8 Days
Duration

This is our typical 8-Day wildebeests calving safari in Northern Tanzania including a visit to the Ndutu Plains , south of Serengeti where wildebeest herds accompanied by zebras congregate every year between December and April for their breeding.

Wildebeests Migration Calving Safari Tanzania

Perfect for photographers and other safari lovers, this package includes the arrival day and overnight stay at Arusha, before heading to Tarangire National Park famous for large herds of elephants and thereafter a visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater. The tour then heads to the Ndutu Plains where you will spend a total of 3 nights exploring this wildlife rich area. You expect a lot of wildlife action; prey vs predator drama, as more than 8,000 calves are born everyday, and the predators try to capitalize on the vulnerability of the newborn and their mothers. This 8-day calving safari in Ndutu also includes a night at Central Serengeti to give you a variety but also to explore the wildlife rich Seronera valley.

Every year between November and December the Wildebeests Migration herds after returning to Serengeti from the Masai Mara, cross the Central Serengeti and cross over to Ndutu plains an area that is considered South Serengeti but administratively under The Ngorongoro Conservation Area for their calving season. This breeding season in the Ndutu plains goes on for a period between December through the month of March.

What is the Best Time for the wildebeests calving safari?

The best time to go on a wildebeests calving safari in Ndutu is between December and March, when the herds move here for their annual breeding season.

The breeding and calving season sees literally tens of thousands of young wildebeests foals born by the end of the season with hundreds if not thousands born daily. The calving season sees the area buzzing with wildlife activity as many other animals, the predators and scavengers alike engage in a rare feast of easily attainable placentas and poor young ones that stray from their mothers. Many other big game animals follow the migration herds making Ndutu a place to be.

Where to stay during you Calving safari in Ndutu

For this calving season in Ndutu Plains, Southern Serengeti  we customize safaris that include Ndutu Plains, for both camping and lodging calving safaris. There is only one real brick and mortar lodge in the Ndutu Plains, known as Ndutu Safari Lodge which is famous for its free roaming spotted genet cats. The lodge is the oldest in the area having been built in the sixties. Two other permanent tented lodges in this area include; Lake Masek Lodge and the Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge. One can stay at these three lodges during the calving season but also off season between April and November.

Recent years has seen the establishment of quite a number of mobile camps often referred as migration camps.  These mobile camps come in Mid range, Standard luxury and the up market / deluxe camps. The midrange camps you can stay for your Wildebeests Migration Calving safari in Ndutu include; Ndutu Mobile Camp, Heritage Ndutu Camp, Kati Kati Ndutu Camp and the Gnu Migration Camp.  Standard luxury to deluxe camps include the Nyikani Migration Camps, Lemala Ndutu Camp, Siringit Migration Camp, Olakira Camp among others.  We only use the best hand picked migration camps for our calving safari tours in Ndutu, so you are assured of the best experience!

On the next tab is our sample safari for the Wildebeest Calving Safari Migration for next year. 

If you wish to visit between July and September, during the river crossing of the wildebeests and try your luck on witnessing the wildebeests migration next year, please check out our sample our 6 days Wildebeests migration safari special offer.

Get in touch with our experts for free advice and personalized planning of your wildebeest migration safari during the thrilling calving season.

Additional information

DestinationTanzania
PhysicalityRelaxed
LocationNdutu Plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park
MonthDecember, February, January, March

Wildebeests Migration Calving Safari itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania

This day is set aside for your arrival into Tanzania and our representative meets you on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. He or she will transfer you to your lodge around Arusha. Overnight at Planet Arusha Lodge in Arusha town. Dinner included.
Day 2

Tarangire National Park

After a long flight to Africa we usually recommend starting easy while also cutting down the distances and so after breakfast you will be picked up and transferred to Tarangire National Park in a 4×4 Safari jeep.  At Tarangire we register at the gate and continue with game drives for the rest of the day as we explore the African wilderness for the first day of our safari. This park is famous for its the large populations of elephants and its gigantic age old baobabs, but it has much more to offer in terms of many animals and birds that are resident to this park. We expect to see lions, cheetahs, warthogs, gazelles, dik diks, the rare long necked gerenuks and many more.  Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to Karatu where you will check in at a lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Farm of Dreams Lodge. All meals included.
Day 3

Tarangire – Ndutu Plains/South Serengeti

Breakfast at the lodge early this morning and we are off to Ndutu plains for the migration safari in Southern Serengeti. We will have a brief stop at the Loduare Main Gate before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, an another brief stop to take pictures and get some stunning views over the Ngorongoro Crater floor. We will then drive further to Lake Ndutu area where the action takes place during the months of December through March. Picnic will be served and the afternoon will be spent doing game drives until later in the afternoon time to check in at the lodge or camp for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Ndutu Mobile Camp by Tanzania Bush Camps. All meals included.

