11 Days | 10 Nights
December - April
Experience the wonder of Calving Season in the Serengeti, where thousands of wildebeest and other animals give birth. Witness newborns take their first steps, offering unforgettable wildlife photography opportunities and a rare glimpse into nature’s most intimate moments.
Day 1
Your Journey start at Kilimanjaro International Airport
After you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team will be ready to welcome you and help with customs clearance. Then, we’ll make sure you have a comfortable ride to your accommodation in Arusha. There, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and get a good night’s rest. This is a perfect time to relax and prepare for the exciting safari ahead while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Lodging
Mt Meru Game Lodge or Similar
Day 2
After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll set out on a drive to Arusha National Park, a beautiful area with many different ecosystems and amazing views of Mt. Meru. This park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, along with the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and lush forests that cover the lower parts of the mountain.
As you explore the park, you’ll get to see a wide variety of wildlife and use the flash techniques you learned during the briefing. Around the peaceful Momela Lakes, you’ll likely encounter large flocks of flamingos and many other bird species. The calm atmosphere around the lakes offers a great chance to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace.
In the forested areas, keep an eye out for the rare Black & White colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops. These playful monkeys are a highlight of any visit to the park. After a day filled with wildlife and beautiful scenery, you’ll return to the lodge in the late afternoon to relax and reflect on your adventure.
Lodging
Mount Meru Game Lodge or Similar
Day 3
After breakfast, begin your day with an engaging visit to a local Maasai village, where you’ll immerse yourself in the rich traditions of one of Africa’s most iconic tribes. Experience their way of life, observe daily activities, and gain a deeper understanding of customs that have been passed down through generations.
Next, take a short drive to the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu, renowned for its lush banana and rice plantations. Enjoy a cultural tour before sharing a traditional lunch with a local family, savoring authentic African flavors in a welcoming atmosphere.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll arrive and have time to relax before embarking on the next exciting chapter of your adventure.
Lodgings
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Day 4
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a deep exploration of this remarkable ecosystem, one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, the crater floor is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. This area is known for being one of the best places in Africa to spot black rhino, thanks to conservation efforts that have helped protect and sustain this endangered species in their natural habitat.
As you explore, you’ll also encounter a dense population of predators, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and the elusive leopard. If you’re fortunate, you may also spot the rare caracal, serval cat, or African wild cat—small, elusive creatures that require a keen eye to find.
Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at one of the designated sites within the crater, where you can take in the vast beauty of the landscape. In the afternoon, continue your game drive to visit the hippo pool near the Mandusi Swamp and the stunning Lake Magadi, a shallow alkaline lake that is a key feature of the crater. Explore the lush Lerai Forest and other parts of the crater before returning to your lodge for a well-deserved dinner and overnight rest.
Ngorongoro Crater’s captivating wildlife, paired with its conservation efforts to protect species like the black rhino, makes it an unforgettable safari destination.
Lodgings
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Day 5
Start your day with a visit to Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites. Discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey, this location has revealed nearly 60 hominid fossils and remains of 7,000 extinct animal species, offering an extraordinary look into our ancient history.
Take a private tour of the excavation sites and museum, where you can explore fascinating artifacts and gain insight into the origins of humanity.
Next, head to the picturesque Ndutu region, nestled between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the southern Serengeti plains. After lunch at your camp, set out on an exciting afternoon game drive.
Ndutu’s short-grass plains are a prime location for the Great Migration, especially from December to March. Witness incredible wildlife moments as wildebeest gather for calving season, drawing in predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The region also offers year-round sightings of giraffes, elephants, and a wide variety of birdlife.
As the sun sets, soak in the stunning views of the African wilderness before returning to camp for a campfire cocktail, a delicious dinner, and a peaceful evening under the stars.
Lodgings
Canopy Migration Camp - Ndutu
Day 6 and 7
Experience the enchanting Ndutu forest, where the southern Serengeti plains meet the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, alive with the rhythm of the Great Migration. From December to May, this area becomes a sanctuary for vast herds of wildebeest and zebras, offering an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.
Your journey takes you through diverse landscapes, from the shimmering shores of Lake Masek to the towering acacia woodlands of Lake Ndutu, where elephants, leopards, and countless birds thrive. Explore the peaceful Hidden Valley and enjoy breathtaking views of the Kusini and Kakesio Plains, where Africa’s wilderness stretches endlessly before you.
Renowned for its high predator concentration, Ndutu promises thrilling game drives. Cheetahs chase prey across the plains, while lions, both resident and nomadic, follow the migration. Hyenas watch, waiting for their moment. During calving season, witness the miracle of new life as thousands of wildebeest and zebras are born, a moving reminder of nature’s resilience.
As the sun sets, return to camp to relax under the African sky, enjoy a campfire cocktail of the day, reflecting on the day’s incredible encounters. With more adventure ahead, let the wild beauty of Ndutu capture your spirit.
Lodgings
Canopy Migration Camp - Ndutu
Day 8, 9 and 10
Exploring the central eastern Serengeti.
Start your day with a sunrise game drive through the Ndutu forest and southern Serengeti plains. Then, journey to the Serengeti through Gol Kopjes, known for its rocky outcrops and rich wildlife. Continue to the central-eastern Serengeti, where a cozy camp awaits for a delicious lunch.
The central Serengeti and Seronera River Valley are teeming with wildlife. This diverse area, where plains meet woodlands, is home to elephants, giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, buffalo, baboons, and vervet monkeys. Predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs also roam the kopjes.
In the Serengeti, you can split your days into two sessions: early morning and late afternoon. Explore the central Serengeti at dawn for breathtaking wildlife interactions and photo opportunities, and again in the afternoon for more game viewing in the Seronera Valley.
As the sun sets, return to camp to relax under the African sky, enjoy a campfire cocktail of the day, reflecting on the day’s incredible encounters. With more adventure ahead, let the wild beauty of the eastern Serengeti plains and kopjes
Lodgings
Canopy Wilderness Camp – Eastern Serengeti
Day 11
Start your day with an early breakfast at the camp, soaking in the peaceful morning ambiance before heading toward Seronera Airstrip. Along the way, enjoy one last opportunity for wildlife viewing as the Serengeti’s vast plains and remarkable animals bid you farewell.
Afterward, board a scenic bush flight from Seronera to Arusha, taking in breathtaking aerial views of the Serengeti and surrounding landscapes. Upon arrival, you will visit a nearby cultural heritage site, where you’ll have the option to browse for authentic Tanzanian souvenirs—an excellent way to bring a piece of your adventure home.
A short drive will then take you to Airport Planet Lodge, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a tranquil setting, offering the perfect moment to relax and reflect on your incredible journey. Later, unwind over an early farewell dinner, savoring your final evening in Tanzania before your onward travel arrangements.
Day Use Room
Airport Planet Lodge
