Overview
This drive in safari is best experienced during the months of January to March, and ideally February when the calving season happens in the South of the Serengeti.
The Ndutu area is famed for its short grass plains which grow grass which is particularly rich in nutrients and sustains the migratory animals whilst they have their babies. Traditionally the wildebeest and zebra tend to calve on these plains with a peak around February which makes for a beautiful natural spectacle and some exciting predator hunting behaviors.
The Wildebeest continue to feed on the short grass plains well into March gaining strength for the long migration to the North following the rains and the new pastures.
Best Time to Go on this Trip
Peak, Low and Mixed are an indication of season and price.
| JANUARY | FERBURY | MARCH | DECEMBER |
Itinerary
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) which caters for domestic flights, you will be met by Let's view Tanzania representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. overnight will be at the Ilboru Safari Lodge a Calm lodge located in the suburbs of the city with a natural set up with beautiful garden awaiting for your safari the following day.
Accommodation : Hotel / Lodge
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Travel through towards Tarangire National park, including a short safari within this beautiful park best known for its herds of elephants and large baobabs. Spend a couple of hours in the park and exit to reach Maramboi tented Lodge. Dinner and night included at the lodge.
Situated in the ecosystem of Lake Manyara, in fields of golden vegetation, Maramboi Tented Camp is the ideal base to visit the surrounding parks. The Wildlife calls at the door of Maramboi Tented Lodge. Zebras, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles are running free in the reserve, appearing between the palm trees from the terrace of your exclusive tent. Relax at the large swimming pool whilst enjoying a cool drink after a walk by the lake shore, and enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars.
** Note: depending on your flight times, you might require a pre-or/and post night in Arusha, contact us for options. **
>Includes & Excludes
* Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
* Drinks: Local brands included
* Activities: Included
* Transport: Included
Breakfast at camp and spend the day game viewing in Lake Manyara National park with a packed picnic lunch. The park covers an area of 330 sq km / 125 sq mile including a lake surface of 230 sq km / 89 sq miles. Behind the splendid scenery of the Great Rift Valley’s steep escarpment in the west, you will find silvery bowls of salt deposits of the alkaline Lake Manyara (depending on seasonality) and attracting a lot of flamingoes. There are grassy floodplains, mixed acacia woodlands and patches of ever green forests.
The wildlife includes a big number of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, and warthogs. There is a healthy population of lions that are widely known tree climbing capability, as well as very large number of baboons which can live in sizeable troops of up to 200 members.
Return to Camp / Hotel on time for dinner and night.
>Includes & Excludes
* Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
* Drinks: Local brands included
* Activities: Included
* Transport: Included
This morning, early wake up call and breakfast for the drive to the Serengeti plains and the Southern sector, where the herds are typically located at this time of the year (January to March).
A packed lunch will be enjoyed en -route and you arrive late afternoon at the lodge, with a super location in the area. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and enjoy your first night in the cottage with your private terrace overlooking the plain. You are never far from the host of birds and mammals who call the Ndutu area home.
* Staying at Ndutu Safari Lodge
>Includes & Excludes
* Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
* Drinks: Local brands included
* Activities: Included
* Transport: Included
You will have two full days to experience wonderful game viewing, and, if you are lucky, watching the spectacle of life with the birth of hundreds of baby wildebeest. Predators like lions and hyenas are constantly hunting for babies, and thousands and thousands of calves are born within a couple weeks of each other – a feast for the eyes of true wildlife enthusiasts.
As the sun lowers drive back to the lodge, spend some time around the campfire, watch the sunset spread across the plains and the moon rise above the acacia trees.
* Staying at Ndutu Safari Lodge
>Includes & Excludes
* Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
* Drinks: Local brands included
* Activities: Included
* Transport: Included
Today, you will drive back through the Serengeti plains to reach the Ngorongoro Crater Rim and spend the night at a camp, not too far from one of the entry gate. The rest of the day is spend at leisure to appreciate the nature around you, and possibility to visit a local village (chat to your guide, depending on the time you have available, note that a donation will be required).
