Join GEOMURO TRAVEL for a privileged, 6-day journey to the heart of the Great Migration’s calving season (typically January-March). This is nature at its most raw and beautiful. Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra converge on the short-grass plains of Ndutu—the fertile boundary between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro—to give birth simultaneously.
With two full days dedicated to this phenomenon, you are guaranteed a front-row seat to an incredible display of new life, drawing every major predator, from lion prides to swift cheetahs. This safari also includes a visit to the intimate forests of Lake Manyara and the magnificent bowl of life, the Ngorongoro Crater, ensuring you experience the best of Northern Tanzania during its most dramatic time of year.
Your extraordinary adventure begins with an 8:00 AM pickup in Arusha. We embark on a scenic drive, descending into the Great Rift Valley towards Lake Manyara National Park. This compact, green jewel is known for its groundwater forest, towering figs, and prolific birdlife. Our full-day game drive focuses on the large herds of elephants and buffaloes, the chattering families of baboons, and, with luck, the park’s famed tree-climbing lions. The stunning backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the pink hues of the soda lake make for a photographer’s paradise. We settle into our comfortable camp for a restful first night.
After breakfast, we journey north, the landscape transforming as we head for the expansive, open plains of Ndutu. This nutrient-rich short grass is the chosen maternity ward for the Great Migration. This area, bridging the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is the epicenter of life during the calving season. We begin tracking immediately, searching for the massive herds. Witnessing a wildebeest calf take its first wobbly steps within minutes of birth is an emotional and unforgettable experience. Tonight, we rest near the herds, immersed in the sounds of the African bush.
Today is fully dedicated to the raw spectacle of the Ndutu plains. We rise early, eager to catch the dawn action. During the peak calving period, up to 8,000 babies can be born in a single day, an astronomical display of fertility. However, where there is new life, there is intense predator activity. Our experienced guide will lead us to the best locations to observe lion prides, patrolling cheetahs, and stealthy leopards drawn by the abundance of vulnerable prey. It’s a day that encapsulates the beautiful, brutal, and utterly captivating cycle of life and death in the wild.
We bid farewell to the concentrated drama of Ndutu and journey into the iconic, boundless plains of the Central Serengeti. Though the main herds are south for calving, the Central Serengeti (Seronera region) is always rich in resident wildlife and big cats. Our focus shifts to tracking resident prides and searching for the elusive leopard along the riverine areas. For a truly unique perspective on the Siringitu (“Endless Plains”), you have the unforgettable option to take an early morning hot air balloon safari, floating silently over the savannah as the sun rises.
We leave the plains and drive towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descending 600 meters into the crater floor, we enter a UNESCO World Heritage Site described as the “world’s largest natural zoo.” This self-contained ecosystem boasts the highest concentration of permanent wildlife in Africa. We spend the morning on a thrilling game drive, guaranteeing sightings of the Big Five (including the highly sought-after Black Rhino). After our game drive and a scenic picnic lunch, we ascend the crater walls. We finish the day in the peaceful highlands town of Karatu.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast in the beautiful Karatu highlands, reflecting on the immense scale of the wildlife you witnessed. Your private GEOMURO TRAVEL driver will provide a comfortable, timely transfer to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), timed perfectly for your departure. You leave Tanzania with a deep appreciation for the fragility and triumph of life on the African savannah.
Contact us. We are always here to help
From
/Per Person
