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Wildebeest & Zebra Calving Season

Overview

Witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles, with around 8,000 Wildebeest born every day during the peak of Tanzania’s calving season. Watch as newly-born calves set off running, just moments after being born, as large numbers of predators such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs wait patiently for the perfect time to pounce.

Tour Information

Duration

1 Night Arusha | 1 Night Lake Manyara | 2 Nights Ndutu | 1 Night Serengeti | 1 Night Ngorongoro Crater

Availability

January - March

Tour Highlights

Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Ndutu, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater

Price

Starting from USD 6,812 per person sharing

Duration

7 Days

Day 1

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Our guide meets you on your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha
Located beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha City is the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit of national parks and marks the starting point of your safari into the African Bush
Set out to explore the vibrant sights and sounds of local life in Arusha
Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy popular coffee tours – weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, while learning about how beans are nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce myriad different blends which are exported and enjoyed all over the world

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 2

Arusha – Lake Manyara

After a hearty breakfast, your guide collects you and drives you to Lake Manyara
While Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, its diverse vegetation ranging from savannah to marsh and evergreen forest, supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. Expect to see large families of elephants, millions of flamingos, and even tree-climbing lions
Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the baboons in this park which live in troops of up to 200 members
Enjoy a trip to the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu Village and learn about the melting pot of cultures found here. Home to over 120 different tribes from across Tanzania, you will gain insight into daily life, visiting local farms, schools, churches, a milling machine and much more*
After an action-packed day, your guide takes you to your accommodation for the night
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 3

Lake Manyara – Ndutu

Rise and shine as we depart Manyara and head to Ndutu to begin tracking the migrating herds
Nestled between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, calving season in Ndutu is simply spectacular. The reason this area is the traditional birthing ground for wildebeest is down to the high concentrations of phosphorus in the soil, which is an essential mineral for lactating mothers
Head back to your accommodation for dinner and enjoy an early night – listening to the soothing sounds of nature and revelling in the feeling of seeing one of nature’s greatest spectacles
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4

Ndutu

Get set for an action pack day, as we set out straight after breakfast in search of the herds
Spend a full day witnessing the birth of over half a million zebras, gazelles and wildebeest – with up to 8,000 born in one day during the peak of the season
It should come as no surprise that with all these new-borns stumbling around on their wobbly legs, the number of predators in the area reaches an all-time. However, an easy meal is no guarantee, so keep a close eye out for predators such as lions, hyenas and cheetahs lurking nearby
Calving season usually takes place between January and March of each year, as herds slowly begin to make their way south of the Serengeti after the rains start falling. While our expert guides will do their best to track the migrating herds, sightings are not guaranteed
You are driven back to your accommodation to enjoy a relaxing evening under the starry night sky
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Ndutu – Serengeti

Our safari adventure continues as we head for a morning game drive around Ndutu and then proceed to the Serengeti National Park
Upon arrival in the Serengeti, the landscape is be lush and wildlife is in its prime – with predators up and about, scouring for their next meal
After and action-packed day, your guide transfers you to your accommodation inside the Serengeti National Park, in time for a gourmet dinner
Cosy around the campfire and enjoy sharing stories of the day’s wildlife sightings
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6

Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you leave for a final game drive in the Serengeti
Few predators hunt during the heat of the day and so early morning is often the best time to observe the thrill of the chase
Enjoy your last few moments in the Serengeti National Park and get ready for our journey to the Ngorongoro Crater
Check in to your accommodation at Ngorongoro Crater and settle into your new surroundings
Enjoy a guided walk around the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. In addition to seeing breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and the diverse wildlife, our expert guides will also teach you about its incredible indigenous flora and fauna *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater – Kilimanjaro International Airport

Wake up early to panoramic views of the Crater, and after breakfast, head off for a day trip to explore the many fascinating species that are protected within its rim
Here, we can see the Big Five in high concentration against the stunning backdrop of the crater walls
After a morning of exploring, you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport – where we wave you a fond farewell
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 1

