5 DAYS NDUTU CALVING SEASON & SOUTHERN SERENGETI
Built for immersive Great Migration adventures, this safari explores Ndutu’s calving season, with game drives, predator encounters, newborn wildebeest, and an unforgettable hot-air balloon safari.
5 Days / 4 Nights
Mid-Range Safaris
Max 7 People
From $2,350
Tarangire National Park • Ndutu • Ngorongoro Crater • Mto wa Mbu
Experience the highlights of northern Tanzania on this carefully designed five-day safari. The journey combines spectacular wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park, the remarkable Ndutu plains, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater with authentic cultural experiences.
The safari also includes a memorable morning hot-air balloon safari over Ndutu, a visit to a Maasai community, and a cultural cycling experience in Mto wa Mbu.
Throughout the journey, you will travel with an experienced safari guide and enjoy comfortable accommodation, carefully selected to complement each destination.
Things to Know
Wildebeest Calving Season
newborn calves and intense predator activity creating remarkable wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Predator Tracking
With an experienced safari guide, follow animal tracks and signs while looking for lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other predators.
Tarangire Elephants
Tarangire afternoon game drive among giant baobabs and elephant herds.
Private 4x4
Private 4×4 vehicle with pop-up roof and expert safari guide.
Golden Hour Safaris
Capture breathtaking close-ups during optimal lighting schedules customized specifically for photographers.
Hot air balloons
unforgettable hot-air balloon safari, marvelling at the wildlife from aloft. Don’t let this unique adventure float away without you!. 1 day—Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari $815-950 USDpp
Day 1 Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Afternoon game drive in Tarangire among ancient baobabs and large elephant herds. Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant populations and iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape. The Tarangire River attracts wildlife from across the region during the dry season, creating some of the best game viewing outside the Serengeti. Look for lions resting in the shade, giraffes browsing the treetops, and flocks of colorful birds. The park is also home to rare species like the fringe-eared oryx and the gerenuk. Return to your lodge as the sun sets behind the baobabs.
- Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Tarangire to Ndutu Area
- 225 km
- Ndutu safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
Day 3: NDUTU PLAINS – BALLOON SAFARI & GAME DRIVES
Today is dedicated to exploring the spectacular Ndutu plains, an important wildlife area within the greater Serengeti ecosystem. Your morning begins with an unforgettable hot-air balloon safari, offering breathtaking views over the plains as the landscape awakens below. From the air, you may see wildlife moving across the open grasslands and seasonal habitats. After landing, enjoy breakfast before continuing with game drives across the Ndutu area. Your experienced guide will help you search for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, and other wildlife. Depending on the season, the area can offer particularly rewarding sightings associated with the annual wildebeest movement and calving period. Return to your accommodation later for dinner and a comfortable full-board overnight stay with unforgettable moments together.
Activities: Morning balloon safari, breakfast, full-day game drives
- ⏱️ Full day game drive
- Ndutu safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
DAY 4: NDUTU – NGORONGORO CRATER
After breakfast, leave the Ndutu area for a game-drive transfer toward the Ngorongoro Crater. The journey combines wildlife viewing with changing landscapes as you approach the dramatic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the crater for an exciting game drive on the crater floor, where the enclosed ecosystem supports an impressive variety of wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by spectacular scenery before continuing your afternoon exploration. You may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and many other species during the drive. As the day comes to an end, ascend from the crater and continue to Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge. Relax at the lodge, enjoy dinner, and appreciate the peaceful highland atmosphere after an exciting day of safari adventures.
Activities: Game-drive transfer, Ngorongoro Crater game drive, picnic lunch
- 90–100 km Distance ⏱️About 2.5 hours
- Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
DAY 5: MTO WA MBU CULTURAL CYCLING – ARUSHA/KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
Your final day combines cultural discovery, cycling, and a relaxed journey toward Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport. After breakfast, drive for about one hour from your lodge to Mtu wa Mbu, a vibrant village known for cultural diversity and community tourism. Begin a guided cycling excursion through the surrounding area, passing local farms, homes, plantations, and village landscapes while learning about everyday life from your guide. The cycling experience offers a chance to interact respectfully with local communities and appreciate the area beyond wildlife safaris. After the ride, enjoy an authentic local lunch featuring traditional Tanzanian dishes. Following lunch, meet your driver for the final transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, marking the end of your five-day safari adventure together.
Activities: Cultural cycling tour, village visit, authentic local lunch, departure transfer
- Road transfer Distance ⏱️ Morning game drive and transfer
- Lodging:none
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's Included & Not Included
What's Included
- Luxury lodge & boutique safari tent accommodation
- All gourmet meals (breakfast, lunch, multi-course dinners)
- Daily game drives in open-sided 4x4 safari cruisers
- Professional English-speaking naturalist guides & trackers
- All national park entry permits & conservation fees
- Complimentary airstrip transfers and local taxes
What's Not Included
- International flights & entry visa fees
- Tips for guide and camp staff (recommended USD 15-20 per day)
- Discretionary camp staff & guide gratuities
- Mandatory medical evacuation & travel insurance
- Optional hot air balloon safaris (can be pre-booked)
- Premium reserve wines, champagnes & spirits
- Hot Air Balloon Safari $815-950 USDpp
- Personal expenses (laundry, spa treatments, souvenirs)
Pricing & Group Rates
Important Information
Visa & Entry Requirements
Currency & Tipping
US Dollars universally accepted. Credit cards are valid at major lodges, but carrying small cash denominations is essential for gratuities and local artisan crafts.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Ndutu is from December to March, especially January to March during the wildebeest calving season. This period offers excellent opportunities for witnessing newborn calves, predator activity, large herds, and spectacular wildlife experiences across the Ndutu plains.
Safety & Insurance
Have lingering questions about your upcoming trip? Our team of dedicated safari specialists is on hand to guide you through visa applications, custom flight connections, and local regulations. Get in touch with an expert today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go on a safari?
The best time depends on your interests. For Ndutu and the wildebeest calving season, December to March is ideal, with January to March offering excellent opportunities to see newborn calves, predators, and large herds across the plains.
