Overview
This safari takes you to the scenic shores of Lake Manyara, where you can spot pink flamingos, hippos, the famous tree-climbing lions, and an impressive variety of birdlife. You’ll also explore the Ndutu region, renowned during the calving season for its vast herds of migrating wildebeest and zebras, closely followed by lions, hyenas, and vultures taking advantage of the abundant wildlife activity. The journey concludes at the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, home to the endangered black rhino, flocks of pink flamingos on Lake Magadi, and the well-known Ngoitoktok Hippo Pool, making for an unforgettable safari experience.
Trip Highlights
- Mid-range tour: This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
- Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
- Not for solo travelers: Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
- Minimum age of 1 year: The minimum age for this tour is 1 year.
Itinerary
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be picked up by our guide at 8:00 AM and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a full-day safari. This scenic park is nestled between the Rift Valley escarpment and Lake Manyara, and is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and abundant birdlife—including flocks of pink flamingos that line the lake’s shores. Explore its lush groundwater forests, open savannahs, and lakeside habitats. Enjoy your packed lunches at the Msasa picnic site with stunning views of the lake. Continue with the game drive through the afternoon. By 4:00 PM, exit the park and head to Marera Valley Lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight, where you can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding highlands.
Main Destination:
Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation:
Marera Valley Lodge
Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP
Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast at the lodge, depart at 8:30 AM with packed lunches for the South Serengeti, specifically the Ndutu Plains famous for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration during the calving season. During this time, hundreds of wildebeests and zebras give birth on the open plains, attracting numerous predators. Witness dramatic wildlife scenes as hyenas, jackals, and vultures follow the herds, while big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards take advantage of the abundance of prey. The Ndutu region also offers a rich diversity of birdlife and stunning landscapes dotted with acacia trees. Enjoy game drives throughout the day as you track the movement and behavior of wildlife in this dynamic ecosystem. In the evening, head to Ndutu Heritage Tented Camp for dinner and overnight, where you can relax under the stars in the heart of the wilderness.
Main Destination:
Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
Accommodation:
Ndutu Heritage Camp
Mid-range tented camp located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Enjoy an early breakfast, then depart at sunrise from Ndutu Heritage Tented Camp with packed lunches for a full-day safari in the Ndutu Plains. This region, part of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is a prime location during the calving season of the Great Migration. With thousands of newborn wildebeests and zebras scattered across the plains, predator activity is intense offering excellent chances of witnessing a live hunt or dramatic predator-prey interactions. Watch lions, cheetahs, and hyenas on the move, and observe vultures and other scavengers feeding on fresh remains. Explore the varied terrain including woodland, grassland, and soda lakes teeming with birdlife. Break for lunch at a scenic spot in the bush, then continue your adventure into the afternoon. Return to camp for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the sounds of the African wild.
Main Destination:
Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
Accommodation:
Ndutu Heritage Camp
Mid-range tented camp located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After an early breakfast, depart from the lodge at 6:30 AM for a morning safari in the Ndutu Plains. Take advantage of the cool morning hours when wildlife is most active, increasing your chances of spotting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas on the hunt, as well as large herds of wildebeests and zebras grazing across the plains. Capture breathtaking scenes and enjoy the rich diversity of wildlife and bird species that thrive in this region. Return to the lodge by late morning for a hot lunch and a short rest. At 2:00 PM, begin your scenic journey from the South Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, ascending through highland forests and Maasai villages. Arrive at Hhando Coffee Lodge by 5:00 PM, located at 2,500 meters above sea level. Enjoy a warm welcome, dinner, and overnight in the cool mountain air with views of the forested crater rim.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation:
Hhando Coffee Lodge
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After an early breakfast, depart from the lodge at 6:30 AM with packed lunches for a full morning safari inside the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique ecosystem teeming with wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, large prides of lions, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species. Along the shores of Lake Magadi, spot pink flamingos and other waterbirds, while the crater floor presents stunning scenery and exceptional wildlife encounters. Stop for a picnic lunch at the famous Ngoitoktok Hippo Pool, where you can enjoy your meal in the company of hippos and breathtaking views. After lunch, around 1:00 PM, exit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and begin your drive back to Arusha. Arrive by approximately 5:00 PM for drop-off in town or at your hotel for onward travel arrangements.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
FAQs
The 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March) offers the unique opportunity to witness thousands of wildebeest calves being born on the Ndutu plains, attracting predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards, creating one of Africa’s most exciting wildlife spectacles.
The 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March) typically includes visits to the Ndutu region, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and often Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park, providing a diverse safari experience.
During the 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March), you can expect to see massive herds of wildebeest and zebras, newborn calves, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and a wide variety of bird species.
Yes, the 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March) is an excellent choice for photographers, offering dramatic wildlife interactions, newborn animals, predator action, and stunning landscapes that create exceptional photographic opportunities.
The 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March) includes comfortable mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps, depending on your package, ensuring a relaxing stay while keeping you close to the migration action.
The 5-Day Explore Great Migration Calving Season (Dec – March) is one of Tanzania’s most popular safari experiences, so it is recommended to book several months in advance to secure your preferred accommodation and travel dates during the peak calving season.
