6-Day Ndutu Wildebeest Migration Safari: Calving Season

Over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily during peak season, drawing lions, cheetahs, and hyenas into the open plains.

A 6-day safari through Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area timed to witness the wildebeest calving season from December through March. You'll spend two full days in the Ndutu plains during peak birthing, then move to the Central Serengeti for leopard sightings along the Seronera River. Game drives focus on predator-prey interactions, massive herds, and newborn calves in the open landscape.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pick up from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport
• Drive 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive spotting wildlife
• Picnic lunch inside the park
• Continue exploring Tarangire
• Check in at midrange tented lodge
• Enjoy sunset views and dinner

Day 2: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Highlands
• Ngorongoro Crater tour
• Lunch by hippo pool
• Ascend from crater and drive to Ndutu
• Check in at Ndutu lodge
• Dinner and relax at lodge

Day 3: Full Day in Ndutu Plains

• Breakfast at lodge
• Explore Ndutu wildebeest calving grounds
• Observe predator-prey interactions
• Lunch in the bush
• Return to camp
• Storytelling by campfire
• Dinner under the stars

Day 4: Ndutu to Central Serengeti

• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart for Central Serengeti
• Game drive en route
• Picnic lunch
• Afternoon game drive
• Check in at midrange tented camp
• Dine in wilderness at sunset

Day 5: Full Day in Central Serengeti

• Breakfast at camp
• Game drive in Central Serengeti
• Picnic lunch
• Afternoon game drive
• Return to camp
• Dinner and wildlife sounds

Day 6: Serengeti to Arusha

• Breakfast at camp
• Board scheduled flight to Arusha
• Arrival in Arusha
• Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport

The experience

The tour starts with a morning pickup from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport and a 2.5-hour drive into Tarangire National Park, where ancient baobab trees frame herds of zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and lions. After a picnic lunch inside the park, you check in at Marera Valley Lodge for your first night. The next day takes you to the Ngorongoro Crater, where you'll spot the African Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and on a lucky day, black rhinos) before ascending to Ndutu in the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Two full days in Ndutu put you in the heart of the calving grounds when the action peaks. December through March brings over 8,000 newborn calves daily, and the open plains allow off-road driving to get close to the herds and the predators hunting them. You'll see wildebeest and zebra in massive numbers, cheetahs and lions on kills, and a richness of birdlife. Lunch comes in the bush. Evenings return you to Kontiki Ndutu Camp for dinner and stories by the campfire.

From Ndutu, you move to the Central Serengeti for two more days, where resident big cats, especially leopards along the Seronera River, are easier to find year-round. Game drives bookend a picnic lunch, and you stay at Tukaone Weavers Serengeti Camp. On the final morning, a scheduled flight returns you to Arusha, with onward transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or to Zanzibar if you're extending your trip.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the safari.
• entrance fees to all parks and conservation areas.
• government fees and airport departure tax.
• professional guide.
• all meals and lodge accommodation.
• the return flight to Arusha on day six.

Information

Lasts 6d, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 3,900 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate2 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and ItalianOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

AgesAdult (36 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (16 to 35 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Herbivore African Expeditions

Is this one for you?Pickup from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport is included, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the parks. The fixed itinerary keeps you in Ndutu during peak calving season and moves you to the Central Serengeti for resident big cats, fitting both wildlife moments into a single 6-day journey.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 35 years); Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

When is the best time to see newborn wildebeest calves in Ndutu?

December through March is peak calving season in Ndutu, with over 8,000 calves born daily at the height of the season. This timing draws intense predator activity from lions, cheetahs, and hyenas into the open plains.

What animals will I see on the game drives?

You'll encounter zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hyenas, and newborn wildebeest calves. The Ngorongoro Crater holds the African Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and occasionally black rhinos. The Central Serengeti offers year-round sightings of resident big cats, especially leopards along the Seronera River.

How much time do I spend actually game driving versus traveling between locations?

You have two full days dedicated to game drives in Ndutu during calving season, two full days in the Central Serengeti, plus partial game drives on arrival and departure days. Travel days include a 2.5-hour drive from Arusha to Tarangire on day one and a scheduled flight from the Serengeti back to Arusha on day six.

Where do I stay during the safari?

You stay at midrange tented lodges: Marera Valley Lodge in Tarangire, Kontiki Ndutu Camp for two nights in the Ndutu plains, and Tukaone Weavers Serengeti Camp for two nights in the Central Serengeti. All lodges include meals and are positioned near the wildlife hotspots.

Is the return flight to Arusha included in the price?

Yes, the scheduled flight from the Serengeti to Arusha on day six is included. From Arusha, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, or to Zanzibar if you're extending your trip.