9-Day Calving Season Serengeti Ndutu & Meet the Locals

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha

After your airport pickup, you’ll transfer to Kiboko Lodge, a scenic 45-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Nestled at the edge of Arusha National Park, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Run by former street children, your stay directly supports the Watoto Foundation’s mission to provide them with a better future. Relax and soak in the warm hospitality while contributing to a meaningful cause. It's the perfect start to your safari adventure.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Kiboko Lodge

• Budget lodge located near Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Village Tour and Hike

Today will change your perspective on life! In the morning, take a guided walk through Ngurdoto village, where you’ll visit a local school, hospital, and church while engaging with friendly villagers for a glimpse into daily Tanzanian life. After lunch at the lodge, drive to Makumira to visit the “Child in the Star” project. Explore classrooms, meet students and teachers, and learn about their inspiring journey. Then, enjoy a 1.5-hour guided hike through rice fields, where students enthusiastically share insights about bird species, monkeys, and the area's beautiful landscapes. You’ll also discover an old German colonial house and hear the students' personal stories—an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. The hike duration can be adjusted to your preferences, making this a truly unique cultural and educational encounter.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Kiboko Lodge

• Budget lodge located near Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

First Safari Adventure in Tarangire

Today, embark on your first thrilling game drive! After breakfast, you'll take packed lunches and head to Tarangire National Park, one of the most scenic parks in the Northern Circuit. Known for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, Tarangire offers a spectacular safari experience. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your adventure. Tonight, stay at a tented camp near the park gate, where you’ll savor excellent food, top-notch service, and breathtaking views of the nature reserve.

Distance: ~190 km
Drive Time & Road Conditions: ~3-4 hours (1.5 hours on sandy roads, 2-3 hours on main roads).

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Tarangire Kati Kati Tented Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Tarangire NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Custom Safari & Relaxing Karatu Stay

Today, customize your safari experience based on your preferences! Choose a half-day game drive with a picnic lunch, an early morning drive returning for lunch at the camp, or a relaxed morning with breakfast before heading toward the main gate. Later in the afternoon, embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Karatu, a charming town known for its vibrant market and small shops. Here, you’ll stay in a comfortable lodge on the outskirts, offering a peaceful retreat after an adventurous day in the wild.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Accommodation:

Mama Dunia Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Tarangire NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Journey to Ndutu – Scenic Wilderness Adventure

After an early breakfast, you’ll take packed lunches and set off for Ndutu in the southern Serengeti, traveling through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of the crater from above before continuing through the vast savannah.

Distance: 250 km
Drive Time & Road Conditions: ~6 hours (partly paved, mostly sandy and bumpy) – a long but scenic journey!

Tonight, unwind at Ndutu Safari Lodge, a charming retreat that perfectly captures the authentic African safari atmosphere.

Main Destination:

Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Accommodation:

Ndutu Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ndutu Safari – Witness the Great Migration

Spend a full day exploring the breathtaking Ndutu region of the Serengeti, where the Great Migration unfolds between December and March. During February, an astonishing 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily, attracting predators like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Despite the dangers, most newborns survive, thriving on the nutrient-rich grasses of the southern plains.

The acacia woodlands are alive with diverse birdlife, monkeys, and small mammals, while buffalo, hartebeests, impalas, and gazelles roam freely.

With your guide, customize your experience—start with a sunrise game drive or enjoy a relaxed morning at camp. Choose between a picnic lunch in the wild or a hot meal at the lodge—the adventure is yours to shape!

Main Destination:

Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Accommodation:

Ndutu Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ngorongoro Crater Safari & Karatu Retreat

After breakfast, set off on an unforgettable game drive in the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. A scenic 2-hour drive brings you to the crater rim, where breathtaking views unfold before you. Descend into the caldera, home to incredible wildlife, including the rare black rhino and active prides of lions. With your guide’s sharp eye, you’ll have the best chance of spotting these magnificent animals up close.

At Hippo Pool, enjoy a picnic lunch while watching hippos wallow in the cool water.

Optional: Visit a Maasai village for a cultural experience (additional cost).

In the afternoon, head to Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, where spacious rooms, friendly staff, and delicious food await—an ideal place to unwind after an exciting day.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Manyara Safari & Cultural Retreat

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, where an exciting game drive awaits. The lake’s shores are lined with flamingos, while baboons, elephants, zebras, hippos, giraffes, and various antelope roam freely. Keep an eye out for the elusive tree-climbing lions, a rare sight unique to this park!

In the afternoon, head to Motto Cottage, a cozy lodge near Mto wa Mbu village.

Optional Extension: Stay an extra day to explore Mto wa Mbu by bike, enjoy a local lunch, visit an authentic Maasai Boma, experience the Tree Top Walk, or simply unwind by the pool (additional cost).

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)

High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

LionOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

Motto Cottages

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Lake Manyara NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Farewell & Optional Cultural Exploration

Depending on your flight schedule, take the opportunity to explore the charming village of Mto wa Mbu. You can opt for a cultural tour (additional cost) or rent a bike to explore the village, shop for local crafts, and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

When it's time to depart, you’ll be transferred to the airport or a lodge in Arusha, marking the end of your incredible Tanzanian adventure.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.