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Our guide meets you on your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha
Located beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha City is the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit of national parks and marks the starting point of your safari into the African Bush
Set out to explore the vibrant sights and sounds of local life in Arusha
Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy popular coffee tours – weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, while learning about how beans are nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce myriad different blends which are exported and enjoyed all over the world

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 2

Arusha – Lake Manyara

After a hearty breakfast, your guide collects you and drives you to Lake Manyara
While Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, its diverse vegetation ranging from savannah to marsh and evergreen forest, supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. Expect to see large families of elephants, millions of flamingos, and even tree-climbing lions
Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the baboons in this park which live in troops of up to 200 members
Enjoy a trip to the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu Village and learn about the melting pot of cultures found here. Home to over 120 different tribes from across Tanzania, you will gain insight into daily life, visiting local farms, schools, churches, a milling machine and much more*
After an action-packed day, your guide takes you to your accommodation for the night
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 3

Lake Manyara – Ndutu

Rise and shine as we depart Manyara and head to Ndutu to begin tracking the migrating herds
Nestled between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, calving season in Ndutu is simply spectacular. The reason this area is the traditional birthing ground for wildebeest is down to the high concentrations of phosphorus in the soil, which is an essential mineral for lactating mothers
Head back to your accommodation for dinner and enjoy an early night – listening to the soothing sounds of nature and revelling in the feeling of seeing one of nature’s greatest spectacles
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4

Ndutu

Get set for an action pack day, as we set out straight after breakfast in search of the herds
Spend a full day witnessing the birth of over half a million zebras, gazelles and wildebeest – with up to 8,000 born in one day during the peak of the season
It should come as no surprise that with all these new-borns stumbling around on their wobbly legs, the number of predators in the area reaches an all-time. However, an easy meal is no guarantee, so keep a close eye out for predators such as lions, hyenas and cheetahs lurking nearby
Calving season usually takes place between January and March of each year, as herds slowly begin to make their way south of the Serengeti after the rains start falling. While our expert guides will do their best to track the migrating herds, sightings are not guaranteed
You are driven back to your accommodation to enjoy a relaxing evening under the starry night sky
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Ndutu – Serengeti

Our safari adventure continues as we head for a morning game drive around Ndutu and then proceed to the Serengeti National Park
Upon arrival in the Serengeti, the landscape is be lush and wildlife is in its prime – with predators up and about, scouring for their next meal
After and action-packed day, your guide transfers you to your accommodation inside the Serengeti National Park, in time for a gourmet dinner
Cosy around the campfire and enjoy sharing stories of the day’s wildlife sightings
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6

Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you leave for a final game drive in the Serengeti
Few predators hunt during the heat of the day and so early morning is often the best time to observe the thrill of the chase
Enjoy your last few moments in the Serengeti National Park and get ready for our journey to the Ngorongoro Crater
Check in to your accommodation at Ngorongoro Crater and settle into your new surroundings
Enjoy a guided walk around the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. In addition to seeing breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and the diverse wildlife, our expert guides will also teach you about its incredible indigenous flora and fauna *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater – Kilimanjaro International Airport

Wake up early to panoramic views of the Crater, and after breakfast, head off for a day trip to explore the many fascinating species that are protected within its rim
Here, we can see the Big Five in high concentration against the stunning backdrop of the crater walls
After a morning of exploring, you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport – where we wave you a fond farewell
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Whats included

Return airport transfers to Kilimanjaro international Airport
6 x Nights of accommodation and meals as outlined above
Your own professional English-speaking driver/guide
Activities and game viewing as specified in the itinerary
Evening sundowners (where applicable)
Packed lunches on excursions with unlimited soft drinks and snacks
Unlimited mileage in one of our custom 4 x 4 Toyota Land cruisers during safari game drives
Government taxes and national park fees
Flying Doctor Service

Whats excluded

International and domestic flights
Any items of a personal nature such as: telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips for drivers and guides etc
Insurance
Visas

Accommodation

From traditional tented safari camps to luxurious lodges, we work with a number of trusted and vetted accommodation providers to ensure your stay is truly unforgettable. Below are some of the camps that we have tried and tested and highly recommend for this itinerary: