5 Days Mid-Range Southern Serengeti Calving Safari (January-March)

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Description

Experience the world's most breathtaking wildlife event with our 5-Day Mid-Range Southern Serengeti Calving Safari from January to March. Stay in comfortable, carefully selected mid-range lodges and seasonal tented camps situated right in the heart of the calving action in Ndutu and Southern Serengeti. Witness over 8,000 newborn wildebeest calves born every single day, marvel at the tender interactions between mothers and young, and follow exhilarating big cat hunts across open plains. From the iconic baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire to permitted off-road tracking in Ndutu and a descent into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, this tour provides an unforgettable mid-range safari experience.

Day 01:Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Your safari begins with a morning pickup in Arusha, driving across the Maasai Steppe to Tarangire National Park. Known for its giant baobab trees and Tanzania's densest elephant herds, Tarangire offers great game viewing along the Tarangire River. Spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and hundreds of bird species before heading to your comfortable mid-range lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 02:Tarangire to Southern Serengeti & Ndutu Calving Heartland

After breakfast, journey through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands and descend into the vast short-grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Arrive surrounded by endless herds of wildebeest and zebras. Embark on an afternoon game drive capturing baby calves taking their first steps and predators on the prowl. Check in at your mid-range tented camp for dinner and an evening under the stars.

Day 03:Full Day Witnessing Calving & Big Cats in Southern Serengeti / Ndutu

Enjoy a full day dedicated to tracking the calving herds and resident predators. With permitted off-road driving in the NCAA Ndutu sector, your expert guide gets you close to predator-prey dynamics, cheetah chases, and thousands of newborn calves. Explore Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, enjoy a scenic bush picnic lunch, and return to your comfortable tented camp for a warm campfire and dinner.

Day 04:Southern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim Mid-Range Lodge

Start with an early morning game drive across the plains when big cats are most active. After breakfast at camp, proceed with game viewing as you travel toward the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Check in to your mid-range lodge situated on the crater rim with magnificent views over the caldera. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night's rest.

Day 05:Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari & Return to Arusha

Descend 600 meters early into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a 5-6 hour Big Five wildlife tour. Encounter endangered black rhinos, pride lions, tuskers, and hippos around Lake Magadi and Ngoitokitok spring. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch on the crater floor before ascending and driving back to Arusha or transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.

Included

Mid-range lodge & tented camp full board (All Meals)
Customized 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking Driver/Guide
All National Park & Ndutu Concession Fees
Ngorongoro Crater vehicle descent & service fee
Unlimited game drives & mineral water on safari

Excluded

International & domestic flights
Tanzania Tourist Visa fees
Comprehensive travel & medical insurance
Alcoholic & soft sodas/beverages
Personal laundry, gifts & souvenirs
Tips to your Driver/Guide and lodge staff

Booking form

Frequently Asked Questions

The 5-Day Mid-Range Southern Serengeti Calving Safari offers the perfect balance of comfort and high-action wildlife adventure from January to March. Stay in quality mid-range tented camps and safari lodges while experiencing the Great Wildebeest Migration calving season, big cat hunts, Tarangire elephants, and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Mid-range safari lodges and mobile tented camps provide excellent comfort—including en-suite private bathrooms with hot running showers, flush toilets, comfortable beds, delicious chef-cooked multi-course meals, and prime locations right along the migration corridor without luxury price tags.

The peak calving window occurs between January and March, with the highest concentration of births happening throughout February when roughly 8,000 calves are born daily across the short-grass plains.

This itinerary explores Tarangire National Park (famous for elephants and baobabs), the Southern Serengeti / Ndutu calving grounds (in both Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area), and the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater.

You will witness hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra mothers with newborn calves, cheetahs stalking and sprinting across the plains, lion prides resting on kopjes, leopards in fever trees, hyenas, jackals, large elephant herds, and endangered black rhinos in Ngorongoro.

Yes, all game drives are conducted in custom-built 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers featuring pop-up photographic roofs, charging sockets, a cooler box with bottled mineral water, and guaranteed window seats for all guests.

Yes! In the Ndutu section governed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, licensed safari driver-guides are permitted to track off-road, allowing intimate views of newborn calves and predator hunts.

Our selected mid-range lodges and tented camps feature private en-suite bathrooms, 24-hour electricity or solar lighting, charging facilities in central lounges and rooms, mosquito nets, complimentary Wi-Fi in common areas, and hearty full-board dining.

Bring neutral safari clothing (khaki, tan, olive), a warm jacket or fleece for cool mornings and the crater rim, wide-brim sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera with extra memory cards/batteries, binoculars, and insect repellent.

Cancellations made 30+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations made 15-29 days prior receive a 50% refund. Rescheduling is available up to 14 days prior to arrival depending on lodge availability.