Tanzania · Safari

4-Day Tanzania Calving Season Safari with Ndutu and Ngorongoro

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Witness the calving season in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti
02 Explore the market town of Mto Wa Mbu
03 Pay a visit to one of the famous Maasai bomas
04 Experience the wildlife at the shores of Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek

Revel in the first steps of nature's most gruelling and captivating journeys as you witness the calving season in Tanzania. This 4-day safari takes you from Lake Manyara National Park to the Ndutu calving area in the southern Serengeti, where vast herds gather on the open plains. Along the way, explore the market town of Mto Wa Mbu and enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing around Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek. The journey concludes with a visit to the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Revel in the first steps of nature's most gruelling and captivating journeys as you witness the calving season in Tanzania.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Cities Arusha, 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 fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise. After a brief stop at the countryside market, you will enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is genuinely 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 find that Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a wide variety of birds on display in the park. Even novices can expect to be amazed by 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 the Southern Serengeti

After an early breakfast, you will set out for a big day of exploration and adventure. The journey begins with a scenic drive toward the Ndutu area of 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, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth. It is almost a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Ndutu, but you may choose to break up the journey with one or both of the optional activities below.
Oldupai Gorge Museum, sometimes known as the Cradle of Mankind, 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 gorge.
You may also pay a visit to one of the famous Maasai bomas, where you can witness and participate in traditional Maasai dance, tour a real Maasai village, and do a little souvenir shopping at the nearby market. Both of the above 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 enjoy watching the giant herds of wildebeest moving across the area.
Dinner and overnight stay will be in the heart of the area, according to the standard and type of accommodation requested from our options.

Day 03

Full-Day Game Drive in the Ndutu Area

You will be up before dawn so you can enjoy an early morning game drive throughout the area. Watch the sunrise over the savannah as carnivores such as cheetahs and lions move into action while it is still cool enough for them to hunt. After your sunrise game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast before setting out again with a picnic lunch 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 and the surrounding land, where tens of thousands of young wildebeest take their first steps. After your day-long exploration of Ndutu, you will stay overnight at a camp or lodge.

Day 04

Ndutu to Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha

After breakfast, you will leave for Ngorongoro Crater. When you catch your first glimpse of this substantial, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you will quickly understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Home to over 120 species of mammal, including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the world's most sought-after safari destinations. It is an especially good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros grazing alone on the grass plains, as well as large numbers of hippopotami enjoying the cool water.
From the comfort of your open-roof 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 vast 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 Ngoitokitok's famous hippo pool before returning to Arusha.