5-Day Fly-In Wildebeest Calving Safari in Ndutu (5-Day Itinerary)


From : $1234
Dates : December - March
Badge : Luxury
Optional : Maasai Experience

What to Expect on this 5-Day Fly-In Wildebeest Calving Safari in Ndutu

This exclusive 5-day fly-in safari is tailor-made for travelers who value efficiency, comfort, and front-row access to one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events — the Great Wildebeest Calving Season in Ndutu.

From the moment you board your scenic bush flight from Arusha to Ndutu, you’ll bypass long road transfers and step directly into the heart of the Southern Serengeti ecosystem. Here, between January and March, over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born on the open plains — often up to 8,000 in a single day. This miraculous explosion of life draws in a host of predators, making each day a high-stakes drama of survival.

You’ll spend three full days immersed in Ndutu’s rich mosaic of woodlands, grasslands, and marshes. Enjoy off-road game drives, which are permitted in this region, offering unmatched photographic angles and close encounters. Witness cheetahs in pursuit, lion prides on the prowl, and newborn calves finding their footing — all beneath vast African skies.

Your stay includes luxury tented camps or eco-lodges nestled in the wilderness, blending modern comfort with a true sense of safari adventure. Whether you're a wildlife photographer, a couple seeking a romantic escape, or a traveler combining this with a Zanzibar beach extension, this itinerary offers a seamless, enriching experience from start to finish.

Return to Arusha via air, relaxed and fulfilled, with your memory cards full and your soul stirred.


The Great Migration Timetable
January – March

Calving season unfolds across the lush southern Serengeti. Over 500,000 newborn wildebeest are delivered, attracting predators and offering thrilling game viewing.

April – June

As the rains give way to golden grasslands, the herds begin their movement northwest, creating picturesque scenes across the Western Corridor.

July – September

This is the most dramatic period, as the herds cross the crocodile-infested Mara River. Ideal for witnessing high-stakes survival and iconic wildlife moments.

October – December

The herds make their journey south once more, passing through the central and eastern Serengeti in a quieter, more exclusive safari window.

Pricing & Seasons


Group Size 2 ppl 4 ppl 6 ppl
Price None None None

Group Size 2 ppl 4 ppl 6 ppl
Price None None None

Group Size 2 ppl 4 ppl 6 ppl
Price None None None
What’s Included

  • Expert-led game drives in a private 4×4 vehicle
  • Luxury accommodations with daily breakfast
  • All government taxes, park fees & VAT
  • Unlimited mileage throughout your journey
  • Complimentary drinking water & hot beverages
What’s Not Included

  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities & personal expenses
Arrival in Arusha – Rest and Prepare for the Wild Day 1

Arrival in Arusha – Rest and Prepare for the Wild

Kilimanjaro Airport

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your private guide will greet you and escort you to your lodge in Arusha. Take the afternoon to relax and enjoy this leafy city set against the backdrop of Mount Meru.

Whether it’s coffee in the garden, a spa treatment, or a dip in the pool, tonight is about comfort and anticipation. Your guide will review your itinerary and ensure you’re prepared for tomorrow’s flight to the bush.

Accommodation
Planet Lodge

Planet Lodge

Lodge — 3★

Arusha

Fly to Ndutu – The Calving Season Unfolds Day 2

Fly to Ndutu – The Calving Season Unfolds

Ndutu

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your scenic bush flight to Ndutu, a region of Southern Serengeti alive with wildlife during the calving season.

Touch down on a remote airstrip and immediately begin your first game drive en route to your camp. In this open ecosystem, wildebeest and zebra dominate the landscape, and predators lurk in the shadows. As the sun sets, enjoy a campfire dinner surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

Accommodation
Request Accommodation

Request Accommodation

Lodge — 3★

Kilimanjaro/Arusha

Full-Day Calving Safari in Ndutu – Life & Survival on the Plains Day 3

Full-Day Calving Safari in Ndutu – Life & Survival on the Plains

Ndutu

Today, spend the full day immersed in the Ndutu ecosystem, where wildebeest births happen almost every minute during peak season. Your expert guide will help track herds, identify fresh births, and locate predators in action.

Watch cheetahs scan the horizon, lions wait in tall grasses, and hyenas test the newborns. You’ll enjoy a bush picnic lunch between sightings before continuing to explore the grasslands and marshes in golden light.

Accommodation
Request Accommodation

Request Accommodation

Lodge — 3★

Kilimanjaro/Arusha

Final Safari in Ndutu – Golden Hours & Predator Encounters Day 4

Final Safari in Ndutu – Golden Hours & Predator Encounters

Ndutu

On your final full day, rise early for a golden-hour game drive — perfect for photography. With luck, you may witness a dramatic chase, a lion pride at rest, or a newborn calf’s first moments.

Spend the afternoon in quieter areas: a watering hole where elephants gather, or the edge of a seasonal lake filled with flamingos. This is your last full immersion in Ndutu’s calving drama — so take it slow and soak it in.

Accommodation
Request Accommodation

Request Accommodation

Lodge — 3★

Kilimanjaro/Arusha

Return Flight to Arusha – Departure or Zanzibar Extension Day 5

Return Flight to Arusha – Departure or Zanzibar Extension

Arusha

After breakfast, enjoy a short game drive en route to the airstrip. Your return flight to Arusha offers stunning aerial views of the Ngorongoro Highlands and the Rift Valley below.

Upon landing, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight — or connect to a Zanzibar extension for rest, romance, and relaxation on the coast.

Accommodation
Request Accommodation

Request Accommodation

Lodge — 3★

Kilimanjaro/Arusha

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Planet Lodge
Planet Lodge
Lodge • 3

the best hotel in arusha, you need all your trust to be on this hotgelthe …

$95.00

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Lodge • 3

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Low Season Rates

Quieter parks, fewer crowds, lower rates.

Accommodation Class 2 ppl 4 ppl 6+ ppl
Mid Luxury $ $ $
Luxury $ $ $
High-end $ $ $
Mid Season Rates

Pleasant weather, moderate rates, balanced experience.

Accommodation Class 2 ppl 4 ppl 6+ ppl
Mid Luxury $ $ $
Luxury $ $ $
High-end $ $ $
High Season Rates

Peak season: best wildlife sightings, premium rates.

Accommodation Class 2 ppl 4 ppl 6+ ppl
Mid Luxury $ $ $
Luxury $ $ $
High-end $ $ $

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

Itinerary Overview

Your 5-day journey at a glance

5-Day Itinerary Overview

  • Day 1
    Arrival in Arusha – Rest and Prepare for the Wild
    Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Day 2
    Fly to Ndutu – The Calving Season Unfolds
    Ndutu
  • Day 3
    Full-Day Calving Safari in Ndutu – Life & Survival on the Plains
    Ndutu
  • Day 4
    Final Safari in Ndutu – Golden Hours & Predator Encounters
    Ndutu
  • Day 5
    Return Flight to Arusha – Departure or Zanzibar Extension
    Arusha