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Follow the herds: Ndutu calving from January to March, Mara River crossings from July to October
Nearly two million wildebeest and zebra circle the Serengeti and Masai Mara every year. This seven-day safari follows them. From January to March we base you at Ndutu for the calving season, when thousands of calves are born each day and predators are everywhere. From July to October we fly or drive north to the Kogatende area for the Mara River crossings. The itinerary below shows the dry season version; for calving dates the northern nights move to Ndutu. Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater complete the trip.
Dry season and the Mara River crossings: the best game viewing, book early
Short rains: quieter parks, lower prices, lush scenery
Holidays and the calving season on the southern plains
Warm, end of the calving season, good value
Long rains: green and very quiet, our lowest prices
After breakfast drive about 2.5 hours south-west from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is elephant country, with herds of up to several hundred along the Tarangire River, ancient baobab trees, tree-climbing pythons and over 500 bird species. Game drive through the day with a picnic lunch in the park.
Drive from Karatu up through the Ngorongoro highlands, stopping at the crater viewpoint, and down onto the short-grass plains to Naabi Hill Gate. Game drive into the central Serengeti, where lion, cheetah and leopard are seen year round, arriving at camp for sunset.
Drive north through the Lobo hills to the Kogatende area. From July to October the herds gather on the banks of the Mara River, and crossings, with crocodiles waiting in the water, are the most dramatic wildlife event in Africa. Crossings cannot be predicted, so we spend the day following the herds along the river.
From July to October the herds gather on the banks of the Mara River, and crossings, with crocodiles waiting in the water, are the most dramatic wildlife event in Africa. Crossings cannot be predicted, so we spend the day following the herds along the river.
Morning by the river, then game drive south through the Lobo hills and the central Serengeti, arriving at Seronera in the late afternoon.
Leave the Serengeti early and descend 600 m into Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On its 260 square kilometre floor you can see black rhino, lion, elephant, hippo, hyena and thousands of wildebeest and zebra in a single day. Picnic lunch by the hippo pool, then climb out in the afternoon.
After breakfast drive from Karatu back to Arusha (about 2.5 to 3 hours) for lunch. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your evening flight, or to your Arusha hotel.
Private transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport and your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, one way, for up to 4 people with luggage.
One more night in a mid-range Arusha hotel with breakfast, per person sharing a double room.
About one hour aloft at sunrise over the central Serengeti, followed by a champagne bush breakfast. Booked through a licensed balloon operator; flights depend on the weather.
Visit a Maasai boma to meet a family, see traditional dances and learn about daily life. The fee goes to the village.
Flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, transfers, three nights in a Nungwi beach hotel on half board and Zanzibar visitor insurance. Per person sharing.
Tell us your dates and party size — we'll confirm availability and send a clear quote.