Luxury 7-Days Ndutu Calving Season Serengeti Migration Tanzania Safari
- Places to visit: Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP
On this 6-day safari, the great migrating herds of wildebeests and zebras are situated at Lake Ndutu, which is found in the Ngorongoro conservation area, and a part of Serengeti eco-system and our main target is from Dec to April. From January it is the best time to witness the calving as they spread out across the short-grass plains, and predators are just around waiting for their opportunities to make a hunt. You will experience both Tarangire, South Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, and Lake Manyara.
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) which caters for domestic flights, you will be met by a Williamson Adventures representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. Your overnight stay will be at Four Points by Sheraton Arusha where the rhythm of nature pounds to the beat of an African drum, and where life is all about a revival of the senses.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha
Established in 1894, the Four Points by Sheraton Arusha is one of the oldest hotels in East Africa. Saturated with the history of a bygone era, the traditional ambience is effortlessly combined with the style and service you wish for when travelling. The hotel features 114 stylish rooms, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour gym, Parachichi a full-service restaurant, and as well as the famous Hatari Bar
After breakfast, we'll drive to Tarangire National Park. We'll have some game viewing in the park to maximize your chances of more wildlife viewing. Before sunset, we’ll drive to the small town of Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Tarangire is Tanzania's sixth largest national park after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi, and Mkomazi. Activities will include a wildlife game drive where you can see pythons climb trees and lions and leopards, among others. For bird lovers, watch for the screeching flocks of colorful yellow-collared lovebirds and the somewhat drabber, rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling. These are all endemic to The dry savannah of north-central Tanzania.
Accommodation: Acacia Farm Lodge
ACACIA FARM LODGE is a romantic country lodge nestled in an active mixed farm located on the spectacular Great Rift’s escarpment area with a commanding panoramic views of the amazing Karatu farmlands and the nearby Ngorongoro forest area. ACACIA FARM LODGE is strategically located between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks on one side AND Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park on the other.
After breakfast, we will set off for the Ndutu area in the Ngorongoro conservation area, which is part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem.
Lake Ndutu, like most other rift lakes, is alkaline, however, the water is still drinkable and consumed by a wide array of local wildlife. Most wildebeest migration can usually be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephants, birds, and resident game.
Accommodation: Ndutu Under Canvas
Ndutu’s mobile infrastructure allows the camp to be packed up and moved without leaving anything behind – minimising its impact on the environment. Its solar panels and bucket showers provide further evidence of its commitment to this eco-conscious philosophy. Ndutu has also chosen to forego Wi-Fi and air conditioning to give guests a truly authentic safari experience that fully immerses them in nature.
You will enjoy a game drive after breakfast 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 the majority of the wildebeest calves. Later continue with game viewing while heading to Serengeti Central for dinner and overnight.
The sea of grass provides little cover, and the young make easy prey for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after birth, and within three days, they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Inspired by a traditional African village this extraordinary lodge presents a vibrant design concept rich in indigenous craft and cultural detail that is without compare. Set high on a hill with rolling visas over the teeming plains of a natural amphitheater it also enjoys a ringside seat for the greatest show on earth, the annual migration of the wildebeest.
Enjoy a full day of game drive in the park.
The Serengeti is Tanzania's oldest and most popular National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site and recently proclaimed 7th wonder of the world, Serengeti is famed for its annual migration where some six million hooves pound the open plains. Serengeti offers an exotic game-viewing experience in the whole of Africa, giving you an up-close look at the animals you've only seen in National Geographic: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands of elands, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant's gazelle.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Inspired by a traditional African village this extraordinary lodge presents a vibrant design concept rich in indigenous craft and cultural detail that is without compare. Set high on a hill with rolling visas over the teeming plains of a natural amphitheater it also enjoys a ringside seat for the greatest show on earth, the annual migration of the wildebeest.
We’ll depart after breakfast for the Ngorongoro Crater viewing. By sunset, we go straight to your accommodation.
Ngorongoro is an extensive highland area along the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley, with the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. It is not a national park in the strict sense of the word but was rather established to conserve wildlife and other natural resources. It exists to safeguard the interests of indigenous people as well as promote tourism.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, wreathed in the morning mist, camouflaged in river stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, this lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion.
Sensitively constructed so as to take nothing from its environment whilst affording endless vistas over the heat-shimmering reaches of the crater below.
After breakfast, we drive to our final destination on this epic safari – Lake Manyara National Park. This, a relatively small but diverse park, 120km west of Arusha, is so named for the shallow Salt Lake that covers some seventy percent of the surface area, flooding and drying with the seasons and home to thousands of flamingos and in the extraordinary region of 500 other bird species. On our exploration of the park, we will see monkeys, giraffes, zebra, wildebeests, buffalo, elephants, and, with some luck, lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, open grassy plains, primate-filled woodlands, and baobab dotted cliffs. After lunch, we head back to Arusha, where we will arrive in the late afternoon, our adventure at its inevitable end, with all the sights and sounds of wild East Africa tucked away in our minds for our adventure in life’s journey.
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
