NDUTU MIGRATION CALVING SEASON SAFARI
7 days Ndutu wildebeest calving season safari - Wildebeest migration pattern
Join our 7-Day Ndutu Wildebeest Calving Season Safari for an incredible adventure in Africa. You'll witness one of the continent's largest gatherings of predators drawn by the vast herds of wildebeest in February and March. This safari includes Serengeti safaris, setting the stage for the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration. You'll also explore the Ngorongoro Crater, home to endangered black rhinos residing in the crater's valley, offering breathtaking views. Additionally, we'll visit the Olduvai Gorge, a site where significant discoveries about early mankind were made over 2 million years ago.
7 DAY NDUTU MIGRATION SAFARI TOUR SUMMARY
Destinations: Arusha, Serengeti South, Serengeti South, Serengeti Central Seronera, Ngorongoro, Arusha (Departure)
Level of Accommodation: Standard comfortable Lodge/Camps
Group size: Min Number of Participants: 2
Max number of participants: 6 people Per Vehicle (window seat guaranteed)
Schedule Dates: Depart any day of December to Mach
Detailed Itinerary 7 Days Ndutu, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Migration Safari
7 Day Ndutu Migration safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your safari begins at 8 AM with a pickup from your Arusha hotel. After everyone is ready, you'll head to Tarangire National Park. The drive is about 150 km and takes around 3 hours. This park is famous for its diverse landscape and nine different vegetation zones. As you start your game drive, you'll be greeted by ancient and enormous Baobab trees, which even make giraffes look small.
The game drive continues until late afternoon and includes a break for a picnic lunch. The park, covering 3,000 square km, gets its name from the Tarangire River running through it. The river attracts a variety of animals, and you'll likely see elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, and zebras. If you're lucky, you might even spot a tree-climbing python or the long-necked gerenuk. Tarangire National Park boasts the highest concentration of elephants, offering a unique chance to observe interactions between elephant families. Don't forget to capture this beautiful scenery with your camera ready. After the game drive, you'll head back to your camp or lodge for a delicious dinner and a good night's sleep.
Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Tarangire to Ndutu NCA
You'll start your day with a tasty breakfast around 8 AM. Your destination today is the Ndutu region, a 3-hour drive from your accommodation in Karatu. As you drive, you'll enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), and you'll notice the landscape changing from hilly forests to open green grasslands. When you reach Ndutu, your day's game drive will begin, with a convenient stop for a picnic lunch. The sweeping grasslands of Ndutu gradually blend into the Serengeti. Ndutu is part of the route for the annual migration of over 2 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras, antelopes, and gazelles. If you visit between December and April, you'll see the fertile plains become calving grounds and a nursery for the great migration.
This season attracts many predators hunting vulnerable young wildebeests. With Ndutu Lake and Lake Masek, these waterholes offer plenty of wildlife during the dry season. Ndutu is also the home of six species of big cats – leopards, lions, cheetahs, caracals, servals, and wildcats. Your action-packed game drive ends around 5 PM, and you'll head to your chosen accommodation for a freshly prepared dinner. Rest well for another exciting day.
Main Destination: Ndutu NCA
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Ndutu
Still amazed by the previous day's wildlife sightings, you have another opportunity to witness this magnificent natural spectacle. The Ndutu region is part of the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). After breakfast, you'll embark on a full-day game drive, following the migration based on its location in the NCA or Serengeti. Between December and April, you'll witness the fertile plains becoming calving grounds and nurseries for the great migration.
This season attracts many predators hunting vulnerable young wildebeests. Observing the circle of life taking its course will be an unforgettable experience etched in your memory. The action-packed game drive ends around 5 PM, and you'll return to your accommodation for dinner. You'll stay at your chosen Ndutu NCA camp or lodge.
Main Destination: Ndutu NCA
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Ndutu to Serengeti National Park
Get ready for an exciting day as you head to the world's most famous wildlife park, the Serengeti. After a hearty breakfast, you'll journey to the Serengeti National Park, surrounded by vast grasslands. The name "Serengeti" means "endless plains" in the local African language, and the sight of the grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see, merging with the sky at the horizon, is breathtaking. Covering an area of 14,763 square km, the Serengeti is home to Africa's renowned "Big 5" – elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, and leopards.
