2 Day Tanzania Calving Season Safari
Overview
Experience the Tanzania Calving Season Safari in 2 Days and witness one of the greatest wildlife events in Africa. This short safari is perfect for travellers with limited time, taking you straight to the legendary Ndutu area between the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the annual Great Wildebeest Calving Season takes place between late January and March. It is one of the greatest wildlife events on earth, with over 500,000 wildebeest calves born in this amazing time on the nutrient-rich short-grass plains.
Calving season is a time to celebrate new life, an incredible opportunity to witness nature at its most dramatic. Every day thousands of newborn wildebeest take their first steps minutes after they are born and within hours instinctively learn to run with their mothers. This amazing adaptation is vital for survival as predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas and jackals prowl the plains looking for easy prey. The result is an unforgettable safari, combining incredible wildlife encounters with a rare glimpse into the fragile balance of life in the African wilderness.
At Ndutu, the calving season brings massive concentrations of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle together, compared to other times of the year when the Great Migration is spread over wider areas of the Serengeti ecosystem. Game viewing is very rewarding with the high concentration of wildlife and excellent chances of spotting Africa’s iconic predators alongside elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, bat-eared foxes, serval cats, ostriches and hundreds of colourful bird species.
A special benefit of coming to Ndutu is that you can drive off-road in some areas, but it is carefully regulated. This allows experienced safari guides to position vehicles responsibly for excellent wildlife viewing and photography, while respecting conservation guidelines. Every moment spent here is a memory to last a lifetime, from the first steps of a newborn calf to a pride of lions relaxing after a hunt to photographing cheetahs scanning the plains.
Travel in private 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle with experienced professional guide for a comfortable and personalised safari experience. Large windows, pop-up roof, charging ports, bottled drinking water and expert guiding all allow you to make the most of every wildlife encounter. The fly-in option also offers spectacular aerial views of the Serengeti ecosystem and reduces travel time, leaving you with more hours on safari.
The 2 Day Tanzania Calving Season Safari is a short safari but it gives a brilliant wildlife experience which captures the true heart of Tanzania’s famous Great Migration. This is the perfect safari for couples, families, photographers, honey-mooners or travellers looking for an unforgettable African adventure in a short space of time.
Safari Itinerary
After breakfast, start your adventure with a scenic domestic flight from Arusha to the Ndutu Airstrip, or drive through the beautiful landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On arrival meet your professional safari guide and begin immediately with your first exciting game drive across the endless Ndutu plains. During the calving season, vast herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate across the grasslands with countless newborn calves. The many prey attract lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and jackals, while elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and a variety of bird species complete the spectacular wildlife encounter. Enjoy a picnic lunch or lunch at your lodge before continuing your afternoon safari until sunset. Then, check in to your safari lodge or luxury tented camp for dinner and an unforgettable overnight stay with the sounds of the African wilderness around you.
Meals: Not Included
Comfort Accommodation: Forest Hill Hotel
Premium Accommodation: Ngaresero Lodge
Late morning safari when the animals are most active. See the golden sunrise over the Ndutu plains as predators come back from their night hunting and thousands of wildebeest begin another day on the calving grounds. Your guide will continue to look for amazing wildlife encounters while giving interesting insights into the Great Wildebeest Migration and the unique ecology of the Serengeti ecosystem. After breakfast, take a last short game drive before transferring to Ndutu Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha, or start the scenic drive back to Arusha and continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onwards journey. This is an extraordinary safari and gives you unforgettable memories of one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Though short, it is great.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
MID-RANGE INCLUDES
- All Meals as per Itinerary
- Airport Transfers
- National Park Fees
- Private 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Government taxes and levies
- Soft Drinks & Wines/Beers
MID-RANGE EXCLUDES
- Travel Insurance
- International Flights
- Tipping
- Personal Equipments
- Visa fees
LUXURY INCLUDES
- All Meals as per Itinerary
- VIP airport pick-up and drop-off
- All national park and conservation area fees
- Private 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Government taxes and levies
- Soft Drinks & Wines/Beers
- Premium accommodation in high-end lodges or luxury tented camps
LUXURY EXCLUDES
- Travel Insurance
- International Flights
- Tipping
- Personal Equipments
- Visa fees
- Premium wines and spirits (unless specified)
FAQs
The Tanzania Calving Season Safari is a unique wildlife experience that occurs every year from late January to March when over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu Plains. It is one of the most spectacular phases of the Great Wildebeest Migration and provides for some exceptional wildlife viewing and predator action.
Tanzania Calving Season Safari Best Time: Late January to early March. February is normally the peak of calving season when thousands of wildebeest are born every day, creating incredible wildlife activity on the plains.
The calving season is mainly in the Ndutu area, Southern Serengeti National Park and sections of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These short-grass plains are full of nutrients -- the perfect place for wildebeest to give birth to their babies.
The volcanic grasslands of the southern Serengeti are full of minerals and nutrients and there is plenty of food for nursing mothers. The open plains also enable wildebeest to spot predators from afar, which improves the survival chances for newborn calves.
Yes. Migration is concentrated in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu area during the calving season. There are no dramatic river crossings, but you will see vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle with thousands of newborn calves taking their first steps.
Besides the wildebeest and their young calves, you will most probably see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, jackals, hippos, gazelles, warthogs, ostriches and more than 500 species of birds. It is particularly a great time for predator sightings.
Yes, sure. Tanzania Calving Season Safaris offer some of the best wildlife photography experiences in the world. The combination of baby animals, thrilling predator interactions, lush green scenery, beautiful skies and active wildlife offers great photographic opportunities for the professional or beginner photographer.
Yes. Tanzania Calving Season Safaris are a great choice for families. In a safe, educational environment with experienced professional safari guides, children can experience one of nature’s great events, learn about conservation and witness incredible wildlife behaviour.
Tanzania’s green season is also the calving season when the days are warm (between 24°C to 30°C (75°F–86°F). Rain showers tend to be short, usually only lasting a short while, and the landscape is lush, green and great for wildlife viewing and photography.
Bring along light-coloured, lightweight clothing, a warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives, a waterproof rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, a camera and extra batteries and any personal medications. A small daypack is also handy for day trips.
7 to 10 days is the ideal duration for a safari to experience the calving season in all its glory, as well as other famous destinations such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Longer itineraries can additionally include a beach holiday in Zanzibar or Lake Manyara and Lake Natron.
Tanzaniatrail we specialise in tailor made private safaris to suit your interests and travel style. Our experienced professional guides have an in-depth knowledge of the Serengeti ecosystem and closely monitor migration movements to maximise your wildlife viewing opportunities. We offer comfortable 4x4 safari vehicles, hand-picked lodges, personalised service, flexible itineraries and a commitment to memorable safari experiences whilst supporting responsible tourism and wildlife conservation.
Giving Back Through Every Journey
At Tanzaniatrail, we believe that travel should create lasting memories and make a positive difference. That’s why 1% of every safari package you book goes directly back to local communities in Tanzania. We regularly visit and support orphanages and community centers, and our dream is to establish a dedicated children’s home under Tanzaniatrail’s care. When you travel with us, you’re not only exploring Tanzania’s beauty — you’re also helping provide education, food, and brighter futures for vulnerable children. Your adventure changes lives. Travel with purpose.