The crater has formed its own ecosystem due to its enclosed nature, and is one place where you can certainly tick all the boxes. Sublime scenery, abundant wildlife, it’s very own distinctive Lerai Forest comprised of yellow fever trees and Lake Magadi, a shallow soda lake. Early dinner and night in preparation for an early wake up call.
* Staying at Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
>Includes & Excludes
* Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
* Drinks: Local brands included
* Activities: Included
* Transport: Included
You have the opportunity to travel down the Crater floor very early this morning. The drive descends through a lush highland forest, with magnificent birdlife to be spotted among the different tree species. Once on the grassy crater floor, you may discover a large variety of grazing herbivores, as well as the predators that are attracted by this abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingo around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippos. Spend a few hours game viewing and stop en-route to a picnic area to enjoy your packed breakfast.
Once the sun is high and the crater becomes busy with vehicles, exit the area and travel through to Arusha. Depending on your flight time, you can stop in Arusha to stretch your legs, or direct transfer to JRO on time for your flight; or contact us to extend your safari.
FAQs about Affordable Calving Season Safari
- Safari lodges have guest rooms similar to a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. They are comfortably furnished with facilities normally associated with a hotel rooms, except your rooms are normally set in beautiful wilderness settings, with nature and wildlife around.
- Tented lodges have rooms which are tents on a platform and with a roof and also have en-suite facilities with showers, flush toilets and hot water. Basically all the amenities of a hotel room, except canvas walls and roof.
- The boutique lodges and camps can be very stylish and smart in terms of design and decor, often with very spacious rooms and even going so far in some cases as having plunge pools for each room.
- Eco-camps and smaller tented camps have insect-proof tents with en-suite facilities including a safari shower and flush toilet. They give a more authentic safari experience but the tents are comfortably furnished with proper beds and you don’t need to bring your own sleeping bag! The emphasis is usually on having excellent guides and great wildlife viewing away from the crowds. Guests often eat together and people travelling alone usually say that they found the atmosphere friendly and enjoyed meeting other like-minded travellers around the campfire in the evening or at dinner.
- The Adventure Camps are a budget option with guests bringing their own sleeping bags and towels. Accommodation is in small dome tented with a mattress on the floor. Each tent has its own nearby cubicle with a flush toilet, safari shower, and wash basin. The Adventure Camps are suitable only for those who don’t mind “real camping” and can put with some degree of “roughing it”. Apart from the accommodation in simple dome tents, the meals and the guiding are the same standards as the higher quality camps and game drives are in 4×4 safari vehicles. For those on a limited budget, the Adventure Camps are a good alternative to the big tourist lodges and minibus tours for those for whom the safari experience is more important than hotel accommodation.
- The official language in Tanzania is Swahili but there are hundreds of other local dialects.
- English is the second official language and the country’s commercial language. It is also the main teaching language used for all higher education institutions.
- You will find that the majority of the people that you come in contact with are fluent in English and have a surprisingly good command of the language.
- The wildebeest migration calving season generally starts in February. During this time, the migratory herds will give birth to newborn calves. Predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah will move into the southern Serengeti to take advantage of the vulnerable calves.
- The best place to go for wildlife viewing in Tanzania is Northern Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, has some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world as well as the Serengeti, but don’t forget about the southern circuit.
Important to Know
- This tour is not available to solo travelers.
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
- This tour accepts children who are 3 years and older.
What’s Included
- All airport transfers
- Transport in a Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 with pop up roof
- English speaking guide
- All park/entry fees, crater fees & government fees
- Meals and accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Amref Flying Doctors/emergency medical evacuation insurance.
What’s Excluded
- Domestic and international flights
- Visa fees and traveling insurance
- Tips
- All optional activities (balloon safari, Masai/Hadzabe tribe, Olduvai Gorge)
- Items of a personal nature – spa treatments, laundry, mini-bars, internet, etc