In addition to the "Big 5," you'll encounter one of Africa's most beautiful animals, the Impala. The Serengeti ecosystem supports a high concentration of plains game in Africa. Keep an eye out for the Serengeti "Kopjes," massive granite boulders that provide shelter for various flora and fauna. You'll have a picnic lunch during the day-long game drive. The eventful day concludes with a hearty dinner and a peaceful night at your chosen accommodation.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti
Begin your full-day game drive around 8 AM, following a filling breakfast. Today, you'll explore the central part of the Serengeti National Park. The central Serengeti, known as the Seronera area, is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which attracts a variety of wildlife representative of most of the Serengeti's species.
During the off-season of the migration, keep an eye out for the many lion prides thriving in this region. Their interactions and survival provide an excellent game-viewing experience year-round. Along with a picnic lunch during the full-day game drive, the day will end around 5 PM. After a long day, enjoy a hearty dinner and rest in your chosen accommodation. Get a good night's sleep, as the next day takes you to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Around 9 AM, you'll embark on a short game drive in the Serengeti after a delicious breakfast. After completing a half-day game drive with a picnic lunch, you'll head to the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
The 75 km drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim takes about 2.5 hours, with mild game action along the way. The crater is one of Africa's impressive geological wonders and a supreme wilderness mecca. After an eventful day, enjoy a hearty dinner and rest in your chosen accommodation. Refuel and rest well, as the next day takes you into the massive crater.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Crater Tour (5 hours) and Return to Arusha
On the last day of your safari, you'll start early. After a quick breakfast, you'll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater floor at around 6:30 AM. This massive crater is the world's largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera, with a floor covering about 260 square km and a depth of over 2,000 feet. During the 5-hour game drive on the crater floor, you'll witness a lot of animal activity. Be sure to keep your camera ready.
The Ngorongoro Crater is home to African elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, and lions, and you'll have the chance to see many of these animals. After a picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you'll make a steep ascent to the crater's top exit. This is the final leg of your safari, with a 4-hour drive left to Arusha. You'll be dropped off at your preferred location in Arusha around 6 PM. With incredible experiences and lasting memories, it's time to bid farewell to your team.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
🌋 Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai – FAQs
1. Where is Lake Natron located?
Lake Natron lies in northern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border within the Great Rift Valley. It sits beneath the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai and near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The area is remote, wild, and incredibly scenic — ideal for travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures.
2. Why is Lake Natron famous?
Lake Natron is world-famous for its vivid red and pink soda waters, caused by high salinity and microorganisms. It’s also the main breeding site for East Africa’s lesser flamingos, which gather by the thousands to nest along the shores. The surreal landscapes and reflection views make it a photographer’s paradise.
3. Can you swim in Lake Natron?
No — swimming in Lake Natron’s main waters isn’t recommended because of the extreme alkalinity and high temperatures (up to 60°C). However, travellers can swim in nearby freshwater streams and waterfalls, such as Engare Sero Waterfall, located a short hike from most lodges or camps.
4. What makes Ol Doinyo Lengai unique?
Known as the “Mountain of God” in Maasai culture, Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active carbonatite volcano in the world. Its lava flows at relatively low temperatures, creating striking black formations. The mountain is also a sacred site for local Maasai communities, adding cultural depth to the trekking experience.
5. Can visitors climb Ol Doinyo Lengai?
Yes, adventurers can hike to the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai, but it’s a challenging overnight climb that requires fitness, stamina, and an early morning start (often at midnight). The trek rewards you with spectacular sunrise views over Lake Natron, the Rift Valley, and the distant Serengeti plains.
6. When is the best time to visit Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai?
The dry season (June to October) is ideal for visiting Lake Natron, offering clear skies and easy hiking conditions. The wet season (November–May) brings more water, lush vegetation, and active flamingo nesting — perfect for photographers and nature lovers.
7. What kind of wildlife can I see around Lake Natron?
Lake Natron supports an impressive array of birdlife — especially lesser flamingos, pelicans, and other migratory species. You may also encounter zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, ostriches, and gazelles roaming the surrounding plains. The combination of wildlife, volcanic landscapes, and Maasai villages makes it a rich cultural and natural destination.
8. How do I get to Lake Natron?
Travellers can reach Lake Natron via road safari from Arusha, Mto wa Mbu, or Serengeti, depending on their itinerary. The drive is scenic but rough — a true African adventure through Maasai villages, Rift Valley escarpments, and dry riverbeds. A fly-in option to nearby airstrips can be arranged for greater comfort and time savings.
9. What activities can I do at Lake Natron?
Popular activities include:
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Flamingo and bird watching
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Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai
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Hiking to Engare Sero waterfalls
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Cultural visits to Maasai villages
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Sunrise and sunset photography
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Exploring fossilised footprints believed to be thousands of years old