8 Days Calving Season Safari

8 Days Calving Season Safari

Trip Overview

This itinerary is best from mid-December to March, when the wildebeest are in the Ndutu area (Southern Serengeti) for the calving season. During this period, thousands of wildebeest give birth to their young, offering a unique opportunity to see newborn calves and, if you’re lucky, the calving process itself. As the migration attracts predators, this is also one of the best times to witness dramatic wildlife interactions. In addition, Ndutu is one of the few areas in Tanzania that allows off-road game drives, giving guests a greater opportunity to get closer to the animals and enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing. Adding visits to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro as part of the itinerary further enhances the experience, making it truly outstanding.

Calving Season Safari
Calving Season Safari
Calving Season Safari
Calving Season Safari

Highlights

  • Ndutu Migration Drama
  • Off Road Wildlife
  • Endless Serengeti Plains
  • Kopjes And Predators
  • Ngorongoro Crater Descent

At a glance

  • 7 Nights
  • Tanzania
  • Safari

View Full Safari Itinerary

Get the detailed itinerary for this Calving Season safari. Includes day-by-day plans, destination details, travel times, and key highlights to help you prepare for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Safari Spots

  • Ndutu Area
  • Serengeti National Park
  • Ngorongoro Crater

Tree Planting initiatives for Every Guest on the Safari Tour in Tanzania

Supporting Renewable Energy and Low-Impact Travel Choices

Empowering Local Communities Through Eco-Conscious Tourism

Details Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Arusha for relaxation and overnight stay.

Overnight Tumbili Lodge Arusha

Day 2 - Ndutu

After breakfast, your will travel via the Ngorongoro Crater rim and to the area called Ndutu. From the months of Mar – Dec, Ndutu is famous for the migration of Wildebeest and Zebra. These months are the calving season for the Wildebeest and the best time to see the cats in action. Ndutu is the one of the only parks that you can go off track and get closer to the animals in Tanzania. Enjoy game drives in Ndutu before heading to your tented camp.

Overnight Lake Masek Tented Lodge/ Nyikani Migration Camp

Day 3 - Ndutu

Enjoy a full day of game drives in the Ndutu area, a prime wildlife destination located between the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This region is particularly rich in wildlife, with open plains that provide excellent visibility for spotting predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Wherever the wildebeest herds gather, predators are never far behind, offering exciting opportunities to witness natural wildlife interactions and dramatic predator-prey action.

Overnight Lake Masek Tented Lodge/ Nyikani Migration Camp

Day 4 - Ndutu - Central Serengeti

After breakfast, enjoy morning game drive within Ndutu, before commencing your drive to one of the most famous game parks in Africa, the Serengeti. Here is home to millions of wildebeest during the migration and over the huge flat plains you are likely to find lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and many other small predators. Enjoy an on-route game drive to your camp and the experience of sleeping in the middle of the Serengeti.

Overnight Nyota Luxury Camp / Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp

Day 5 - Serengeti National Park

Today, you have a full day in this wonderful park and your guide will choose the best spotting locations for the time of year. You can spend time at the Hippo pool, watching these majestic animals laze about in the cool water alongside the crocodiles, watch a big pride of lions or be in the middle of the migration. You can journey from the wide open plains to the kopjes, these volcanic rocky outcrops provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals and from the top we can look out across the vast grasslands of the Serengeti. This diverse and interesting landscape will provide us with the ultimate in game viewing.

Overnight Nyota Luxury Camp / Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp

Day 6 - Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

One last early morning start in the Serengeti to try and find cats before they retreat away from the blazing sun during the day. After your morning game drive, you will be transferred to Ngorongoro Crater rim for relaxation and overnight stay.

The Ngorongoro caldera is the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. At approximately 20 kilometres across and 600 metres deep, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breath-taking natural wonder.

Overnight Ngorongoro Lion's Paw / Embalakai Authentic Camps Ngorongoro Camp

Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha

This morning you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a wonderful haven for wildlife. Ngorongoro is unique in that almost all the wildlife lives within the crater walls, hence you have the opportunity to find game easily. Rhino in particular can be seen regularly, as well as prides of lion and other predators.

Transfer back to Arusha for overnight and relaxation.

Overnight Tumbili Lodge Arusha

Day 8 - Departure

This day, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in time for your departure flight.

Included & Excluded

  • Return transfers to Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
  • Tented camp and lodges as per itinerary.
  • Unlimited game drives
  • Breakfast only in Arusha,All meals & Drinking water on the Safari. also let me know if you have any dietary restrictions.
  • New SUV V8 Land Cruiser 4x4 with pop-up roof, At least 2 Pairs of Binoculars in each Vehicle, All vehicles are equipped with Radio Calls for any emergencies Complete medical kits.
  • Professional English Speaking guides licensed by TANAPA. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
  • Professional team on ground providing 24/7 support for any emergencies or for any other requirements.
  • Tipping for your driver/guide. The recommended is approximately USD $40 or more per day. This is divided between everyone in the vehicle
  • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
  • Travel insurance. African Scenic Safaris definitely recommends taking out Travel Insurance for your trip to cover for any unforeseen emergencies
  • Additional meals in Arusha

Trip Map

8 Days Calving Season Safari
Nembris Joram
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What Our Guests Say

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Hannah W / Sep 2022

The best company out there!

African Scenic Safaris were Amazing. We were a large group of students who climbed Kilimanjaro with them and went on a safari in Tarangire National Park.

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Johanna S/ Apr 2025

Great experience on Safari.

The guide was absolutely fantastic. Emanuel was present answering questions and not least telling a lot like the animals.

Gabriella M
Gabriella M/ Feb 2025

Amazing experience

We relied on African Scenic Safaris for organising a 5 days safari. Nembris provided us with suggestions for the itinerary through Serengeti.

Your Safari Questions Answered

Every great safari starts with a question—ask boldly, travel confidently, and return with wild stories.

We understand that planning your first or even second safari comes with questions. In this section, we cover the most common queries travellers ask before booking their Calving Season Safaris—from timing to travel tips.

If you’re hoping to see newborn calves, December to March is the window to aim for. This is when the herds settle around Ndutu and calving begins. During the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Calving Season, everything happens close together, so sightings feel constant rather than rushed.

Most of the calving happens in Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. The grass stays short there, which makes it safer for young calves and easier for you to see what’s going on. During the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, the herds don’t spread out much, so wildlife stays very visible.

Yes, and that’s mostly because it doesn’t try to do too much. You spend proper time in Ndutu, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro instead of jumping between parks. For many guests new to Tanzania Safari Tours, this slower flow makes the experience easier and more enjoyable.

This trip is built around one season rather than covering everything. You stay longer where the action is instead of moving on quickly. That focus is what makes these Serengeti Safaris feel more natural, with time to watch behaviour instead of just ticking sightings.

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