Overview
The Great Wildebeest Calving Migration safari has been designed specifically to focus on following the Great Serengeti Wildebeest migration during calving from December to April. The areas to be covered are Lake Ndutu area, as well as the Southern and Central areas of Serengeti National Park where the majority of the wildebeest are usually found. A visit to the world famous Ngorongoro crater is part of this safari as well.
The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas in Tanzania are the best locations for the months of January, February and March to witness thousands of wildebeest spread across the plains grazing on the rich short grass plains. Predator action is at its peak with great sightings of cheetah, lion, hyena and leopard and a very good chance to see adrenalin-packed kills.
Arrive in Kilimanjaro Airport
Arrive in Kilimanjaro, meet Habari adventure representatives then transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha - the city of northern Tanzania. The rest of the day is yours to rest, relax and get ready for the extraordinary adventure that lies ahead
Day 1 - Tarangire National Park
Main Destination:Tarangire National Park
Driving hour to the park: 4 hours
Time in the park: 8 hours
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
Leave at hotel at 06:00 am and transfer to the Tarangire National Park via Arusha city, the drive cover approximately covers around 4 hours to the park gate. You'll spend a 7 hours drive within the park that is famous in having a big number of elephants and huge scattered baobab trees. Other mammals like giraffes, antelopes, lions and cheetahs can be seen. At 05:00 pm you'll leave the park and drive to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
Day 2 - Ndutu Area
Main Destination:Ndutu Area
Driving hour to the park: 4 hours.
Time in the park: 8 hours.
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
Stunned by the previous days spotting of the migration, today you get another chance to view the beautiful wildlife spectacle. The Ndutu region is a part of the glorious Serengeti National Park as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Heading out for a full day game drive after breakfast, today you will be following the calving / migration depending on its location in either Ngorongoro or Serengeti. During game drives at the right season between January to March, you will be able to see the fertile plains turn into calving grounds and nursery for the great migration.
Day 4 - Ndutu Area - Hot Air balloon (if needed)
Main Destination:Ndutu Area
Time in the park: Full day.
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
Today you will have full day in Ndutu area looking for calving and visiting Lake Ndutu. This Lake like most other rift lakes is alkaline, however, the water is still drinkable and consumed by a wide array of local wildlife the majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains tram December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephant, birds and resident game.
Day 4 - Ndutu Area - Serengeti.
Main Destination:Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Time in the park: Full day.
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
Today you will continue to enjoy a game drive after breakfast in the Ndutu area exploring a great range of various habitats such as swamps, woodland, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains. You will witness herds of wildebeest and zebras especially during a short time-frame from around February and lasting for about 3 weeks where majority of the wildebeest calves. Later continue with game viewing while heading to Serengeti Central / eastern for dinner and overnight.
The sea of grass provides little cover and the young make an easy prey for a variety of predators. Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they were born and within 3 days, they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Day 5 - Eastern Serengeti National Park
Main Destination:Serengeti National Park
Time in the park: Full day.
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
Today you will spend full day in Serengeti. We may have morning game drive followed by relaxation in the afternoon and then evening game drive.
Day 6 - Serengeti Central (Central Seronera)
Main Destination:Serengeti National Park
Time the park: 6-8 hours
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Full board accomodation.
This is another half day game drive at Serengeti National Park, known for its healthy population of resident wildlife, particularly the "big five", named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters: Lion: the Serengeti is believed to hold the largest population of lions in Africa due in part to the abundance of prey species. More than 3,000 lions live in this ecosystem.
African Leopard: these reclusive predators are commonly seen in the Seronera region but are present throughout the national park with the population of around 1,000.
African Elephant: the herds are recovering from population lows in the 1980s caused by poaching and are largely located in the northern regions of the park.
African Buffalo: considered by many to be the most dangerous of the big five, reportedly causing the most hunter deaths, with wounded animals reported to ambush and attack pursuers.
Rhinoceros: this may refer to either black or white rhinoceros. Among big five game hunters, the black rhinoceros is preferred, although it is now critically endangered. After 6 hours in the park we will start to make our way to Ngorongoro conservation area.
Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Main Destination:Ngorongoro Crater
Driving hour to the park: 45 minutes.
Time in the park: 6-8 hours.
Accomodation: Camping/Mid-range/Luxury lodge
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch.
Today you will be picked up at Lodge after an early breakfast; we plan to start very early in order to experience a beautiful sunrise. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few areas in Tanzania where you can find such a breathtaking blend of scenery and wildlife coupled with a fascinating historical and cultural element. Today we expect to see rhino, elephants, lions, giraffes, pink flamingos, hyenas, etc. Later on will start to drive back to Hotel/Airport
