7-Day Luxury Calving Season Safari
Follow the calving herds across Ndutu’s short-grass plains, where concentrations of cheetah, lion and hyena make this one of Tanzania’s most dramatic seasons.
Adapt this safari to my datesDesigned around the southern Serengeti calving season
From late December into March, migration herds gather around Ndutu in the southern Serengeti ecosystem. This route combines that predator-rich season with Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Calving-season focus
- Cheetah and lion country
- Ndutu plains
- Private photography time
- Luxury camps
- Ngorongoro Crater
Built for the calving months
Camp location and the balance between Ndutu and central Serengeti are adjusted to current herd reports.
Herds arrive
Season builds
Peak calving
Predator activity
Herds spread
Excellent photography
Route changes
Follow the migration
Day-by-day itinerary
This route is a starting point. Nights, camps and activities can all be adjusted.
Day 1Arusha to Tarangire
8:00 am Pick up from your accommodation in Arusha by your Eastco guide as we depart for Tarangire National Park to spend the afternoon game viewing. This evening we have the opportunity for a night game drive offering a different dimension of game viewing as we search for nocturnal wanderers. Dinner and overnight at Lemala Mpingo Ridge.
Day 2Lake Manyara NP
After breakfast, we have the opportunity for a morning walking safari, after refreshing we make our way to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for game viewing. Late afternoon we depart Lake Manyara and make our way to Karatu for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge.
Day 3Ndutu Plains NCAA
After breakfast we depart for Ndutu, climbing The Great Rift Valley escarpment passing by the Ngorongoro Crater. Upon arrival in the Ndutu region, we spend the remainder of the searching for the migration with a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Lake Masek Tented Lodge.
Day 4Ndutu Plains NCAA
Full day exploring Ndutu in Ngorongoro Conservation Area as we search for the great migration, this day is flexible in that we can either take a picnic lunch or early morning and late afternoon game drives and lunch within the camp. Dinner and overnight at Lake Masek Tented Lodge.
Day 5Serengeti National Park
This morning we depart for a sunrise balloon safari followed by a champagne English breakfast and a day of game viewing as we make our way into Serengeti National Park towards Seronera or central Serengeti with a picnic lunch. Late afternoon we make our way to Dunia Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 6Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, we enjoy our final morning exploring Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we depart for Naabi Hill gate and enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area where we have the opportunity to stretch the legs during a crater rim walk with an NCAA guided ranger. Late evening we make our way to Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight.
Day 7Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast this morning we descend the crater rim for game viewing on the crater floor with a picnic lunch. Afterwards, we ascend the 600m high crater walls and depart for Arusha or Kilimanjaro for onward connections. Recommend booking evening flights departing after 18:30.
Choose the level that suits you
We are not tied to particular camps. Recommendations are based on location, guiding, atmosphere and current value for your dates.
Classic
Comfortable, characterful tented camps and lodges in strong wildlife locations.
Explore Classic SafariLuxury
High-quality camps with excellent locations, polished service and added comfort.
Explore Luxury SafariUltra-luxury
Outstanding camps, private experiences and seamless logistics using the finest available options.
Typically included
- Private 4WD safari vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Accommodation and meals as proposed
- Park and conservation fees
- Unlimited game-drive kilometres
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Usually not included
- International flights and visas
- Travel and medical insurance
- Premium drinks and personal purchases
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not in the proposal
Local knowledge, private guiding and three decades of experience
Adapt this Predator Safari to your dates
Tell us your travel window and photography priorities. We’ll place the camps around the strongest current wildlife activity.
Plan My Private Safari