4-Day Ndutu Calving Safari by Road
A private 4-day safari by road from Arusha to Ndutu during the calving season, when the Great Migration's wildebeest give birth on the short-grass plains, with Tarangire on the way out and the Ngorongoro Crater on the way back.
New Life on the Short-Grass Plains
From about December to March the wildebeest and zebra herds of the Great Migration spread over the short-grass plains around Ndutu, on the border of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Most calves are born in a few weeks, usually around February, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow the herds.
This trip gets you there by road in four days: Tarangire on day one, two nights at a tented camp in the Ndutu area with full days among the herds, and a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor on the way home. The exact position of the herds changes with the rain; your guide follows the latest news.
More time? See the 5-Day Great Migration Calving Safari in Ndutu →
Why Travellers Choose It
- The wildebeest calving season at Ndutu, December to March
- Two nights at a tented camp close to the herds
- Tarangire on day one and the Ngorongoro Crater on the last day
- Private vehicle and driver-guide from Arusha
- No flights needed
Read our park guides: The Great Migration month by month, Ngorongoro Crater
A morning drive to Tarangire for game drives among elephants and baobabs, then on to your lodge in Karatu in the Ngorongoro highlands.
Overnight: Mid-range lodge in Karatu
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Over the Ngorongoro highlands and down to the short-grass plains of Ndutu, with game drives on the way. Your guide heads for the herds.
Overnight: Tented camp in the Ndutu area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day among the wildebeest and zebras, watching for newborn calves and the predators that follow them.
Overnight: Tented camp in the Ndutu area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start for a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, then the drive back to Arusha, arriving in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Price Per Person — Private Safari
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,855 |
| 2 People | $2,035 |
| 3 People | $1,760 |
| 4 People | $1,625 |
| 5 People | $1,540 |
| 6 People | $1,485 |
Price per person in US dollars, by the number of people travelling together, sharing rooms. Groups of more than 6: price on request.
Trip Notes
- Start & end: your hotel in Arusha
- Season: about December to March
- Private safari: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Camps named when we confirm availability
- Prices may change if park fees change
Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide
- Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
- Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- 1 night at a lodge in Karatu and 2 nights at a tented camp near Ndutu, full board
- Drinking water
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Arusha
Excludes
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Drinks not included in the meal plans
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
When is the calving season?
Usually from about late January to March, with most calves born around February. The herds are on the Ndutu plains from about December, depending on the rain.
Will we see a birth?
Possibly, but no sighting can be guaranteed. You will almost certainly see young calves and large herds when the migration is in the area.
4 or 5 days?
This 4-day trip goes and returns by road. Our 5-day Ndutu safari gives you more time with the herds and flies you back to Arusha.
Where is Ndutu?
On the southern edge of the Serengeti ecosystem, inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about five to six hours by road from Arusha.
