The Amazing Ndutu

A Safari into the Wild Heart of Calving Season

Ndutu (Southern Serengeti), is one of the best places in the world for safari and wildlife photography, especially during the calving season. Imagine witnessing the breathtaking moment when thousands of wildebeests give birth across the plains, and capturing the drama of predators, like lions, waiting for their chance.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see nature at its rawest and most beautiful, where the action unfolds right before your eyes. Ndutu isn’t just about spotting wildlife—it's about capturing moments that will stay with you forever, especially when you see lions lounging in trees, a rare and incredible sight.

If you're dreaming of photographing the Great Migration and its calving season, or the thrill of big cats among the Serengeti’s vast plains, Ndutu is where it all happens.

Itinerary Details

Availability: December – March (Peak calving season)
Duration: 10 Days
Destinations: Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater → Ndutu → Serengeti
Accommodations: Kahawa House, Ngorongoro Farm House, Masek Tented Lodge, Sametu Camp
Start/End: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

    • Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

    • Private transfer to Kahawa House, a boutique coffee plantation retreat

    • Unwind in your garden-facing suite or explore Arusha’s vibrant markets
      Overnight: Kahawa House
      Meal Plan: Dinner

    • Scenic drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    • Visit a Maasai village: witness traditional dances, warrior rituals, and pastoral life

    • Stop at Mto wa Mbu for a farm-to-table lunch with a local family

    • Evening at Ngorongoro Farm House, a colonial-style lodge with coffee estate views
      Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Sunrise descent into the Ngorongoro Crater (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

    • Full-day safari spotting rhinos, lions, and flamingos at the hippo pool

    • Afternoon coffee tour in Karatu: from bean to cup at a local plantation
      Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Drive to Ndutu Plains, the epicentre of the Great Migration calving season

    • Stay at Masek Tented Lodge with front-row views of wildebeest herds

    • Daily game drives to witness:
      ✓ Thousands of wildebeest births (Dec–Mar)
      ✓ Cheetah hunts on the shortgrass plains
      ✓ Hyena clans scavenging newborn calves

    • Optional bush breakfasts and photography hide sessions
      Overnight: Masek Tented Lodge (3 nights)
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Transfer to Sametu Camp, a luxury tented camp in lion-rich Seronera Valley

    • Track leopards in granite kopjes and cheetahs on the plains

    • Sunrise drives to catch prides feasting on migratory herds

    • Evening sundowners with 360° savannah views
      Overnight: Sametu Camp (3 nights)
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Morning game drive en route to Seronera Airstrip

    • Fly to Arusha (or connect to Zanzibar for a beach extension)
      Meal Plan: Breakfast

Rates:

FROM: US$ 7,302

per person sharing

Inclusions

✔ All accommodations (luxury lodges & mobile tented camps)
✔ Private 4x4 Land Cruiser (pop-up roof + fridge)
✔ Expert safari guide (10+ years’ experience)
✔ All meals + premium beverages (wine, beer, spirits)
✔ All park fees & conservation levies
✔ Domestic flights (Serengeti transfers)

Exclusions

✖ International flights
✖ Travel insurance
✖ Tanzania visa (assistance provided)
✖ Gratuities
✖ Optional balloon safari

Prices are per person, based on two adults travelling together, and exclude international flights to/from East Africa but include all other arrangements outlined in the itinerary.