January to March on the short-grass plains of Ndutu, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born and the predators follow.
This is our calving season safari. From January to March the migration settles on the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti, and around 8,000 wildebeest calves are born on a single day at the peak. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas are everywhere. The route adds Tarangire and two nights in the Central Serengeti before the herds, then finishes with the Ngorongoro Crater. Camps at Ndutu are in high demand in February, which is reflected in the price.
This safari is for travellers who want the most predator action of the year and green, photogenic landscapes: wildlife photographers, second-time visitors and couples who want something unforgettable. It suits people who do not mind the odd afternoon shower. It is not for travellers who want river crossings, which happen only from July to October. If you have more time, our 11-day Best of Tanzania and calving season safari adds Arusha National Park and Lake Manyara.
We can refine pace, accommodation style, flight logistics, park combinations and beach extensions around your dates, budget and travel rhythm.
Karibu Tanzania. Your guide meets you at the airport and drives you about an hour to your hotel in Arusha. Over a drink, he explains how the calving season works, where the herds were seen this week and how the route will follow them. January to March is the green season in Tanzania, so short afternoon showers are possible and the landscapes are lush. Dinner is at the hotel.
Where you sleep: Budget: Kibo Palace Hotel · Mid-range: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha · Luxury: Gran Meliá Arusha
Meals: Breakfast
Guide's tip: Pack a light rain jacket. Showers in the green season are usually short, and the light after the rain is the best of the day.
After breakfast you drive about two hours to Tarangire National Park. In the green season Tarangire is quieter than in the dry months, with fewer elephants but more birds, newborn animals and very few vehicles. You still see elephant families, giraffe, zebra and lion among the baobabs. After a full day in the park you drive about 2 hours to Karatu in the cool highlands for the night.
Where you sleep: Budget: Marera Valley Lodge · Mid-range: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge · Luxury: Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Bird lovers should come in the green season. Over 500 species live in Tarangire and the migrant birds from Europe are here now.
After breakfast you cross the Ngorongoro highlands and drive into the Serengeti, about 5 hours with game viewing on the way. You enter the plains at Naabi Hill, where in the calving season large herds may already be on the move. You continue to the Seronera area, the home of the Serengeti's big cats, for an afternoon game drive and the night in camp.
Where you sleep: Budget: Serengeti Sametu Camp · Mid-range: Arukore Simba Camp · Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Ask your guide about the kopjes near Seronera, the Simba and Masai kopjes. Lions use them to watch the plains.
A full day in the Central Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. The Seronera River valley has water all year, so it holds resident lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and hippos even when the migration is in the south. Green grass after the rains brings out newborn gazelles and topi. Your guide decides on the day whether to stay in the centre or drive south to meet the first herds. An optional sunrise balloon flight is possible this morning.
Where you sleep: Budget: Serengeti Sametu Camp · Mid-range: Arukore Simba Camp · Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Leopards are easiest to find in the trees along the Seronera River in the mornings. Your guide scans every sausage tree.
Today you move south to the Ndutu area, on the border of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about 2 to 3 hours. This is where the migration spends the calving season. On the short-grass plains you may see hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra, newborn calves taking their first steps within minutes, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas waiting nearby. Off-road driving is allowed in the Ndutu area, so your guide can take you closer to the action. You spend the night in a camp right in the middle of it.
Where you sleep: Budget: Tanzania Bush Camp – Ndutu · Mid-range: Malaika Migration Camp – Ndutu · Luxury: Lemala Ndutu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Births often happen in the morning. Your guide will want an early start; it is worth it.
A full day at Ndutu with the herds, their calves and their predators. Around Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek you also find resident wildlife: elephant, giraffe, and in the woodland, leopard and the rare serval cat. Cheetahs are especially common here in the calving season, and the open plains make them easy to watch. Lunch is a picnic in the field so you never miss a hunt.
