Tailor-made safari

7-Day Big Five & Calving Season Safari

Track Africa’s most iconic animals during one of the most extraordinary events in the natural world — the Great Calving Season. This 7-day safari combines the Big Five safari experience with front-row access to the wildebeest birthing spectacle in the …

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7 days December - March Up to 7 guests
Guide price USD 1234 Per-person starting estimate
Accommodation style Luxury Private or small-group planning
Optional experience Balloon Safari Subject to season and availability
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Your Tanzania journey

Designed around wildlife, season and pace

Track Africa’s most iconic animals during one of the most extraordinary events in the natural world — the Great Calving Season. This 7-day safari combines the Big Five safari experience with front-row access to the wildebeest birthing spectacle in the Ndutu region of Southern Serengeti.

Begin your journey in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its lush forest and tree-climbing lions, before diving into the Southern Serengeti plains, where thousands of wildebeest calves are born daily — and predators circle in pursuit. Then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with game, including endangered black rhinos.

This itinerary blends breathtaking landscapes, dramatic wildlife moments, and premium lodges, making it ideal for photographers, couples, and wildlife lovers alike.

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Route and wildlife focus aligned to the season.

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Balanced game-drive time, transfers and rest.

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Local support from arrival through departure.

Is this safari right for me?Travel style, pace & practical needs

Private or shared?

Request a private arrangement or ask about joining a small group. Shared departures and availability need confirmation for your dates.

Time in the vehicle

Game drives can mean extended time seated and uneven roads. Tell us your preferred pace; flight days can also involve road transfers.

Walking & activities

Check each day for walks and optional activities. Ask us to confirm distances, terrain and alternatives before booking.

Families & access

Share children’s ages and any access needs. We’ll check lodge, flight and activity requirements before confirming your safari.

Day-by-day experience

The journey, unfolded

7-day safari with 7 carefully planned days. Final routing is reconfirmed around wildlife conditions and your travel dates.

Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit — Kilimanjaro Airport Day 1
Kilimanjaro Airport
Planned experience

Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Enjoy a relaxing evening with views of Mount Meru as you prepare for the wildlife adventure ahead.

Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park – Forests, Birds & Lions — Lake Manyara Day 2
Lake Manyara
Planned experience

Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park – Forests, Birds & Lions

After breakfast, head west to Lake Manyara National Park. Explore a stunning mix of forest, lake, and acacia woodland teeming with baboons, elephants, flamingos, and elusive tree-climbing lions.

Picnic lunch near the lake shore, followed by an afternoon game drive before ascending to your lodge on the escarpment with breathtaking valley views.

Drive to Ndutu – Enter the Calving Season Hotspot — Ndutu Day 3
Ndutu
Planned experience

Drive to Ndutu – Enter the Calving Season Hotspot

Today, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area en route to Ndutu, located in Southern Serengeti — the center of calving activity.

Arrive in time for an evening game drive across the plains, where wildebeest gather in massive numbers, and predators linger nearby.

Full-Day Safari in Ndutu – Births, Hunts & Action — Ndutu Day 4
Ndutu
Planned experience

Full-Day Safari in Ndutu – Births, Hunts & Action

Spend the entire day exploring the Ndutu plains. Thousands of wildebeest calves are born daily, and lions, cheetahs, and hyenas roam the area, creating dramatic scenes of survival.

Your guide will lead you off the beaten tracks for close wildlife encounters, perfect for photography and storytelling.

Morning in Ndutu – Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Rim — Ngorongoro Day 5
Ngorongoro
Planned experience

Morning in Ndutu – Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Enjoy a final morning game drive in Ndutu, then ascend to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Along the way, pass by Maasai villages and sweeping highland views.

Relax at your lodge perched on the crater’s edge.

Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater – Big Five Safari Experience — Ngorongoro Day 6
Ngorongoro
Planned experience

Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater – Big Five Safari Experience

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife haven that’s home to the Big Five, including the endangered black rhino. Enjoy game viewing around the central lake and grassy plains, where lions, elephants, and buffaloes roam.

Departure – Or Extend to Zanzibar — Kilimanjaro Airport Day 7
Kilimanjaro Airport
Planned experience

Departure – Or Extend to Zanzibar

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your international flight, or opt for a short domestic flight to Zanzibar for a relaxing beach extension — white sands and turquoise waters await.

Handpicked accommodation

Selected stays, close to the wild

Lodges and camps are selected for location, atmosphere and service. Final availability is reconfirmed before booking.

Planet Lodge Mid-Range

Lodge · Arusha

Planet Lodge

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

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Transparent planning

Your safari, clearly priced

Compare guide prices by season, group size. We’ll confirm availability and inclusions in your personal proposal.

Published guide price USD1,234 Per person · in US dollars

A starting point for your journey. We’ll shape the final plan around your dates, preferred stays and pace.

Discuss the details with our local team

Built around your dates

Season, party size and lodge availability shape the final price. Ask for a detailed proposal with no obligation.

What’s included & not included Your safari price, explained

Your safari price covers the services below as set out in your agreed itinerary and selected accommodation style. Your final booking confirms the route, stays, meal plans and any requested extras.

Fly-in or fly-out itinerary? Fly-in and fly-out flights included in your itinerary are covered by the itinerary price. International flights and optional flight upgrades are not included unless expressly listed in your booking.

Included in your safari

  • Transfers: airport and other transfers outlined in your program.
  • Safari vehicle: a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for the safari drives in your itinerary.
  • Driver-guide: an English-speaking safari guide for your guided safari.
  • Accommodation: lodges, camps and hotels in your agreed itinerary, based on twin/double sharing unless another arrangement is confirmed.
  • Meals and drinking water: meals specified for each day, including picnic lunches where planned, and bottled water during safari drives.
  • Park fees: required entry, conservation and concession fees for the parks and stays in your agreed program.
  • Itinerary flights: fly-in and fly-out flights where they form part of the itinerary. Your booking confirms the flight arrangements and baggage allowance.
  • Local support: coordination of your safari, accommodation and scheduled transfers by our team.

Not included unless agreed

  • International and extra flights: international airfare, flights outside your itinerary, optional flight upgrades and excess-baggage charges.
  • Visa fees: visas and other personal travel-document costs.
  • Tips: gratuities for guides, rangers and other staff are at your discretion.
  • Single-room supplements: additional charges for single occupancy, unless already included in your confirmed quote.
  • Travel insurance: your personal insurance policy and personal medical expenses.
  • Personal expenses: laundry, souvenirs, meals outside the stated plan and lodge drinks unless specifically included.
  • Optional services: extra activities, extensions and guides in languages other than English, unless included in your quote; availability and any additional cost are confirmed in advance.
  • AMREF Flying Doctors cover: not included by default; only included when arranged and expressly confirmed in your booking.

Please share dietary requirements and room preferences before booking so we can confirm suitable arrangements with your lodges.

These are guide prices, subject to dates and availability. Your written proposal confirms the final cost and inclusions. Wildlife sightings and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Seasonal movement

The migration is a year-round journey

Rainfall and grazing shape the herds’ movement. We position the route for your month rather than promising a scheduled sighting.

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January – March

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

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April – June

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

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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.

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October – December

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

Your route

Across Tanzania, one connected journey

7 mapped route points from the working itinerary. Exact roads and timings remain flexible for local conditions.

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Built around you

Turn this itinerary into your safari

Share your dates, group size and travel style. Our Arusha team will refine the route and send a clear proposal.

Talk to a local expert