Wildebeest Migration - Ndutu
6 days—Experience Nature’s Greatest Migration on the Southern Serengeti Plains
$2116-3657 USD
pp
Safari summary
Embark on an unforgettable 6-day safari that explores the rich diversity of Tanzania’s northern circuit, combining breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife encounters, and the magical experience of the Great Migration. This journey takes you through the baobab-dotted wilderness of Tarangire, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the seasonal drama of the Ndutu plains, and the wildlife-rich heart of the Central Serengeti. Each destination offers a unique window into Africa’s natural beauty, creating a safari filled with discovery, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
Your adventure begins in Tarangire National Park, a strikingly beautiful reserve known for its immense baobab trees and the largest elephant herds in the region. As you travel across the park, you’ll notice how the Tarangire River cuts through the landscape, attracting an incredible variety of wildlife especially during the dry months. Family groups of elephants gather along the riverbanks, while zebras, buffalo, wildebeest, and giraffes move gracefully across the plains. Predators such as lions and leopards are often spotted resting in the shade or stalking silently through the tall grasses. Birdlife is equally impressive, with hundreds of species recorded, creating a vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Tarangire’s quiet, expansive terrain offers a wonderful introduction to the richness of Tanzania’s wildlife.
From Tarangire, your journey continues toward one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders the Ngorongoro Crater. Formed from a massive volcanic explosion millions of years ago, the crater now shelters one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in the world. Standing on the crater rim, you’ll take in breathtaking views of its expansive floor, an enclosed paradise of lakes, forests, savannas, and swamps. Descending into the crater is a truly magical moment as wildlife begins to reveal itself lions roaming across the grasslands, large tusked elephants foraging through the Lerai Forest, and herds of zebras and wildebeest grazing under the watchful eyes of hyenas. The crater is also one of the last refuges of the critically endangered black rhino, making sightings particularly special. With its stunning scenery and remarkable wildlife diversity, Ngorongoro offers one of the most rewarding safari days in East Africa.
Next, your adventure leads you to the Ndutu region, located in the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Ndutu is world-renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration’s calving season, which occurs from December to April. During these months, more than half a million newborn wildebeest calves take their first steps on the short-grass plains, surrounded by vast herds of zebras and gazelles. This explosion of new life draws numerous predators, creating some of the most dramatic interactions in the natural world. Lions wait patiently in the tall grass, cheetahs sprint across the open plains, and hyenas skillfully track the herds. Ndutu is one of the few areas in the Serengeti where off-road driving is permitted, allowing you to get close to the action and enjoy exceptional photography opportunities. Whether you witness a newborn calf learning to walk or predators tracking the herds, every moment in Ndutu feels raw, intense, and unforgettable.
Your journey then continues into the Central Serengeti, a region famed for its abundant wildlife and year-round predator activity. This part of the Serengeti is characterized by wide open plains, rocky outcrops known as kopjes, and seasonal rivers that support animals throughout the year. The Central Serengeti is home to some of the largest lion prides in Africa, as well as cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hyenas, and countless antelopes. Game drives here deliver incredible variety one moment you may find lions perched on a kopje surveying their territory, and the next you might spot a leopard lounging in a tree or a cheetah family resting beneath a shady acacia. The Central Serengeti is also known for its spectacular sunsets, where the sky glows with golden and crimson hues as wildlife silhouettes the horizon.
Throughout your 6-day safari, your accommodations provide comfort, warm hospitality, and beautiful natural surroundings. Whether staying in lodges or tented camps, you’ll enjoy delicious meals, cozy evenings under the stars, and the soothing sounds of the African night. Expert guides accompany you on each game drive, sharing their deep knowledge of wildlife behavior, ecology, and the history of the regions you explore. Their expertise ensures that every sighting is meaningful, every day is enriching, and every moment in the bush becomes a cherished memory.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Game drives | |
| Activity level | Easy activity | |
| Best months | January, February, March, April, December | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Park fees
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- International flights
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas
Itinerary
Arusha To Tarangire National Park
Tarangire
After early breakfast, depart your prebooked accommodation in Arusha we shall drive to Tarangire National Park. This park is particularly known for the abundance of ancient Baobab trees.The park has the largest concentration of elephants in the whole country. Packed lunch will be served in an area. After full day game viewing, you will exit the park and drive to Karatu Area for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House.
Ngorongoro Farm House
Karatu To Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater
We will depart the lodge and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We will descend over 600 metres into the crater and have a full day crater tour. Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park hosts a vast variety of animals e.g. herds of wildebeests, zebras, buffalos, eland, warthogs, hippos and giant African elephants. In the evening we shall ascend the crater and drive to Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu Mobile Camp for dinner and overnight.
Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu Mobile Camp
Ngorongoro - Ndutu
After breakfast, we will head to Ndutu area, situated in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, part of the Serengeti Ecosystem. Lake Ndutu is alkaline, like most of the Rift lakes. We arrive in time for lunch at Tanzania Bush Camp in Ndutu and after a sumptuous lunch, we will have a game drive in Ndutu area. The majority of the wildebeests can be found here around December and March. Dinner and overnight will be at Tanzania Bush Camp Ndutu.
Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu Mobile Camp
Ndutu Area
After breakfast, enjoy a full day game viewing in the Ndutu Area. Explore the range of different habitats that include swamps, woodlands, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. See the great herds of wildebeests and zebras. During a short time frame, around February normally lasting for about three weeks, the majority of the wildebeests calve. Crested with Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, these waterholes offer plenty of wildlife game during the dry season.
Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu Mobile Camp
Ndutu Area To Central Serengeti
Serengeti
After breakfast, we will depart the camp with packed lunch and drive towards Serengeti National Park with game en route. Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most famous park and it is also the largest at 14,763 square kilometer of protected area that borders Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Park. Its far-reaching plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of acacia trees, have made it quite essential image of a wild and untamed Africa.
Central Serengeti Luxury Camp
Central Serengeti To Arusha
Serengeti
After breakfast, we will depart the camp with packed lunch. Enjoy game en route as you head back to Arusha via Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving in the evening for drop off either to to your prebooked Hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight to next destination.
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