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7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari

A 7 Day journey combining the Ndutu calving season and Central Serengeti with Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Hadzabe & Datoga cultural immersion at Lake Eyasi — USD 3,480 per person.

Experience the best of Tanzania’s Ndutu calving season, Serengeti wildlife and authentic cultural encounters on this carefully designed 7 day private safari with Golden Memories Safaris. Travel from Arusha through Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro highlands before entering the spectacular Ndutu plains, where the Great Wildebeest Migration gathers during the calving season. Enjoy multiple game drives through Ndutu and the Central Serengeti, with opportunities to see wildebeest, zebra, lions, cheetahs, leopards and other iconic African wildlife. The journey continues to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife destinations, before finishing at Lake Eyasi with an authentic cultural experience among the Hadzabe and Datoga communities.

At a glance

Highlights

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & Arusha City Tour

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by the Golden Memories Safaris team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. After check in and some time to relax, enjoy a short guided city sightseeing experience before returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Your safari briefing will be provided by your professional guide, giving you an opportunity to discuss the upcoming journey and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Stay: Kibo Palace Hotel, Arusha. Meals: Bed & Breakfast / Dinner.

Day 2: Arusha To Tarangire National Park & Karatu

After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s best destinations for elephant and wildlife viewing. Enter the park for a full day of game viewing among ancient baobab trees and the wildlife rich Tarangire River. Keep your eyes open for large elephant herds, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and an impressive variety of birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, leave Tarangire and drive to the green highlands of Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Stay: Farm of Dreams Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 3: Karatu To Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)

After breakfast, drive towards Ndutu, the spectacular calving grounds of the Great Wildebeest Migration. From December to March, the short grass plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti become a major gathering area for wildebeest and zebra. The abundance of young animals also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards. Enjoy a transfer game drive as you enter the migration area, followed by afternoon wildlife viewing across the Ndutu plains. Your guide will follow current wildlife activity and look for opportunities to observe the migration and predator action.

Stay: Ang’ata Migration Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 4: Ndutu to Central Serengeti

Rise early and begin your journey towards the Central Serengeti and Seronera Valley, one of the most famous wildlife viewing areas in Tanzania. Enjoy a full day game drive through the Serengeti ecosystem, searching for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos and large herds of plains game. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive. Your experienced Golden Memories Safaris guide will select routes according to wildlife movements and current sightings. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation beneath the Serengeti sky.

Stay: Moyo Tented Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ndutu

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic transfer game drive back towards Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti. Return to the short grass plains where the migration herds gather during the calving season. The area offers excellent opportunities to observe wildebeest, zebra and their young, together with the predators that follow the herds. Spend the afternoon exploring Ndutu on a guided game drive before arriving at your intimate mobile camp.

Stay: Ang’ata Migration Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 6: Ndutu to Ngorongoro Crater & Karatu

Enjoy an early breakfast before beginning your transfer game drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for an extended game drive on the crater floor. The crater supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas and large herds of plains game. With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhinoceros. After your crater experience, ascend the crater walls and continue to Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Stay: Farm of Dreams lodge. Meals: Full Board.

Day 7: Lake Eyasi Cultural Experience & Return to Arusha

After an early breakfast, depart for Lake Eyasi, where you will experience a fascinating side of Tanzania beyond the traditional safari parks. Meet members of the Hadzabe community, one of Tanzania’s indigenous hunter gatherer societies. With the assistance of a local interpreter, learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting techniques, gathering practices, bush knowledge and unique click based language. Continue to a Datoga community, known for pastoralism and traditional metalworking. Meet local artisans and learn about their blacksmithing traditions, beadwork and daily life. After the cultural experience, begin the drive back to Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time in Arusha before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward journey.

Stay: Departure transfer. Meals: Breakfast.

What is included

What is not included

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari cost?

The 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari starts from USD 3,480 per person. The final price depends on your group size, travel dates and accommodation level, so send an inquiry with your dates for an exact quote.

How long is the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari and where does it go?

It lasts 7 days and 6 nights and covers Arusha, Tarangire, Ndutu, Southern Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Eyasi. The day-by-day itinerary on this page lists each stop.

What is included in the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari?

The price includes all national park and conservation fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro), ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee, lake Eyasi cultural and community fees, private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and guide, lodge and tented camp accommodation as specified and meals as indicated in the itinerary. The "What is included" list on this page has everything.

What is not included in the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari?

Not included: international flights and entry visas, travel and medical insurance, tips and gratuities for safari guides and camp staff, alcoholic beverages and personal expenses, optional activities not listed in the itinerary and optional activities (hot air balloon safari in Ndutu). The "What is not included" list on this page has everything.

When is the best time to book the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari?

Tanzania can be visited all year. The dry months from June to October give the easiest wildlife viewing, the calving season in the southern Serengeti runs from about January to March, and the green season is quieter with good birdlife. Tell us your dates and we will confirm what to expect.

How do I book the 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari?

Press "Book this safari" on this page or send an inquiry with your dates and number of travellers. We confirm availability and the details by email.

Do I need travel insurance for Tanzania?

Yes. Travel insurance is required for travel to Tanzania, and it should cover medical care and evacuation. See our travel insurance guide before you buy a policy.

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