3-Day Ndutu Safari: Experience the Calving Season (December–March)

3-Day Ndutu Safari: Experience the Calving Season (December–March)

3 Day Ndutu Calving Season Safari Tanzania- During this unforgettable three-day safari adventure in Northern Tanzania, you will explore three of the country’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Ndutu area of the Serengeti ecosystem. This carefully designed itinerary offers an exceptional introduction to Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and world-famous Great Migration calving season.

Your journey begins in Tarangire National Park, a wildlife haven especially renowned for its vast elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. The Tarangire River, which flows year-round, acts as a vital lifeline for animals, attracting large numbers of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. As you enjoy your game drive, you can expect to encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas, and warthogs. Tarangire is also a paradise for bird lovers, with over 500 bird species recorded, including ostriches, secretary birds, eagles, and colorful bee-eaters. The wide open savannah, mixed with woodlands and riverine habitats, provides excellent opportunities for photography and relaxed game viewing.

On the second day, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed by a collapsed volcanic caldera, the crater floor supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. Within this natural enclosure, animals live year-round, making wildlife sightings remarkably consistent. During your guided game drive, you may encounter lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, spotted hyenas, and large herds of wildebeest and zebras. The crater is also one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the endangered black rhinoceros, a rare and unforgettable sight. Scenic crater lakes attract flamingos and other water birds, while open grasslands offer perfect hunting grounds for predators.

The final day of your safari takes you to the Ndutu area, located in the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Ndutu is especially famous for the Great Migration calving season, which occurs between December and March. During this period, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather on the fertile plains to give birth. It is estimated that thousands of calves are born each day, creating a dramatic and life-filled landscape. This abundance of prey also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, making Ndutu one of the best locations in Africa to witness predator action and raw wildlife behavior.

Unlike many national parks, Ndutu allows off-road driving in designated areas, giving your guide the flexibility to follow wildlife movements more closely and enhance your viewing experience. The open plains, scattered acacia trees, and seasonal lakes provide breathtaking scenery and a true sense of wilderness.

Throughout the safari, you will be accompanied by a professional, knowledgeable driver-guide who will share insights into animal behavior, ecosystems, and local conservation efforts. Comfortable safari vehicles, well-planned routes, and carefully selected accommodations ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

This three-day safari is ideal for travelers seeking maximum wildlife diversity in a short time, combining classic parks with the unique magic of the Great Migration calving season. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Africa or a returning safari enthusiast, this journey promises unforgettable encounters, stunning landscapes, and memories that will last a lifetime

Itinerary Summary

Day 1
Tarangire National Park
Day 2
Ndutu
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater

Price Rates

2 persons
4 persons
6+ persons
$1600.00
$1500.00
$1350.00

Plan My Trip

Tour
  • STEP 1
  • STEP 2
Day 1
Tarangire National Park

Your safari begins with a pickup from your hotel in Arusha, followed by a visit to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy an exciting game drive with opportunities to spot lions, zebras, giraffes, and a wide variety of bird species. After a day of adventure, relax with dinner and spend the night in comfortable accommodations, perfectly preparing you for the journey ahead.

Meals Plan:

Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:

Farm Of Dream Lodge

Day 2
Ndutu

Today starts with an early morning game drive in the Ndutu area, famous for the wildebeest calving season in February and March. Your guide will follow the trails of the Great Migration, and with a bit of luck, you may witness wildebeest giving birth—a truly unforgettable experience.

The high concentration of animals also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards, providing thrilling wildlife encounters. You may even choose to enjoy lunch surrounded by the migrating herds. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your camp.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:

Ndutu Heritage Camp

Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater

This morning, you’ll journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, a breathtaking wildlife sanctuary. Spend the day exploring the crater floor, home to a remarkable variety of animals, birds, and plants. With much of the wildlife concentrated within the crater walls, game viewing is exceptional—spotting rhinos, lions, and cheetahs is common. In the late afternoon, you’ll drive back to Arusha and be dropped off at your hotel, concluding your unforgettable safari experience.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch

Included

Accommodation in lodges/camps as per the itinerary

All meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game drives

Services of a professional English-speaking guide/driver

Park entrance fees and government taxes

Bottled water during game drives

Excluded

International and domestic flights to/from Tanzania

Travel insurance

Visa fees

Personal items (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls)

Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)

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