Tanzania · Safari

4-Day Serengeti Calving Season Safari with Ndutu and Ngorongoro

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spot a wide variety of bird species in Lake Manyara National Park
02 See Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions and other iconic African wildlife
03 Explore the Ndutu calving area in the southern Serengeti during calving season
04 Visit Oldupai Gorge Museum to learn about early human habitation
05 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater to look for the Big Five and black rhinoceros

Experience the calving season in Tanzania as you explore Lake Manyara National Park, the southern Serengeti, and the Ndutu calving area before visiting the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This 4-day safari offers excellent wildlife viewing, from Lake Manyara's rich birdlife and tree-climbing lions to the vast savannahs of Ndutu, where great herds of wildebeest gather. Along the way, enjoy remarkable landscapes, iconic African wildlife, and one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world.

Watch the sunrise over the savannah as carnivores, including cheetahs and lions, spring into action while the air is still cool enough for them to hunt.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

You will leave Arusha after breakfast for Lake Manyara National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, passing through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural town and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a paradise for souvenir hunters.
After a brief stop at the countryside market, you will enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions being a particular highlight. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees, practically pleading to be photographed. Bird-watchers will also find Lake Manyara an absolute delight, with a wide variety of birds on display throughout the park.
Even a novice will be amazed by the large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller. You will then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night's rest.

Day 02

Mto Wa Mbu to Ndutu in Southern Serengeti

After an early breakfast, you will set out for a big day of exploration and adventure ahead. The day begins with a scenic drive toward the Ndutu area in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you will pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you may be lucky enough to glimpse Cape buffalo, baboons, elephants, or even leopards in the dense undergrowth. It is an almost one-and-a-half-hour drive to Ndutu, but you may choose to break up the journey with one or both optional activities.
Oldupai Gorge Museum: Sometimes known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Oldupai Gorge Museum commemorates some of the oldest evidence of human habitation ever discovered. Here, you may see some of the earliest fossil evidence of human habitation in the world, learn more about the human journey, and take in the beautiful views of this stark and gorgeous landscape.
Maasai boma: Pay a visit to one of the famous Maasai bomas, where you will have the opportunity to witness and participate in traditional Maasai dance, tour a real Maasai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the nearby market. Both of these activities attract an additional fee. Speak with your safari expert about adding them to your itinerary.
After a delicious lunch at the picnic area, it is time to explore the Ndutu area. Witness Africa's iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains. You may observe the giant herds of wildebeest moving across the area.
Dinner and an overnight stay will be in the heart of the area, according to the standard and type of accommodation selected from our options.

Day 03

Full-Day Game Drive in the Ndutu Area

You will be up before dawn so that you can enjoy an early morning game drive through the area. Watch the sunrise over the savannah as carnivores, including cheetahs and lions, spring into action while the air is still cool enough for them to hunt. After your sunrise game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast before taking a picnic lunch and heading out to explore more of Ndutu.
You will enjoy a full-day game drive through the area, taking in the shores of both Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, as well as the surrounding land where tens of thousands of young wildebeest take their first steps. After your day-long exploration of Ndutu, you will overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 04

Ndutu to Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha

After breakfast, you will leave for Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you catch your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you will understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Home to over 120 species of mammals, including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world. It is also an especially good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros grazing on the grass plains, as well as large numbers of hippopotami enjoying the cool water.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you will be able to observe and photograph several of Africa's most recognizable animals. The crater is home to a large number of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a huge population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, Cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations. After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch at Ngoitoktok's famous hippo pool before returning to Arusha for the night.