4 Nights | Southern Serengeti Wildlife & Great Migration Experience
Arusha • Tarangire National Park • Ngorongoro Crater • Ndutu • Arusha
Experience one of Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles during the Ndutu calving season. From December to March, vast herds of wildebeest gather across the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti to give birth, attracting predators and creating exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing.
This carefully designed 5-day Tanzania safari combines Tarangire’s elephant-filled landscapes, the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, and two nights in the Ndutu ecosystem during the Great Migration calving season.
With a private 4×4 safari vehicle, an experienced English-speaking driver-guide, and carefully selected accommodation, Zamunda Travels offers an intimate and memorable journey through some of northern Tanzania’s most spectacular destinations.
Safari highlights
- Witness the Great Migration calving season in Ndutu
- Search for newborn wildebeest calves and large herds
- Enjoy excellent opportunities to see lion, cheetah and spotted hyena
- Explore Tarangire National Park, famous for elephants and baobab trees
- Descend into the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater
- Enjoy two nights around the Ndutu ecosystem
- Travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Stay in carefully selected lodges and tented camps
- Travel with a professional English-speaking driver-guide
Detailed 5-Day Ndutu Calving Season Safari
Day 1: Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania
Overnight: Malkia Trees Lodge
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Transfer: Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport → Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, your Zamunda Travels driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to Arusha.
After checking in at Malkia Trees Lodge, enjoy a relaxed afternoon and prepare for the safari ahead. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the itinerary, wildlife expectations and the Ndutu calving season.
Today’s highlights
- Airport welcome and private transfer
- Relaxing afternoon in Arusha
- Safari briefing with your guide
- Comfortable overnight stay at Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Elephants & Baobabs
Overnight: Foresight Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive: Arusha → Tarangire, approximately 1.5–2 hours
After breakfast, travel to Tarangire National Park, one of northern Tanzania’s most distinctive wildlife destinations.
The park is known for its ancient baobab trees, seasonal wetlands and large elephant populations. During your game drive, look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, lions and numerous bird species.
Your guide will choose the best routes based on wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
Wildlife highlights
- Large elephant herds
- Ancient baobab trees
- Giraffes and zebras
- Buffaloes and lions
- Diverse birdlife
- Scenic savannah and riverine landscapes
Overnight: Foresight Eco Lodge
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Wildlife in a Natural Amphitheatre
Overnight: Safari Haven Migration Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive: Tarangire → Ngorongoro, approximately 2–3 hours
After breakfast, continue towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an exciting game drive surrounded by spectacular volcanic scenery.
The crater supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife, including lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and, with luck, the endangered black rhinoceros.
The crater’s grasslands, wetlands and Lake Magadi provide diverse habitats for wildlife and create excellent opportunities for photography.
After your game drive, continue to your accommodation near the Ngorongoro highlands for dinner and overnight rest.
Wildlife highlights
- Black rhinoceros
- Lion prides
- Spotted hyenas
- Large buffalo herds
- Elephants
- Wildebeest and zebras
- Flamingos and other waterbirds
Day 4: Ndutu – The Great Migration Calving Season
Overnight: Safari Haven Migration Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive: Ngorongoro → Ndutu, approximately 1–1.5 hours
Today brings you to the main highlight of the safari: Ndutu during the Great Migration calving season.
Between approximately December and March, large numbers of wildebeest gather across the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and surrounding ecosystem. Thousands of calves are born during this period, creating an extraordinary concentration of prey and attracting predators.
Spend the day exploring the Ndutu plains with your private guide. Depending on conditions and wildlife movements, you may encounter wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, cheetah, lion and spotted hyena.
Ndutu wildlife highlights
- Great Migration wildebeest herds
- Newborn wildebeest calves
- Cheetah on the open plains
- Lion prides
- Spotted hyenas
- Zebra, gazelle and other plains game
- Excellent wildlife photography opportunities
Best time for the Ndutu calving season
The main calving period generally occurs between December and March, with January and February often offering particularly strong opportunities. Wildlife movements and exact timing can vary from year to year.
Day 5: Ndutu – Final Game Drive & Departure
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Route: Ndutu → Arusha
Accommodation: None
Enjoy your final morning game drive in Ndutu. Early morning offers beautiful light and can provide excellent opportunities to observe active predators and wildlife across the plains.
After breakfast or a packed lunch, begin your journey back towards Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
Your 5-day Ndutu calving season safari with Zamunda Travels ends with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s wildlife and the Great Migration.
Today’s highlights
- Final morning game drive
- Early-morning wildlife viewing
- Scenic journey back to Arusha
- Airport transfer for your onward journey
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s included
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Park entrance and applicable conservation fees
- Drinking water during safari
- Airport transfers between Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport and Arusha
What’s not included
- International and domestic flights unless specified
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Laundry and telephone charges
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Any activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Not quite ready to book yet?
That is fine, you can send us an inquiry so that we figure it all out together. Please use this form to talk to our safari specialists and they will help you.