5-Day Great Migration and Calving Safari

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, the tourism hub of northern Tanzania. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the lodge, explore the town, or enjoy a short city tour. This day is meant for rest and preparation before your adventure begins.

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a small but beautiful park famous for its tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and flocks of pink flamingos along the lake shore. Enjoy a full-day game drive through the park’s lush forests, open plains, and lakeside habitats teeming with wildlife and birds. In the late afternoon, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to reach the Ndutu plains, located between Ngorongoro and the Southern Serengeti. In March, this region is the heart of the Great Migration’s calving season, where thousands of wildebeest give birth on the open grasslands. Enjoy a full-day game drive following herds of wildebeest and zebra, with high chances of witnessing predator action as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas roam nearby.

Spend the day exploring the vast Ndutu plains, following the migration and observing the abundance of wildlife. This is one of the most dramatic times of the year to visit—over half a million newborn calves attract predators, making for incredible wildlife interactions. The green landscape also attracts numerous bird species, perfect for photography. After a picnic lunch in the wild, continue with an afternoon game drive before returning to camp for a relaxing evening.

After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend 600 meters into this world-famous caldera. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the crater is home to over 25,000 animals, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, zebras, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a half-day game drive and a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending the crater rim and driving back to Arusha for your departure or overnight stay (depending on your flight schedule).