Overview
The Great Wildebeest Calving Migration Safari has been designed specifically to focus on following the Great Serengeti Wildebeest migration during calving from December to April. The areas to be covered are Lake Ndutu area, as well as the Southern and Central areas of Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest are usually found. A visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater is part of this safari as well.
The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas in Tanzania are the best locations for the months of January, February, and March to witness thousands of wildebeest spread across the plains grazing on the rich short grass plains. Predator action is at its peak with great sightings of cheetah, lion, hyena and leopard and a very good chance to see adrenaline-packed kills.
HIGHLIGHTS:
TARANGIRE, NDUTU AREA, NGORONGORO, SERENGETI CENTRAL, LAKE MANYARA
ACCOMMODATIONS: MIDRANGE ACCOMMODATION
Best time to visit: Mid-January-March
Duration
6 days
Day 1 – Arusha – Tarangire National Park
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 a small town of Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Tarangire is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi, and Mkomazi. Activities will include a wildlife game drive, where you can see pythons climb trees, as well as lions and leopards among others. For the bird lovers, keep an eye 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.
Day 2 – Karatu – Ndutu Area
After breakfast, we will set off for Ndutu area situated 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 The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game.
Day 3 – Ndutu – Central Serengeti
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 majority of the wildebeest calves. Later continue with game viewing while heading to Central Serengeti for dinner and overnight.
The sea of grass provides little cover and the young make an easy prey for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days, they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Day 4 – Serengeti National Park (Central)
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 more than 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 of the animals you’ve only seen in National Geographic: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.
Day 5 – Serengeti – Ngorongoro
We’ll depart after breakfast for Ngorongoro Crater. 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.
Day 6 – Karatu – Manyara – Arusha
We’ll leave after breakfast and go straight to Lake Manyara National Park. Later in the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Arusha.
The park offers a compact game-viewing circuit and is one of the most diverse reserves in the country. The lake itself covers two-thirds of the park and the Great Rift Valley provides a stunning backdrop. Over 400 species of birds can be found in the Manyara, including thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants, and storks.
INCLUSIONS
– airport transfers
– round trip transportation in 4×4 safari Jeep
– entry fees
– crater service fee
– Ngorongoro Transit fees
– meals
– service of driver Guide
– accommodation
– mineral drinking water
– concession fee
– Water bottles, tea, coffee along with meals
EXCLUSIONS
– Flights
– Balloon Safari
– plane tickets
– Travel insurance
– Visa and passport fees
– Tips
– Activities not mentioned above
– Laundry Services
-Alcoholic beverages and things of personal nature.
