Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
Ndutu Calving Season by Air: Serengeti and Crater
Timed for the newborn herds of the southern plains, with an aerial pass over the crater rim on the way in.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Destinations
- Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar
- Group size
- 1 to 6 guests
- From
- $4,100 per person
Overview
Timed for the newborn herds of the southern plains, with an aerial pass over the crater rim on the way in.
This week is built around one natural event. Between January and March, as many as 8,000 wildebeest calves are born on the southern plains every day, and the predators of the whole ecosystem arrive to meet them: lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs.
You do not start with a long road transfer. A light aircraft takes you from Arusha to the Serengeti, with the flight path crossing straight over the Ngorongoro Crater so the full circle of the caldera unfolds beneath the wing. Two days in the central Serengeti follow, then two nights at Ndutu itself, and a last day down inside Ngorongoro Crater.
- A scenic flight over the Ngorongoro Crater rim
- The Ndutu calving grounds at the height of the season
- Cheetah, lion and hyena working the herds
- Central Serengeti's resident big cats, present all year
- A full day on the crater floor for the Big Five
Best forCouplesSolo travellersWildlife enthusiasts
Wildlife radar
What you can expect to see
January to March, when the calving herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu.
- WildebeestSeasonal
newborn calves, January to March
- CheetahSeasonal
- Spotted hyenaSeasonal
- LionHigh
- Black rhinoRare
- LeopardRare
The difference
The timing is the whole point
Calving is concentrated, dramatic and short. This route puts you in the right place for it, with two nights on the doorstep of the plains at Ndutu instead of a day trip from afar.
Sightings in a natural setting always vary, so what you see will depend on where the herds have moved that week. Your guide reads the movements, and the aircraft saves you hours of driving to the south.
Along the way
Highlights along the way
The air route
Flying over the crater lets you see its near-perfect circle, a world of grassland and lakes held inside an old volcanic rim.
Central Serengeti
Around Seronera, resident lion prides, cheetah and leopard share space with large numbers of zebra and wildebeest.
Ndutu woodland
Beyond the open plains the trees shelter leopards and African wild cats, and the season brings an outburst of birdlife.
Ngorongoro Crater
Its lion prides are among the most closely studied anywhere, and black rhino are seen here more often than in most parks.
On the map
Your route
Follow the trip from the first night to the last, by road and by air.
- Start · Day 1Arusha
- Day 2-3Central SerengetiFlight from Arusha
- Day 4-5NdutuDrive from Central Serengeti
- Day 6KaratuDrive from Ndutu
- End · Day 7Kilimanjaro AirportDrive from Karatu
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and settle into your Arusha hotel. A safari briefing follows over dinner.
- Ridge
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Fly to the Serengeti
Seronera, Central Serengeti
You board a light aircraft in Arusha and fly directly over Ngorongoro Crater, seeing the whole caldera as a perfect bowl in its rim of old lava. You land at the Seronera airstrip and head out on a first afternoon game drive.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
A full day around Seronera
Central Serengeti
A day to cover the central plains. The area is productive all year, with resident prides of lions, cheetah and leopard, plus large groups of zebra and wildebeest.
- Meals
- All meals
Day 4
South to the Ndutu plains
Ndutu, South Serengeti
The drive south brings you to Ndutu, where the Serengeti meets the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From January to March, up to 8,000 wildebeest calves arrive here daily, and cheetahs, lions, hyenas and wild dogs gather around the vulnerable young.
- Ridge
- Masek Tented Lodge
- Meals
- All meals
Day 5
Following the herds at Ndutu
Ndutu, South Serengeti
Another whole day with the herds and the predators trailing them across the short grass. The woodland nearby holds leopards and African wild cats, and the season fills the air with birds.
- Ridge
- Masek Tented Lodge
- Meals
- All meals
Day 6
Descent into Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater / Karatu
You drive to Ngorongoro and spend the day on the crater floor with the Big Five. The lion prides here have been studied for decades, and black rhino turn up regularly. The night is in the town of Karatu.
- Ridge
- Tloma Lodge
- Meals
- All meals
Day 7
Departure
Kilimanjaro International Airport
A drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Gallery
Along the route
Where you stay
Choose your style of stay
Price per person
Choose a level of stay and see what each person pays for your group size.
| Travelling together | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | $4,100 |
- Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room.
- Priced for two travellers sharing. For one traveller, or three or more, we quote on request.
- The Trail price is our published starting rate for this itinerary; Ridge and Summit are indicative estimates for the same route.
- These rates are indicative. We confirm the exact price for your dates and group in your personal quote.
- Park fees are set by the authorities and can change, so the quote you accept is the price that applies.
What's included
- Park entry fees
- Domestic charter flight
- Game drives
- A professional guide
- All meals while on safari
- Accommodation as listed
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Rates are quoted per person on a twin or double share basis. Single supplements are available on request.
- The charter flight needs a minimum of two travellers to operate.
- The route is timed for calving (January to March). Wildlife sightings follow nature and cannot be promised.
- Lodging and rates depend on availability and can shift with your exact dates.
- Entry charges for parks and conservation areas are fixed by the authorities, who can revise them at short notice.
Questions
Good to know
Mainly January to March on the southern plains around Ndutu. This itinerary is designed for that window.
The charter needs at least two travellers to run, so a solo traveller should check with us first.
Predators concentrate around the calving herds, which raises the chances sharply, but wild behaviour can never be guaranteed.
It lets your guide follow the herds across two mornings and two afternoons instead of making a single rushed visit.
Yes. The route passes directly over the Ngorongoro rim before landing at Seronera.
Ndutu Calving Season by Air: Serengeti and Crater
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a personal quote.