Other camps also available depending on your budget and preference.

Day 4 & 5

Ndutu Plains Calving Safari

These 2 more days will be spent at the Ndutu plains within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ndutu plains is where it all happens in the month of January to March as the wildebeests Migration give birth to thousands of young calves every day. At Ndutu plains with the green pastures during this time of the year and the rich mineral soils that the herds adore you are sure to see the thousands of wildebeests accompanied by zebras, and gazelles spread along vast areas, as well as have the rare chance to witness some real wildlife action as the predators engage the herds and try to snatch their loved newly born foals. Walking safari with an armed range is also an optional activity that you can enjoy at Ndutu, and you only need to ask your diver to arrange that. Accompanied by an armed ranger you will see animals at close range while listening to the lectures offered by the trained naturalists and rangers rangers. Ndutu is also an amazing place to be for the avid bird watchers with 400 recorded resident and migratory bird species recorded. Overnight at Ndutu Mobile Camp. All meals included.
Day 6

Serengeti National Park

It is worthy visiting the Serengeti National Park having come this far. After breakfast at your lodge or camp we check out and drive a short distance to the Naabi Hill Gate where you will register and enter the Serengeti National Park for a day of game drives around the Central areas like Seronera Valley and around the Moru Kopjes. Later in the afternoon you will check in at the lodge or camp for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Tukaone Serengeti Weavers Camp. All meals included.
Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Early morning breakfast and check out of the lodge or camp and drive backwards to the Ngorongoro Crater. We will register at the Naabi Hill Gate again and at the Seneto Gate then descend the 600 high walls of the Ngorongoro Crater to the floor of the Crater for a full day of Game drives. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken Caldera in the world and a wonderful place to be with an estimated 20000 animals roaming such a small area of just about 21 Kilometers across. The Crater offers the last chance to clock the Big five with the best chance to spot the black rhinos and leopards as well as many other animals. Later in the afternoon we will ascend up the Crater rim and transfer to Karatu where you will  you will check in for dinner. Overnight at Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar. All meals included.
Day 8

Arusha - Departure

Breakfast at your lodge then you will drive back to Arusha where your safari ends. At Arusha you can be dropped at The Arusha Airport for a flight to Zanzibar or transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure. Breakfast and Lunch included.
  • We can arrange a flight for you to Zanzibar as well as the transfers and accommodation at the Island of Zanzibar.
  • If you need any connection flight like to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Request for your discounted prices
  • Depending on number of persons coming with you by sending us an email or give us a call.

Wildebeests Migration Calving Safari 2018 Prices

A Group of 2 Persons – USD 3075 per person sharing (Double room or Twin room)

A Group of 4 Persons – USD 2555 per person sharing (2 Double rooms or Twin rooms)

A Group of 6 Persons – USD 2415 per person sharing (3 Double rooms or Twin rooms)

Single Traveler – Ask for price

Group of more than 6 Travelers – Ask for price

Children Prices depend on Age of the child and room configuration.

We can customize the program according to your interests and budget.

The Price includes

all airport pick up and transfers in private car

07 days private safari for 02 – 06 persons

Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch

Services of a professional English speaking safari guide

All wildlife reserve entry fees

All game drives as mentioned in the itinerary

03 x 0,5 l mineral water per person / day during game drives

01 x HB at Ilboru Safari Lodge (or similar), Arusha.

06 x FB at safari lodges or tented camps as per itinerary

Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority

The Price does not include

International Flights

Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure

All items of a personal nature

Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff (please tip separately)

Travel insurance if needed

Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)

Drinks and beverages in lodges

Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti (549 USD per person), including concession fees

Walking at Ndutu Plains (can be arranged on the spot)