Per person sharing
Witness one of nature’s most intense and dramatic events on this six-day safari meticulously timed for the Great Wildebeest Calving season. Operated by Meru Slopes Tours & Safaris, this private, mid-range tour offers a front-row seat to the raw circle of life in the Ndutu area of the Southern Serengeti. Between December and March, the plains come alive as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather to give birth, with over 4,000 calves born daily. This abundance of vulnerable newborns creates unparalleled predator activity, offering thrilling opportunities to witness lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas in action. The journey balances this wilderness drama with cultural exploration in Arusha and culminates with the timeless wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater, creating a deeply immersive and unforgettable seasonal safari experience.
6 Days
1 year
Tanzania
Any group size
Moderate
Your seasonal safari adventure begins as you land at the airport, where a company representative will be waiting to greet you with a personalized sign. You’ll be transferred directly to your comfortable lodging in Arusha, a vibrant city that serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s northern parks. Once settled, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace, with the opportunity to visit the Maasai market, other local marketplaces, cultural heritage sites, and the Arusha City Museum, offering a perfect introduction to the region.
Your accommodation is the Arusha Planet Lodge, a well-appointed mid-range lodge where you can relax after your travels. This evening is for acclimating and preparing for the wilderness days ahead. Your meal plan includes lunch and dinner, with non-alcoholic drinks provided, allowing you to dine and unwind in comfort.
After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll embark on a scenic 260 km journey (approximately 5.5 hours) towards the legendary Serengeti ecosystem. The drive itself is spectacular, taking you through the breathtaking highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before opening onto the vast, golden plains of the Serengeti. Your destination is the Ndutu area in the Southern Serengeti, the critical stage for the Great Migration’s calving season, where you’ll immediately sense the energy of this phenomenal natural event.
Upon arrival, you may have the option to visit a local Maasai Boma (village) to learn about their traditional way of life—a fascinating cultural counterpoint to the wild drama you are about to witness. You will spend the next two nights at Ndutu Kati Kati Tented Camp, a comfortable mid-range tented camp strategically located inside the Ndutu area, placing you at the heart of the action.
Awake early for a morning game drive in the Ndutu plains, timed to experience the stunning African sunrise and the peak activity of predators. This is the prime time to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs on the move. The day is dedicated to exploring this dynamic landscape, where you’ll witness immense herds of wildebeest grazing on the short grasses, essential for the nursing mothers and their newborns.
The abundance of vulnerable calves attracts a host of predators, making intense predator-prey interactions a distinct possibility. Your full-day game drive, with a break for lunch, offers incredible photographic opportunities and a chance to observe the harsh realities of survival on the plains. You return for a second night at Ndutu Kati Kati Tented Camp, with the sounds of the wilderness providing a powerful soundtrack to your experience.
Enjoy one last early morning game drive in the Ndutu area, a final opportunity to spend time with the great herds and perhaps witness more of the daily drama of life and death on the plains. After a delicious lunch back at camp, you’ll pack up and begin your journey eastward, leaving the Serengeti behind. The afternoon drive back through the magnificent Ngorongoro Highlands is a game drive in itself, with chances to see elephants, giraffes, various antelope, and predators.
As you climb into the cooler, misty highlands, you’ll notice a dramatic change in scenery and climate. Your destination for the night is the Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp, a luxury tented camp located less than an hour from the crater rim. This upgrade in comfort provides a serene setting to relax and anticipate your descent into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater the following morning.
Your final safari day begins with a very early start. After a quick breakfast, you’ll descend around 6:30 am into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called “Africa’s Garden of Eden,” is a self-contained ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Your 5-6 hour game drive on the crater floor is a quest to see the Big Five, with one of the best chances in Africa to spot the endangered black rhino.
You’ll explore diverse habitats, from grasslands and acacia woodlands to the flamingo-lined Lake Magadi. After a picnic lunch at the scenic Hippo Pool, you’ll ascend the steep crater walls in the early afternoon. From there, you’ll begin your journey back to Arusha, where you’ll spend a final night at the Arusha Planet Lodge, reflecting on the incredible wildlife spectacles you’ve witnessed.
After breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) based on your flight schedule. If your travel plans require a different drop-off point within a similar distance, arrangements can be made. This marks the end of your remarkable 6-day journey into the heart of the calving season, leaving you with lasting memories of nature’s most powerful beginnings.
PAX
Price per person sharing
2 People
3 People
US $2,655
4 People
5 People
6 People
THE BOOKING
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
Any trip cancellations must be sent in writing to the office that confirmed the reservation. Cancellations shall only be effective from the date of receipt of cancellation by the booking office. In case of a booking cancellation, the Company shall retain the full deposit.
If a booking is canceled, the penalties are as follows:
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