Calving Season Safari, Ngorongoro / Ndutu – Serengeti, 5 Days

Enjoy an exclusive private safari, taking in two of the major highlights of Tanzania - a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, and 3 days witnessing the calving season of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Our guides, who are amongst the very best in Tanzania, are experienced professionals who are committed to ensuring optimal game-viewing throughout your safari, while prioritising your comfort and safety when travelling with us.

Our camps and vehicles are designed with you in mind. In our specially customised, extended land cruisers the windows are enlarged and the roof height raised to allow ease of photography and game-viewing through the 360 degree view hatches, with plenty of room to stretch your legs.

The Migration explained:

The following should be used as a guideline when planning your safari to East Africa – movement of wildlife depends on a great many aspects. The following migration calendar helps to explain the seasonality of game viewing. Remember there is resident game throughout the year in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro eco-systems.

JAN / FEB / MARCH
The large herds of wildebeest are generally in the southern plains of the Serengeti eco-system, calving takes place over approximately two weeks. An abundance of predators, good visibility of game, mix of open plains and some woodland.

APRIL / MAY
The herds start moving toward central Serengeti. This is typically the rainy season, however, game viewing is still excellent and there are some great discounts available at lodges and camps. It generally doesn’t rain all day. Conditions for photography are generally superb with moody skies and good depth of colour.

JUNE / JULY / AUGUST
The wildebeest move from the central area and split to the west and north, continuing their trek toward the Mara River. River crossings may be seen in both the western corridor (Grumeti area) and north (Mara River) within the Serengeti.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
Whilst some of the wildebeest successfully reach the Masai Mara, there are still hundreds of thousands remaining in the northern region of Serengeti, offering those with guests with loads of patience the chance to see exciting river crossings (the Mara River runs through the Serengeti).

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
The massive herds start to return from the north to the southern plains, before the cycle repeats again!

© Copyright WILD FRONTIERS

Day 1	You will be collected from your Arusha hotel. Visit Lake Manyara National Park. Overnight at Bougainvillea Lodge or similar.
Day 2 - 4	Visit the volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro. Continue onto the Ndutu region of NCCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area). Overnight at Ndutu Wilderness Camp for 3 nights
Day 5	Morning transfer by road to Arusha/ Kilimanjaro Airport.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Karatu

You will be collected from your Arusha hotel by your safari guide who will be escorting you on your private safari.

Enjoy a visit to Lake Manyara National Park. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is noted for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate, they pass into the lush forest, home to troops of baboons and both Blue and Vervet monkeys. Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond the soda lake itself, covering 200 square kilometres and sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo, pelican, stork, sacred ibis, cormorant and Egyptian geese. The park is particularly noted for herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as giraffe, hippo, reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest, zebra and a great variety of smaller animals.

Head up through the beautiful highlands to the farm rich area of Karatu on the outer slopes of Ngorongoro crater.

Overnight: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Located on the outskirts of Karatu town, close to Ngorongoro Crater. The large common area houses the reception, lounge, bar, gift shop and dining room. An inviting swimming pool sits in the centre of the property surrounded by the cottages and gardens. Accommodation is cosy with a fireplace, and a veranda from which to enjoy the views of the lush gardens.

Day 2 - 5: Ndutu Wilderness Camp, Ndutu - Serengeti

Today starts with an early morning visit to one of the natural wonders of the world, the volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro, which offers spectacular game viewing. We can almost guarantee you four of the Big Five will show up, as well as a rich variety of birds, all viewed against the backdrop of the thickly forested crater walls. Varied terrains and dramatic landscapes consisting of forest, grasslands and both freshwater and soda lakes make the Ngorongoro Crater a true marvel of creation.

Continue onto the Ndutu region of NCCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area).

The Serengeti/ NCVA region is home to more than three million large mammals spread over vast endless plains. It is here that we may encounter the fascinating spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, where one and a quarter million wildebeest trek in columns of up to forty kilometres long in search of grazing, drawing with them their predators and numerous other species of game.

From January to March the herds can largely be found birthing their young in the southern area around Ndutu, before proceeding north through the centre and Western Corridor during June and July, eventually splitting to the west and north as they continue their way toward the Mara River. August to October sees dramatic river crossings which can only be considered Africa’s “greatest leap of faith”, before the herds return south in November to repeat this amazing instinctive procession all over again.

Overnight: Ndutu Wilderness Camp for 3 nights

This intimate, comfortable tented camp is available in the Ndutu area of the Serengeti ecosystem typically from December—March, which coincides with the ‘calving season’.

It is placed in a private site, in the heart of the Ndutu plains – nestled under shady trees. Plenty of predators can be found year round in this area. The diverse eco-systems, from woodlands, to plains, to soda lakes, within the Ndutu area make it a unique place for bird watching.

The unfenced camp comprises just ten spacious tents (including a family tent/ triple available), all with solar lighting and en suite facilities (flushing toilet and shower). Comfortable beds with quality linen ensure a good night’s rest.

Our professional staff will be on hand to look after your every need, and our safari chef will prepare wholesome and varied meals during your stay at the camp. Meals are served in a large dining tent or alfresco. The central lounge and bar area is a great place to relax. The camp has complimentary WiFi.

Day 5: End of Itinerary

Morning transfer by road to Arusha/ Kilimanjaro Airport.

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Bougainvillea Lodge, Karatu
Day 2 - 4 : Ndutu Wilderness Camp, Ndutu - Serengeti