Where you sleep: Budget: Tanzania Bush Camp – Ndutu · Mid-range: Malaika Migration Camp – Ndutu · Luxury: Lemala Ndutu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Watch a cheetah mother with cubs if you find one. She has to hunt every day or two, so you have a real chance to see a chase.
After an early breakfast you drive about 2 hours to the crater rim and descend 600 metres to the floor for a day of game viewing. The crater has its own resident animals all year: lion, buffalo, elephant, zebra, wildebeest, hyena and one of the best chances in Tanzania to see the black rhino. Flamingos are often on the soda lake in the wet season. Picnic lunch by the hippo pool, then you climb out and drive to Karatu for the night.
Where you sleep: Budget: Marera Valley Lodge · Mid-range: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge · Luxury: Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: The crater can be cold and misty early in the green season. A warm layer makes the first hour much more pleasant.
After breakfast you drive about 3 hours back to Arusha and on to the airport for your flight home. If you have more time, a few days in Zanzibar after the calving season are lovely: January and February are hot and dry on the coast.
Where you sleep: No overnight: transfer to the airport
Meals: Breakfast
Guide's tip: January and February are among the best months for Zanzibar, so the calving season and the beach combine very well.
The journey moves place by place in a calm sequence, ordered to reduce fatigue and protect the best sightings.
Travel from January to March, the calving season. Most calves are born in a few weeks in February, which is the peak month for predator action.
| Arusha → Tarangire | 2–2.5 h |
| Central Serengeti → Ndutu | 2–3 h |
| Ndutu → Ngorongoro | 2 h |
Approximate, by road, with short stops. Your guide adjusts the pace on the day.
Prices depend on your dates, group size and lodge level. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.
From $6,518 per person sharing, luxury calving-season camps. That includes your private 4x4 Land Cruiser and guide, the lodges listed for each day, meals on safari and all park fees. We confirm the exact price for your dates within 24 hours.
Yes. You travel in your own 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own professional guide. It can start on any day you choose.
Travel from January to March, the calving season. Most calves are born in a few weeks in February, which is the peak month for predator action. Our migration calendar shows where the herds are in each month.
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. We adjust the days, parks and pace.
Yes. Since 1 October 2026 every foreign visitor to mainland Tanzania needs the $44 government travel insurance, and we recommend your own policy as well.
The safari with Tony as our tour operator and guide was absolutely great in every aspect. The hospitality, the excellent knowledge of the animals, nature, the country and its people, the absolute reliability and care, the superb service and all the details covered, just excellent. I would go with Tony and his company any day again. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Asante sana.
MonicaSwitzerland · Visited July 2026Visiting Tanzania and seeing the parks was a wonderful experience. Tony and Inocent were our guides and they were lovely. A 10/10 trip. (automatic translation from Spanish)
MartaSpain · Visited June 2026The safari with Antony was amazing. We trusted him our itinerary and it was worth it. In my opinion, the best thing about it was his knowledge and how respectful he is with wildlife. It is amazing finding people that really love their job and show it.
Cristian PintoUnited Kingdom · Visited October 2024Was an interesting trip, a wonderful place and a perfect experience
Moisés RodríguezPeru · Visited January 2023We went on a 5 days Safari in Tanzania. We visit the Serengeti and Ngororo plains, around the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks & the Ngororo crater. Big boss Antony designed an amazing programme and our guide Peter gave us a unique experience into the wild Africa. His magic eye was able to catch exotic animals, like cheetahs and rhinos, finding the perfect spot in a middle of a vast plain. My only complaint was that I had to go back to work 🤓 Miss you already, guys! What a wonderful adventure !!!
