6 Day Serengeti Calving Season Fly-in Safari

5/5
Based on 2 Reviews

About this tour

This 6-day flying safari offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s most dramatic events: the Great Wildebeest Calving Season in the Ndutu Plains. Designed for optimal time in the wilderness, the journey begins with a direct flight from Arusha into the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem, maximizing your time for wildlife viewing. The itinerary is expertly crafted to position you in the prime location of Ndutu within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where from January to March, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth, attracting a high concentration of predators and creating unparalleled wildlife drama.

Your adventure is dedicated to tracking these vast herds and the cycle of life on the plains, offering intimate and thrilling game viewing. The experience culminates with a full-day exploration of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with a stunning array of animals. This tour is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers seeking an immersive, seasonal spectacle in the African bush, combining the efficiency of air travel with the intensity of a focused safari.

At Glance

Customization

This tour can be customized

Duration

6 Days

Minimum Age

3 years

Countries

Tanzania

Comfort Level

Mid-Range

Maximum Group Size

Any group size

Physical Level

Moderate

What to expect

  • Witness the spectacular Great Wildebeest Calving Season in the Ndutu Plains (seasonal highlight).
  • Fly directly from Arusha to the Serengeti to maximize your time on safari.
  • Experience incredible predator action with high chances of witnessing live kills.
  • Spend multiple days tracking vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle.
  • Explore the wildlife-rich shores of the alkaline Lake Ndutu.
  • Descend into the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five.

Best time

  • All year round

Best for

  • Adventure Travellers
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Group Travellers

Getting There

  • This Tour starts in Arusha, Ends in Arusha
  • Your flight should arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Transportation

  • Game drive transport is by 4×4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle
  • Transfer between destinations is by 4×4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle
  • Airport transfer is by 4×4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Trip Itinerary

Day 1:

Arusha

Your Tanzanian adventure begins upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where your Safari Under the Sky driver-guide will provide a warm welcome. You will then embark on the approximately one-hour transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to receive a brief tour overview either today or tomorrow morning. The remainder of the day is entirely at your leisure to relax, recover from your journey, and soak in the first impressions of Tanzania. You can enjoy the hotel’s amenities and rest, preparing for your early flight into the heart of the wilderness the following day.

Main Activities

  • Rest & relaxation

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Dinner

Drinks

  • Mineral Water

Accommodation

Day 2: Serengeti

After breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to the Serengeti region. This scenic journey offers a unique aerial perspective of the landscape. Upon landing, you will be met by your safari guide and begin a game drive en route to your specialized camp in the Ndutu area, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After checking in and enjoying lunch, you will head out for an afternoon game drive, getting your first introduction to the vast plains and the early signs of the migratory herds, returning to camp as the sun sets.

Main Activities

  • Game Drive

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Full Board

Accommodation

Day 3: Ndutu

Today is dedicated to exploring the Ndutu region, the stage for the calving season. After breakfast, you will set out on a full-day game drive across the short-grass plains. Your guide will track the massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, where you may witness the breathtaking sight of newborn calves. This abundance of vulnerable prey attracts lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, creating exceptional opportunities to observe predator-prey dynamics. You will enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, immersed in this remarkable natural phenomenon, and continue your exploration throughout the afternoon.

Main Activities

  • Bird Watching, Game Drive, Photographing

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Full Board

Accommodation

Day 4: Ndutu

Your second full day in Ndutu allows for deeper exploration of this dynamic ecosystem. You may focus on the shores of Lake Ndutu, an alkaline lake that attracts a wide variety of wildlife, especially from December to April, for drinking and cooling off. Your guide will navigate the plains, following the movements of the herds and searching for hunting predators. The flexibility of a full day with a packed lunch means you can remain in prime viewing locations, patiently waiting for wildlife action and capturing the essence of the calving season on the expansive grasslands.

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Full Board

Drinks

Accommodation

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you bid farewell to Ndutu and travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. This natural amphitheater is renowned for its astonishing concentration of wildlife, including the rare black rhino, and boasts Africa’s highest density of predators. You will enjoy a full morning of game driving on the crater floor, followed by a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you ascend the crater rim and drive to your comfortable lodge in the Karatu highlands.

Main Activities

  • Game Drive

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Full Board

Accommodation

Day 6: Arusha

After a leisurely final breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Arusha. This scenic drive through the Tanzanian highlands is your last opportunity to reflect on the incredible wildlife spectacles you have witnessed. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant and have some time to relax. Afterwards, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward departure flight, marking the end of your immersive 6-day calving season safari.

Main Activities

  • Game Drive

Transport

  • 4x4 Closed pop-up roof vehicle

Meals

  • Full Board

Pricing

2026 Rates & Prices

Valid from January to December

PAX

Price per person sharing

2 People

US $2,812

3 People

US $2,488

4 People

US $2,286

Please note:

  • Prices are per person sharing (Ask a tour organizer for more price information)
  • Accommodations listed on this tours are subjected to availability, it may change depending on the time of booking
  • The price for this tour may also depends on government imposed charges. Please be in touch with the organizer of this tour at the moment of enquiring this tour.

Inclusions

Price Includes

  • A professional guide
  • All Accommodations
  • All meals
  • All transport
  • Park Fees

Price Excludes

  • Additional Accommodation after Safari
  • Additional excursions
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • International Flight
  • Medical & Travel Insurance
  • Personal Item expense
  • Tips
  • Visa Fees

Payment Terms

Payments

  • Deposit: Typically 30% at time of booking (unless otherwise specified).
  • Balance: Due 60 days before departure.
  • If booking is made within 60 days of departure, full payment is due immediately.
  • Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit card (fees apply), or other agreed methods.
  • Reservations are not secured until the deposit is received.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by Client

Fees apply from the day written notice is received:

Days Before Departure Cancellation Fee
60+ days Loss of deposit
59-45 days 50% of total cost
44-30 days 75% of total cost
Less than 30 days 100% of total cost

Special notes:

  • No refunds for unused services (including no-shows or early departures).
  • Cancellation must be emailed.

Cancellation by Company

  1. We may cancel for safety, weather, operational issues, or force majeure.
  2. Client will be offered:
    • Alternative tour of similar value; or
    • Full refund of sums paid.
  3. We are not liable for additional costs clients incur (flights, visas, hotels) due to cancellation.

Other travel advice

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering:

  • Medical expenses;
  • Emergency evacuation;
  • Trip cancellation/interruption;
  • Personal effects.

Insurance is mandatory for certain activities (e.g., hot-air ballooning, mountain climbing).

Additional Information

  • Infants must sit in laps: Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during the tour/activity.

Customer Reviews

5/5
  • Excellent
2 Reviews

Value for money5.0 / 5

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5/5 Based on 2 Reviews

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