wildebeest Calvin Safaris – Ndutu calving season safari | 2025 & 2026

Safari Overview

On this private safari, we journey from Arusha through Tanzania’s legendary wilderness, covering about 1,190 km in eight days with roughly 43 hours on the road. The adventure leads to the southern Serengeti, famously known as the Ndutu region, where between December and March, thousands of wildebeest gather for calving season. The vast short-grass plains become a stage for breathtaking wildlife encounters and thrilling predator action, perfect for adventure-loving couples and photographers seeking authentic experiences. During this time, exclusive mobile camps relocate here, offering stylish comfort close to the spectacle of new life. Each lodge and camp along the route is handpicked for its charm, intimacy, and warm hospitality. From the dramatic highlands of Ngorongoro to the endless Serengeti plains, every day reveals new beauty, adventure, and connection. Curated by Sana Wild Experience, this journey blends wilderness exploration, romance, and storytelling—crafted for couples who seek a deeper connection with Tanzania’s untamed heart.

DAY 1: Arrival – Arusha (JRO Airport → Hammerkop House | 25 km, 0.5 hr)

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your private guide will greet you with a sign bearing your name. After a brief orientation, enjoy a scenic transfer to Hammerkop House by Lemala. Relax, settle in, and savor your first taste of Tanzania over dinner. Tonight, rest well — your adventure begins tomorrow.

Accommodation: Hammerkop House

DAY 2: Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu (Hammerkop House → Tarangire + Game Drive → Lemala Mpingo | 230 km, 5.5 hrs)

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before setting off for Tarangire National Park. Bring your packed lunch for a full-day adventure. Explore the 100 km game drive route, spotting lions, giraffes, elephants, and colorful birdlife. Pass through the Tarangire River loops, Silalei Swamps, and iconic baobab forests.

After your game drive, transfer to Lemala Mpingo Tented Lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight. Evening views from the lodge overlook stunning valleys — a perfect moment for couples to relax under the African sky.

Accommodation: Lemala Mpingo Tented Lodge

DAY 3 & 4: Karatu → Southern Serengeti / Ndutu (Karatu → Ndutu + Game Drive | 260 km, 6 hrs)

Depart early for the Ndutu plains of the southern Serengeti. Between December and March, witness wildebeest calving amidst lush green grass — a dramatic spectacle for wildlife lovers and photographers.

Engage in ~100 km game drives each day, encountering predators like lions and wild dogs, while keeping your camera ready for unforgettable shots. Two nights at Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp immerse you in remote wilderness with cozy evenings around the campfire.

Highlights:

  • Wildebeest calving season (Dec–Mar)

  • Predators: lions, wild dogs, cheetahs

  • Photographic opportunities under vast open skies

Accommodation: Lemala Ndutu

DAY 5 & 6: Southern Serengeti → Central Serengeti (Ndutu → Seronera + Game Drive | 120 km, 3.5 hrs)

Travel north to Seronera Valley, the Serengeti’s wildlife heartland. Enjoy morning and evening ~100 km game drives, spotting big cats, elephants, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species. Seronera’s permanent water sources attract year-round game, making each drive a thrilling adventure.

Return to Kubukubu Tented Camp for relaxing evenings, reflecting on the endless plains and the intimate moments shared amid the wilderness.

Highlights:

  • Big cats and resident wildlife

  • Sunset and sunrise photography

  • Luxury tented camp experience

Accommodation: Kubukubu Tented Camp

DAY 7: Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Karatu (Seronera → Crater + Game Drive → Karatu | 145 km, 4 hrs)

Descend into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater home to 30,000+ animals. Embark on a ~100 km crater floor game drive, spotting rhinos, lions, zebras, and wildebeest against breathtaking landscapes.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before driving back to Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Highlights:

  • Crater floor wildlife adventure

  • Picnic amidst Africa’s grandest scenery

  • Intimate moments watching sunset over the crater rim

DAY 8: Karatu → Arusha (Karatu → Arusha | 190 km, 4 hrs)

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through farmlands and villages back to Arusha. Stop for lunch while enjoying local culture and landscapes. Upon arrival, transfer to Villa Maua or the airport, depending on your flight schedule. Reflect on a week of adventure, wildlife, and intimate shared experiences in Tanzania’s wilderness.

Accommodation: Villa Maua

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Includes and excludes

What is included in this tour?

Items that are included in the cost of the tour price.

  • Respective accommodation or similar throughout as indicated
  • All meals during the Safari
  • Passengers arriving in Tanzania may be asked to present a valid Covid 19 test Certificate
  • Flying doctor
  • Transport with photographic roof hatch land cruiser driven by professional guide
  • Unlimited drinking water during the Safari
  • All national park entry fees
  • Visit Maasai village
  • Government Taxes
  • All airport transfers
  • Programs as stipulated

What is Excluded in this tour?

Items that are not included in the cost of the tour price.

  • Tourist visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • International flights to Kilimanjaro and any other flights(local flights can arranged)
  • Personal shopping and memorabilia
  • Drinks and refreshments
  • Tip to your driver guide
  • Tip to porters
  • Cost to anything not mentioned at the list of included