$4,235 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome to Arusha at the foot of Mount Meru
Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome to Arusha at the foot of Mount Meru
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your professional Nandi Adventures safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. This day is intentionally kept relaxed to allow you to recover from international travel and prepare for the safari ahead.
Arusha lies at the foot of Mount Meru and is widely regarded as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy views of Mount Meru, lush gardens, and the calm atmosphere that makes Arusha the ideal gateway to Tanzania’s northern circuit. Your guide will provide a detailed safari briefing, go through the route ahead, and answer any questions you may have about wildlife, photography, or daily logistics.
Overnight in Arusha allows for an early and efficient departure the following morning toward Tarangire National Park. Accommodation is selected for comfort, reliable service, and easy access to the main safari route.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- Kibo Palace Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Tarangire National Park – Elephant Kingdom & Baobabs
Tarangire National Park – Elephant Kingdom & Baobabs
After an early breakfast, depart Arusha and drive south toward Tarangire National Park, arriving in time for an extensive game drive with a packed picnic lunch.
Tarangire is famous for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and diverse birdlife. During this full game drive, you may encounter elephants moving in large family groups, giraffes browsing on acacia trees, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and predators such as lions and leopards. The Tarangire River is a lifeline for wildlife, especially during the dry months, and attracts animals throughout the day.
Your guide will carefully pace the game drive, allowing time for photography, observation, and understanding animal behavior rather than rushing from sighting to sighting. After the game drive, you exit the park and continue to the highland town of Karatu, located between Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Ngorongoro Highlands & Olduvai Gorge – Into Ndutu Plains
Ngorongoro Highlands & Olduvai Gorge – Into Ndutu Plains
Following breakfast, you ascend into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Highlands, enjoying sweeping views of volcanic landscapes and Maasai pastoral life. En route, you visit or pass near Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.”
From the highlands, the landscape opens into the Ndutu Plains, located in the southern Serengeti ecosystem. This region becomes the focal point of the Great Migration between December and March, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth within a short period.
Upon arrival in Ndutu, you begin your first game drive in this wildlife-rich area. Expect vast open grasslands dotted with lakes, where wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather in immense numbers. The abundance of newborn calves attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals, making this one of the most action-packed safari regions in Africa.
- Main Destination:
- Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
- Accommodation:
- Ndutu Heritage Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Southern Serengeti National Park – Predator Capital
Southern Serengeti National Park – Predator Capital
After breakfast, depart Ndutu and drive deeper into the Southern Serengeti National Park, continuing your wildlife exploration with a full game drive and packed lunch.
The Southern Serengeti is characterized by endless plains, ideal for spotting predators at a distance. This region is especially renowned during the calving season for intense predator activity. Lions are frequently seen hunting in coordinated groups, while cheetahs take advantage of the open terrain for high-speed chases. Leopards, though more elusive, are occasionally spotted along riverine areas and rocky outcrops.
Your guide will focus on understanding animal behavior, tracking movements, and positioning the vehicle for optimal viewing and photography. This day allows for exploration, following wildlife as events unfold naturally.
As the sun begins to set, you proceed to your tented camp within the Southern Serengeti ecosystem, where you can relax, enjoy a warm meal, and listen to the sounds of the African night.
- Main Destination:
- Southern Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ndutu Kati Kati Tented Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Ndutu Area – Calving Season Spectacle
Ndutu Area – Calving Season Spectacle
Following breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in the Southern Serengeti before gradually making your way back toward the Ndutu area with wildlife viewing en route.
This day focuses on areas with high concentrations of wildebeest calves. You may witness nursing behavior, playful interactions between young animals, and the ever-present vigilance against predators. The density of wildlife during this period is extraordinary, offering some of the best photographic opportunities of the entire year. The open plains make this region ideal for photographers and wildlife lovers alike.
Your guide may choose to focus on specific predator territories or follow fresh tracks, depending on sightings and conditions. The flexibility of Ndutu allows for off-road driving where permitted, enhancing the quality of the safari experience.
In the afternoon, arrive back at your Ndutu camp for a relaxed evening, sharing stories of the day’s encounters around the campfire or in the lounge.
- Main Destination:
- Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
- Accommodation:
- Gnu Ndutu Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater – Natural Wildlife Amphitheater
Ngorongoro Crater – Natural Wildlife Amphitheater
An early start takes you back into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive.
The crater is home to an extraordinary density of wildlife within its enclosed ecosystem. Here you may see black rhinos, large lion prides, elephants, hippos, buffalo, flamingos, and a wide variety of plains game — all within a single morning.
Your guide will navigate the crater floor strategically, ensuring you experience different habitats including open grasslands, swamps, and forested areas. After a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you ascend the crater rim and continue to Karatu for your final overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Rhino Lodge
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Karatu – Arusha – Departure - So Long Tanzania
Karatu – Arusha – Departure - So Long Tanzania
After breakfast, drive back to Arusha, arriving in time for a hot lunch at a local restaurant or hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for last-minute shopping or relaxation before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
This marks the end of your Southern Ngorongoro and Ndutu Calving Season Safari with Nandi Adventures.
This safari can be combined with gorilla trekking in Uganda. There are direct flights from Serengeti to Bwindi in Uganda (via Entebbe for customs). Or you could have a beach add-on in Zanzibar. These add-ons can be planned for on request.
- Main Destination:
- Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
