Wildebeest Migration Calving Safari (December/March)

On this day, you can choose to go to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. Depending on the time of year, each of these parks offers a different safari experience. Your guide can advise you as to which is best to visit during your safari.

If Tarangire National Park
You’ll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the approximately two hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.

A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you’ll have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your lunch!

Driving through the park you’ll also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx.

After your day’s drive is done, you’ll retire to your accommodation for the evening.

Once you’ve entered Tarangire, you’ll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park’s large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes.

If Lake Manyara National Park
You’ll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, but we’ll pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter’s paradise.

After a brief stop at the village market, you’ll enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa’s most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac breasted roller.

You’ll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night’s rest.

The focus of most safaris in northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is renowned as the arena for the world’s greatest mammal migration. Even away from this iconic wildlife spectacle, the Serengeti’s sheer density of animals makes for incredible wildlife viewing throughout the year. The southern plains near Seronera are the most popular, but it’s also worth exploring the Western Corridor and Mara River regions. We’ll start the day with a picturesque drive towards the Serengeti. During this journey, we’ll traverse the misty rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering a chance to spot Cape buffaloes, baboons, and possibly elephants and leopards hiding in the dense undergrowth. Continuing our journey, we’ll arrive at the Ndutu area in the southern part of Serengeti National Park. Ndutu serves as the traditional calving ground for wildebeest, and during the calving season, it hosts over 1.7 million of these animals as they prepare for their northward migration to Kenya. While on your game drive, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to witness wildebeest and zebra calves taking their first steps, all while predators hunt for the weakest members of the herd. As you explore the stunning Serengeti landscape during your afternoon game drive, you’ll be immersed in the park’s natural beauty. For dinner and overnight stay, you’ll be accommodated in the heart of Serengeti National Park.

You’ll rise before dawn to embark on a captivating sunrise game drive along the shores of Lake Ndutu. As the sun’s first rays illuminate the landscape, you’ll witness a breathtaking sight. This is a prime opportunity for wildlife observation. Next, you’ll journey to Lake Masek, a freshwater lake known for its resident waterbirds and hippos. The surrounding area features abundant undergrowth, attracting elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. Following your time at Lake Masek, you’ll venture into the Serengeti for another exhilarating game drive. In this iconic national park, you’ll have the chance to spot elegant giraffes, agile antelopes, foraging hyenas, sleek cheetahs, elusive leopards, and the majestic lions that have become symbolic of Africa’s wildlife. You can choose to enjoy a picnic lunch and spend the entire day on a game drive or split your day into morning and afternoon sessions, returning to your lodge for lunch in between to refuel and relax.

After breakfast, your journey continues as you depart for the Ngorongoro Crater, a place often regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. As you catch your first glimpse of this expansive, lush caldera from a panoramic viewpoint, its reputation will become evident. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to more than 120 species of mammals, including the iconic Big Five. It ranks among the world’s most coveted safari destinations. Here, you have a unique opportunity to witness the solitary and endangered black rhinoceros as it grazes on the grassy plains. Additionally, you can observe a substantial population of hippopotamuses enjoying the refreshing waters. From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll have the privilege of observing and photographing some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. After an exhilarating day of adventure, you’ll savor a picnic lunch at the park’s renowned hippo pool. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Arusha.