6-Day The Great Wildebeest Migration Calving Season

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Tanzania

Welcome to Tanzania, your home for an unforgettable safari. As soon as you step off your plane at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our friendly safari representative will greet you. You'll enjoy a comfortable drive to Arusha, the heart of Tanzania's safari scene. Depending on your arrival time, you may see local markets, people riding bikes, or children playing by the roadside—each a snapshot of Tanzanian life. Our guide will happily stop if something catches your attention, so you can start discovering the region right away. Once you arrive at Arusha Planet Lodge, check in, freshen up with a hot shower, and enjoy a delicious dinner. You're invited to relax and get a good night's sleep as you prepare for a magical journey into the wilderness. Venture—so get ready for the show of a lifetime.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Arusha Planet Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

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+18 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Arusha-Tarangire National Park

Your adventure begins early in the morning from Arusha with a scenic drive along rolling savannah and Maasai villages, reaching Tarangire in about two hours. Once inside the park, famed for its ancient baobab trees and vast elephant herds, prepare for exceptional wildlife sightings. Game drives reveal plentiful elephants, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and occasionally, big cats like lions and leopards. The Tarangire River, a vital water source, draws countless animals and offers prime game-viewing and bird-watching, especially during the dry season.

A picnic lunch is enjoyed at one of the park’s scenic spots, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the African bush. After your meal, continue exploring different areas of Tarangire, ensuring a chance to spot the diverse wildlife and photogenic landscapes. In the afternoon, depart Tarangire and head westward towards the lush highlands of Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Kankari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP

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+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ndutu-Enter the Calving Arena

After breakfast, your journey continues into the heart of Tanzania's most dramatic wildlife event—the Serengeti's southern Ndutu plains, famous for the wildebeest calving season. As you ascend the Ngorongoro highlands, enjoy fascinating views and stop to spot animals along the way. Your guide will share insights about the area's unique plants and animal behavior, making the drive as rewarding as any game drive. By midday, arrive at your welcoming safari camp and enjoy a freshly prepared hot lunch. After a bit of relaxation, set out for an introductory game drive across the wide, open plains. Around you, thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather to feast on the green grass, while predators like lions and cheetahs quietly follow. The endless horizon and wildlife-rich plains set the stage for what the calving season is all about—a dramatic, awe-inspiring circle of life.

Main Destination:

Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Accommodation:

Tanzania Bush Camps Ndutu Mobile Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ngutu Area

Today is all about experiencing the world-famous Ndutu calving season firsthand. After breakfast, set off on a full-day game drive across the calving grounds. Throughout February and March, you'll find yourself in the middle of nature's greatest nursery—thousands upon thousands of wildebeest giving birth in the short grass plains. Watch as newborn calves find their footing and mothers carefully tend to them, while alert guides keep their eyes out for the big cats and hyenas drawn by this feast of opportunity. Capture unforgettable moments: a birth in the wild, a lioness on the hunt, or a cheetah sprinting through the open land. By midday, relax with a picnic lunch under an acacia tree before continuing your adventure. Visit nearby lakes like Ndutu and Masek, where herds gather to drink and flocks of birds fill the air. As the day ends, return to camp for dinner and relive the day's most exciting encounters with your fellow travelers.

Main Destination:

Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Accommodation:

Tanzania Bush Camps Ndutu Mobile Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, say goodbye to the Ndutu plains and journey to one of Africa's natural wonders: Ngorongoro Crater. This vast volcanic bowl is home to a stunning variety of wildlife, including Africa's "Big Five" lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the rare black rhino. Descend into the crater as morning mist drifts across the grasslands and see hippo pools, flamingo-filled lakes, and herds of grazing animals all within a small area. Your guide will help you search for the crater's famous residents, and with some luck, you may tick off all five before lunchtime. Enjoy a picnic at a scenic spot by Lake Magadi, a haven for pink flamingos and wallowing hippos. After lunch, explore more of the crater floor before heading back to your lodge in Karatu. Enjoy a well-earned dinner and toast to the day's sightings—each one a memory to cherish forever.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Kankari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Return to Arusha

The time has come to say goodbye—but your adventure isn't over yet. After breakfast, travel back toward Arusha, watching the landscape change from endless plains to bustling town. Depending on your flight schedule, reflecting on the extraordinary wildlife and unforgettable moments that made your safari special. Our team will make sure you arrive at the airport in good time for your departure. On behalf of everyone at Zepisa African Safari, thank you for choosing us to be part of your African adventure. The Ndutu Calving Season is an experience that stays with you, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tanzania for more incredible moments in the wild. Safe travels!

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.