6 Days Calving Season Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ndutu & Ngorongoro Crater

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your driver-guide welcomes you and transfers you to your lodge in Arusha. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Meru, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush gardens. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the pool, explore the town, or simply unwind after your flight. In the evening, enjoy dinner as your guide briefs you about the exciting journey ahead. The following days promise breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the unforgettable spectacle of the calving season in the southern Serengeti.

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its vast elephant populations and striking baobab trees. The Tarangire River flows through the park, attracting countless animals during the dry months, while lush grasses fill the plains during the green season. Game drives reveal herds of elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes, along with predators that follow their movements. The park’s birdlife is exceptional, with colorful species filling the skies. A picnic lunch is served in the shade, followed by an afternoon drive as the golden light begins to fall across the savannah. You arrive at your lodge or tented camp by sunset, where dinner is served under a star-filled sky, completing a beautiful introduction to Tanzania’s wild side.

After breakfast, travel toward Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse reserve nestled along the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park’s forests, grasslands, and lakeshore provide habitats for elephants, hippos, and the park’s iconic tree-climbing lions. Flamingos and pelicans paint the lake in shades of pink, while monkeys swing from giant fig trees above. A morning game drive takes you through this vibrant ecosystem, filled with color and movement. After a picnic lunch, continue toward Karatu, a charming highland town surrounded by coffee farms. Your lodge offers comfort and views over rolling hills. Relax in the evening with a hearty dinner and the cool highland breeze — tomorrow, the journey leads to the wildlife-rich plains of Ndutu.

After breakfast, set out for the Ndutu region, located between the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During the calving season, this area transforms into one of the most remarkable wildlife destinations in Africa. Between January and March, over half a million wildebeest calves are born, attracting predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The short grass plains provide excellent visibility, offering thrilling game drives filled with dramatic interactions between predator and prey. You’ll also encounter zebras, gazelles, and countless bird species. A picnic lunch keeps you close to the action, ensuring no moment is missed. Arrive at your tented camp in the late afternoon, where you can enjoy a sundowner as herds graze nearby. Dinner and overnight at your camp, surrounded by the sounds of the Serengeti.

Spend a full day exploring the Ndutu plains, immersing yourself in the drama and beauty of the calving season. Early morning game drives capture golden light across the grasslands, as newborn wildebeests take their first steps and predators lurk in the distance. This is a photographer’s paradise, with endless opportunities to capture moments of new life and raw wilderness. After a bush breakfast, continue tracking the herds with your guide, learning about migration patterns and animal behavior. A picnic lunch is served under the shade of acacias before another afternoon drive. As evening falls, return to camp to relax by the fire and share stories from the day. The Ndutu region at this time of year feels alive in every sense — wild, moving, and unforgettable.

After an early breakfast, journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife. The crater floor is home to lions, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, and even the rare black rhino. The scenery is spectacular, with grassy plains, shimmering lakes, and dense forests all contained within the crater’s walls. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool while watching wildlife gather at the water’s edge. In the afternoon, ascend to the rim and continue back toward Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you may transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure. As your safari ends, you carry home memories of Tanzania’s calving season — a celebration of new life and the timeless rhythm of the wild.