
8 Days The Great Wildebeest Calving Migration Safari with Cultural Hike
An 8-day Tanzania calving migration safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ndutu and Central Serengeti
Overview
8-day Tanzania calving migration safari
From December to April, this 8-day Tanzania calving migration safari follows the herds across the Ndutu plains and Central Serengeti.
The Great Wildebeest Calving Migration Safari has been designed specifically to focus on following the Great Serengeti Wildebeest migration during calving from December to April. The areas to be covered are Lake Ndutu area, as well as the Southern and Central areas of Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest are usually found. A visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater is part of this safari as well.
The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas in Tanzania are the best locations for the months of January, February and March to witness thousands of wildebeest spread across the plains grazing on the rich short grass plains. Predator action is at its peak with great sightings of cheetah, lion, hyena and leopard and a very good chance to see adrenalin packed kills.
Travel logistics
Start / Finish
Start
- Arusha
- JROKilimanjaro International Airport
Finish
- Arusha
- JROKilimanjaro International Airport
Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special
Witness the Great Migration herds
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater
Optional hot-air balloon safari
Guided walking safari
Explore Tarangire National Park
Explore Lake Manyara National Park
Day by Day
8-day Tanzania calving migration safari itinerary
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our staff will answer all your queries regarding your upcoming safari and provide you with a short briefing as well. Afterwards, you will be taken to your accommodation at Kibo Palace Hotel.
After your breakfast at the Kibo Palace Hotel, we will pick you up and proceed to Tarangire National park. One of the largest national park in Tanzania located in Manyara region, this place is characterized by the large herds of elephants, tree climbing lions, and the fascinating baobab trees also called the Tree of Life for its almost mythical powers that some cultures attach to it. This park is especially known for Tarangire river which flows all year round and the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons.
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic lake that made Ernest Hemingway exclaim "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". This offers a compact-game viewing circuit and is one of the most diverse reserves in the country. Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park and at the backdrop is the wall of the Great Rift Valley.
Over 400 species of birds can be found in Manyara and include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks.
After breakfast, we will set off for Ndutu area situated in the Ngorongoro conservation area, which is part of the southern Serengeti eco-system. Lake Ndutu like most other rift lakes is alkaline however the water is still drinkable and consumed by a wide array of local wildlife.
We will spend the afternoon with a game drive in the Ndutu area. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day game drive in the Ndutu area exploring a great range of various habitats such as swamps, woodland, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. You will witness herds of wildebeest and zebras especially during a short time-frame from around February and lasting for about 3 weeks where majority of the wildebeest calve.
The sea of grass provides little cover and the young makes an easy prey for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they were born and within 3 days, they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
In the afternoon, we will set off for Serengeti National Park.
After breakfast, we will proceed for a full day of game drives in the wilderness tracking the Great migration trails. Our experienced driver tour guide will provide you with interesting facts about this highly renowned event, which made Tanzania the top safari destination in Africa.
Serengeti, a UNESCO world heritage site is home to around 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle joining the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Listen to the exotic sounds of over 6 million hooves pounding the open plains of Serengeti just like how you imagined African wild life to be.
HOT AIR BALLOON PER PERSON COST $546 (price are separate from the total price above)
We will have an early breakfast and afterwards drive to the famous Ngorongoro Conservation area. From here, we will descend down to 600 meters into the crater to view an array of wildlife.
With its year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants among others.
What makes this attraction especially famous is the dense population of predators such as lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which requires a trained eye to be spotted. We will also visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the south-west corner and one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually be seen in this lake.
After breakfast, we will drive mto wa mbu for a morning cultural tour and walking safari. We will have a sumptuous local lunch as we take in the stunning views hovering us. An optional mountain biking activity can be arranged at an added cost.
In the afternoon, we will head back to Arusha or to the airport for your flight back home.
Gallery
Photographs
Where You Stay
Handpicked
Retreats
Every lodge and camp is chosen for its location, character and comfort, so the place you rest is as memorable as the adventure itself.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Camping Equipment
- Porterage
Not Included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Travel insurance and medical repatriation
- Items of a personal nature
- Rescue Fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
Questions
Frequently Asked
The price covers park fees; all activities (unless labeled as optional); all accommodation as stated in the itinerary; a professional driver/guide; all transportation (unless labeled as optional). Budget separately for international flights (from/to home); additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour; tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day). Your personalized quote confirms the full breakdown line by line.
The prime months for this itinerary are January, February and March. That said, Tanzania rewards visitors in every season. Tell us your travel dates and we'll advise exactly what to expect.
This is a private, tailor-made safari for your own party of 2 to 12 guests. You won't be grouped with strangers. The itinerary, vehicle and guide are yours alone.
You'll stay at Kibo Palace Hotel, Serian Tarangire Camp, Acacia Farm Lodge, Enkutoto Migration Camp, Olkarien Eco Safari Lodge and Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge, as laid out in the day-by-day itinerary. If availability requires it, we substitute properties of a similar or better standard and always confirm before you travel.
Send an inquiry through the form on this page and our safari experts will come back with a personalized quote within 24 hours, free and with no obligation. Once the plan feels right, we lock in your dates and lodges.
Absolutely. Treat the 8-day program as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, upgrade or change lodges, add days, or combine it with other destinations. Tell us what your ideal trip looks like and we'll shape it around you.
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