continue with an afternoon game drive before heading to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Midrange Tented Camp / Lodge
Day 04: Ndutu – Full-Day Great Migration & Calving Season Safari
After an early breakfast, spend a full day exploring the Ndutu area and Southern Serengeti during the Great Migration calving season.
This is the main migration-focused day of your safari. The nutrient-rich grasslands attract large herds of wildebeest, zebras and other grazing animals. You will have opportunities to observe mothers with newborn calves and the constant movement of the herds across the plains.
The concentration of prey also creates excellent predator-viewing opportunities. Keep an eye out for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and other carnivores that follow the herds.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing with afternoon game drives.
Your guide will carefully follow the seasonal movement of wildlife to maximize your chances of seeing the migration and its associated wildlife action.
Return to your camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Midrange Tented Camp / Lodge
Day 05: Ndutu – Serengeti National Park – Central Serengeti
Distance: Approximately 120–160 km
Non-game viewing time: 3–4 hrs
After breakfast, leave the Ndutu area and continue towards the Serengeti National Park.
Enjoy an en-route game drive as you travel through the vast Serengeti plains. The park is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and numerous predators.
Continue towards the central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera area, which is known for its rich wildlife habitat and year-round water sources.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive around the Seronera area before heading to your accommodation.
Dinner and overnight at your midrange lodge or tented camp.
• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Midrange Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 06: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Distance: Approximately 250–280 km
Non-game viewing time: 4–5 hrs
After an early breakfast, begin your journey from the Serengeti towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Upon arrival, descend into the crater for a game drive through its spectacular natural ecosystem. The crater supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife, offering opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and various species of antelopes.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater while surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
In the afternoon, ascend from the crater and begin your journey back to Arusha.
Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, marking the end of your 6 Days Mid-Range Great Migration Calving Season Safari.
• MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
• ACCOMMODATION: Not included
Day 06: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Distance: Approximately 250–280 km
Non-game viewing time: 4–5 hrs
After an early breakfast, begin your journey from the Serengeti towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Upon arrival, descend into the crater for a game drive through its spectacular natural ecosystem. The crater supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife, offering opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and various species of antelopes.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater while surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
In the afternoon, ascend from the crater and begin your journey back to Arusha.
Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, marking the end of your 6 Days Mid-Range Great Migration Calving Season Safari.
• MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
• ACCOMMODATION: Not included
- Included
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Safari guaranteed upon confirmation
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals according to the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
- Professional and experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide
- All applicable national park entrance fees and government taxes
- Game drives in the national parks
- Services of a professional safari cook
- Ngorongoro Crater tour
- Three meals per day during the safari, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
- Drinking water, approximately 1.5 litres per person per day
- Safari transportation in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for excellent wildlife viewing and photography
- excluded
- Entry Visas
- International
- Flights
- Laundry
- Optional Activities
- Tips and Gratuities
- Possible Concession fees
- Alcoholic Drink