Marcela Celis AmorteguiColombia · Visited October 2025This Past year we visited Tanzania , let me tell you how it went. From the moment our plane touched down, every aspect of our trip was meticulously managed. The airport transfers were seamless, and the selection of hotels and safari lodges provided truly top-tier comfort and amenities. Each accommodation was not only luxurious and well-appointed but also strategically chosen to enhance our overall experience. Tony our guide, consistently went above and beyond to ensure our family felt completely safe, comfortable and well cared for. His extensive knowledge of the wildlife, local culture and terrain was captivating, enriching every game drive and interactions. The entire expedition, from the breathtaking wildlife encounters to the impeccable logistical arrangements, was nothing short of spectacular. We wholeheartedly RECOMMEND Tony and BigfiveTrails to anyone seeking a truly unparalleled and profoundly memorable Tanzanian Safari experience. They deliver excellence in every detail.
NeEma BrostromUnited States · Visited December 2025The safari experience with Tony is fantastic; he is a highly intelligent and knowledgeable person who loves and respects animals—and he conveys that passion throughout the trip. He is very patient in explaining animal behavior and the surrounding vegetation in great detail, taking the time to point out every little thing. He always keeps a smile on his face, ensuring that everyone in the vehicle is enjoying the safari. His vehicle is comfortable, clean, and equipped with air conditioning. Safaris are great, but with Tony, they are something truly special. We are very grateful to Tony.
ElizabethUruguay · Visited September 2026Our trip to Tanzania with Big Five Trails was absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was very well organized and allowed us to experience some of the most beautiful places in the country, with incredible wildlife sightings and unforgettable landscapes. A huge part of what made the trip so special was our guide, Tony. He was simply incredible: professional, friendly, patient and extremely knowledgeable about the animals, nature and Tanzania. He is also an exceptional tracker — it honestly felt as if he had some kind of direct communication with the animals! He had an incredible ability to spot wildlife from a distance, read tracks and signs, and somehow always seemed to know where the animals were going to appear. Thanks to him, we were able to see an amazing variety of wildlife and enjoy some truly unforgettable encounters. He made every safari drive exciting and interesting, and was always attentive to the group, making us feel comfortable and safe throughout the whole trip. Everything was well coordinated, communication was easy, and the overall experience felt very personal rather than like a standard organized tour. Tanzania was already an incredible destination, but Tony and the team made the experience even better. I would absolutely recommend Big Five Trails to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania, and I would especially recommend asking for Tony as your guide. I would travel with them again without hesitation!
Dolores BAndorra · Visited November 2025Share your timing, travel style and must-have moments. We will turn this itinerary into a personal proposal with the right rhythm, camps and price, within 24 hours.
★★★★★“Tony our guide, consistently went above and beyond to ensure our family felt completely safe, comfortable and well cared for.”
NeEma Brostrom · United States · Visited December 2025
★★★★★“A huge part of what made the trip so special was our guide, Tony.”
Dolores B · Andorra · Visited November 2025
Partner lodges include Singita, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Gran Meliá Arusha and Meliá Zanzibar.
TALA licence no. 036593
Six things you can count on, whichever safari you choose.
Move your dates free of charge up to 60 days before arrival.
Park fees, taxes, private vehicle, guide and drinking water are in your price.
Airport pickup and drop-off included on every safari.
Every lodge and camp hand-picked by our team in Arusha.
Our Arusha team answers you every day of your trip, day or night.
Your own 4x4 and guide – no strangers, no fixed schedule.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 on SafariBookings by verified travellers. Planned and run from our base in Arusha.
| If you cancel | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before arrival | Deposit retained, or moved to new dates within 12 months |
| 59 to 30 days before arrival | 50% of the total trip price |
| 29 to 15 days before arrival | 75% of the total trip price |
| Less than 15 days before arrival | 100% of the total trip price |
Park fees and flights already paid to third parties may be non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. Full refund policy
Migration SafariFly straight to Kogatende for the river-crossing season, then drive south through the Central Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Migration SafariArusha National Park by canoe, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Central Serengeti and two nights at Ndutu for the calving season.
Migration SafariThe Great Migration on a sensible budget: no flights, simple tented camps, four nights in the Serengeti and your own private guide.