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5-Day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari – Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Ndutu
Tanzania Safari

5-Day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari – Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Ndutu

Safari price
From $3,650
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Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 5-Day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari – Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Ndutu starts and finishes in Arusha. Its route includes Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, and Serengeti, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around the seasonal calving grounds, linked by the premium lodges, camps or flights named in the itinerary.

Every safari day brings a different perspective on Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife. Explore the route below to see how activities, journeys between destinations and overnight stays fit together. Our local team can help you consider seasonal wildlife movements, the time available and accommodation preferences before you make a decision.

Where every day follows the rhythm of the journey
Elephant habitat and baobab landscape in Tarangire National ParkTarangire
Zebra and wildlife habitat inside Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater
Lions and safari vehicles on the Ndutu plainsNdutu
Wildebeest and zebra during the Ndutu calving seasonCalving Season
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Arusha to Tarangire – Game Drive & Overnight in KaratuExplore Tarangire’s river valley, baobab country and wildlife habitat on a guided game drive.
  • Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Transfer to NdutuDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for guided wildlife viewing across grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.
  • Full-Day Calving Safari in NdutuSpend time on the Ndutu plains during the seasonal migration period, following current herd and predator movement with your guide.
  • Another Full Day of Game Viewing in NdutuSpend time on the Ndutu plains during the seasonal migration period, following current herd and predator movement with your guide.
  • Morning Game Drive in Ndutu & Return to ArushaSpend time on the Ndutu plains during the seasonal migration period, following current herd and predator movement with your guide.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire – Game Drive & Overnight in Karatu

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Begin your adventure with a scenic drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. This gem is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and vibrant birdlife. Watch for predators stalking the tall grasses, giraffes gracefully moving between the trees, and elephants gathering along the riverbanks. Unwind with a sundowner on the terrace and enjoy fine dining in a tranquil setting.

Accommodation

Kitela Lodge

Kitela Lodge is a country lodge on a working farm in the Karatu and Ngorongoro highlands. Cottage-style rooms are spread through landscaped grounds, giving guests privacy and views across the surrounding cultivated slopes. The main lodge handles meals and relaxed evenings, while the farm setting adds a strong sense of the region beyond the national parks. Its position is convenient for Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and road journeys between Arusha and the Serengeti.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleSafari lodge
Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Transfer to Ndutu

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a delicious breakfast, descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a natural haven for lions, hippos, elephants, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino. With rich grasslands, a soda lake, and forested areas, the crater offers one of Africa’s most concentrated and accessible wildlife experiences. In the afternoon, continue your journey toward the Ndutu area, where the southern Serengeti meets the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, during calving season, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather to give birth — a spectacle of life, survival, and raw beauty. Enjoy bush hospitality, gourmet meals, and the thrill of sleeping under canvas in the heart of the migration.

Accommodation

Ndutu Under Canvas

Ndutu Under Canvas is a seasonal mobile tented camp placed in the southern Serengeti ecosystem for the migration’s calving months. The temporary format allows the operation to stay close to the short-grass plains rather than functioning as a fixed year-round lodge. En-suite safari tents and shared dining areas provide comfort while preserving a strong sense of sleeping in the bush. It suits February and other green-season itineraries whose main purpose is to follow herds and predator activity around Ndutu.

LocationNdutuStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 03

Full-Day Calving Safari in Ndutu

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Wake up to the sounds of the wild and enjoy an early breakfast before departing at 06:30 AM for a full-day safari adventure. Ndutu is one of the most dramatic places to witness the Great Migration during calving season. Watch thousands of wildebeest with their newborn calves, alongside predators like lions and hyenas who follow the herds closely. Traverse through acacia woodlands, marshlands, and open plains, stopping for a picnic lunch in the bush. With your expert guide, you'll uncover the natural rhythms of this extraordinary ecosystem.

Accommodation

Ndutu Under Canvas

Ndutu Under Canvas is a seasonal mobile tented camp placed in the southern Serengeti ecosystem for the migration’s calving months. The temporary format allows the operation to stay close to the short-grass plains rather than functioning as a fixed year-round lodge. En-suite safari tents and shared dining areas provide comfort while preserving a strong sense of sleeping in the bush. It suits February and other green-season itineraries whose main purpose is to follow herds and predator activity around Ndutu.

LocationNdutuStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 04

Another Full Day of Game Viewing in Ndutu

  • Activity: Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy another full day exploring the rich wildlife of Ndutu. With no two days alike during the calving season, you’ll have the opportunity to revisit active spots or discover new areas teeming with life. From cheetahs hunting in the open plains to vultures circling above, the action never stops. Your guide will tailor the day to your interests, whether you prefer predator tracking, bird watching, or simply soaking in the sheer volume of animals around you.

Accommodation

Ndutu Under Canvas

Ndutu Under Canvas is a seasonal mobile tented camp placed in the southern Serengeti ecosystem for the migration’s calving months. The temporary format allows the operation to stay close to the short-grass plains rather than functioning as a fixed year-round lodge. En-suite safari tents and shared dining areas provide comfort while preserving a strong sense of sleeping in the bush. It suits February and other green-season itineraries whose main purpose is to follow herds and predator activity around Ndutu.

LocationNdutuStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 05

Morning Game Drive in Ndutu & Return to Arusha

  • End of tour in Arusha
  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Begin your final morning with one last game drive in the Ndutu area. Capture the golden light of dawn and enjoy a few more unforgettable sightings before beginning your journey back to Arusha. As you travel through the Ngorongoro highlands and open plains, reflect on the incredible wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and luxurious moments you’ve experienced. Arrive in Arusha by late afternoon, marking the end of your extraordinary Tanzanian adventure.

Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All national park and conservation area entry fees
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • All scheduled game drives and crater descent
  • 4 nights’ accommodation in luxury Tanganyika Wilderness Camps
  • All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Bottled drinking water and soft drinks during game drives
  • Transfers to/from Arusha (or airport if arranged)
Not included

Additional costs

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages unless specified
  • Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, souvenirs)
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Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

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5 days / 4 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $3,650 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Tarangire National Park – Baobabs, elephants, and untamed beauty, Ngorongoro Crater – A wildlife-packed ancient volcanic caldera, Ndutu (Southern Serengeti) – Birthing season of the Great Migration, Return to Arusha – Drive through Tanzania’s scenic heartland

Kitela Lodge, Ndutu Under Canvas (Tanganyika Wilderness Camps), Ndutu Under Canvas. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.