5 Days Immersive Ndutu Safari
Witness the Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater – Calving Season Adventure
Overview – The Calving Season Safari of a Lifetime
Embark on an unforgettable 5-day immersive safari through Tanzania’s most breathtaking ecosystems — the Ndutu plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
This journey follows the rhythm of nature as over a million wildebeests and zebras gather in the southern Serengeti to give birth, drawing lions, cheetahs, and hyenas to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.
From February to early March, the Ndutu Region becomes the nursery of the Great Migration — thousands of newborn calves take their first steps, surrounded by vibrant predators and the golden light of the savanna.
After experiencing this raw display of life, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — home to Africa’s Big Five and a sanctuary for over 25,000 animals.
Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or a first-time explorer, this 5 Days Immersive Ndutu Safari delivers close encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and intimate moments that connect you to the wild heart of Tanzania.
5-Day Tanzania Safari at a Glance
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destinations: Ndutu Region (Southern Serengeti) & Ngorongoro Crater
Start/End: Arusha
Transport: Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Type: Private or small-group safari
Best Time: December – March (Calving Season)
Accommodation: Luxury lodges or tented camps
Safari Itinerary –5 Days Tanzania Immersive Ndutu Safari
Day 1: Arusha – Ndutu Region (Southern Serengeti)
Your Ndutu adventure begins after breakfast when your Annest Kenya safaris professional guide picks you up from your hotel in Arusha. Journey across the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands, pausing for photos at the rim of the crater before continuing into the Ndutu area.
This region, located between the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro, is where the Great Migration herds gather to calve, transforming the plains into a wildlife wonderland.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive among acacia woodlands and open plains where you can spot cheetahs on the hunt, elephants, and newborn wildebeest calves wobbling on their feet.
As the golden sun sets, arrive at your camp nestled in the heart of Ndutu — your base for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge / Serengeti Heritage Camp Ndutu / Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Full Day in Ndutu – The Great Migration Calving Season
Wake up early to the sound of the wild and set out on a full-day game drive in the Ndutu plains. This is where nature’s greatest miracle unfolds — thousands of wildebeests giving birth almost simultaneously across the short-grass plains.
Witness predators like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards in action, capitalizing on the abundance of vulnerable young prey. Your guide positions you strategically to capture the drama and tenderness of this incredible cycle of life.
Break for a picnic lunch beneath an acacia tree, then continue exploring the lakes of Ndutu, home to flamingos, pelicans, and migratory birds.
Optional: Visit Lake Ndutu and Shamba ya Ndovu, where elephants gather and giraffes graze gracefully on the horizon.
Return to your camp at sunset for a relaxing dinner and storytelling around the fire — the quintessential safari evening.
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge / Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ndutu – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive through the Ndutu woodlands before heading north to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Drive along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, pausing to admire its breathtaking panorama before descending to your lodge for the night. Along the way, you may encounter Maasai herders grazing their cattle alongside zebras — a rare coexistence between people and wildlife.
In the evening, unwind at your lodge with sweeping crater views and prepare for tomorrow’s descent into one of the natural wonders of Africa.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Rhino Lodge / Lions Paw Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Exploration
Rise early to descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a world-renowned wildlife sanctuary teeming with over 25,000 animals.
This is one of the few places where you can spot all of Africa’s Big Five — lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and black rhinos — in a single day. The crater floor is also home to flamingos, hippos, warthogs, and spotted hyenas, offering unmatched photographic opportunities.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, surrounded by grazing animals and serene views. In the afternoon, ascend back to the crater rim and drive to your lodge, where a warm Tanzanian dinner awaits.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lions Paw Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Ngorongoro – Arusha
After breakfast, bid farewell to the highlands and return to Arusha, passing through beautiful landscapes and rural villages.
Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel or the airport — your heart full of memories and your camera full of breathtaking photos.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
5 Days Immersive Ndutu Safari -What's Included
Courtesy Pick up / Drop off Arusha Airport Courtesy Pick up / Drop off at Arusha Hotel or Residence
Transport in a customized pop up top 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep.
Services of an experienced English/ other language speaking safari tour guide/driver.
4 nights full-board lodge/camp stay
Park entrance fees to Masai Mara NR
All meals on safari Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle
The flying doctors’ emergency medical evacuation/ rescue insurance cover.
What's Excluded
- Bottled & Soft Drinks - Items and services of a personal nature - Tips & Gratuities.
5 Days Tanzania Immersive Ndutu Safari Highlights
Witness the Great Migration Calving Season (Dec–Mar) in Ndutu
Experience the Big Five at Ngorongoro Crater
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep – every seat is a window seat
Professional naturalist driver-guides
Handpicked luxury or midrange accommodations
Seamless logistics from Arusha to Arusha
Recommended Luxury Lodges
Ndutu Region: Lake Masek Tented Lodge / Ndutu Safari Lodge / Sanctuary Kusini Camp
Ngorongoro: Lions Paw Camp / Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / The Highlands Ngorongoro
Best Time to Visit 5days Ndutu
December to March: Calving season, best for witnessing the Great Migration and predator activity
April to June: Green season, fewer tourists, stunning landscapes
July to November: Dry season, wildlife concentrated near water sources
Why Choose Annest Kenya Safaris
Locally Owned & Operated – True East African expertise and personalized care
Fly & Drive Options – Maximize your safari time and minimize travel fatigue
Luxury & Comfort – Handpicked lodges that blend elegance with wilderness charm
Cross-Border Specialists – Combine Kenya & Tanzania seamlessly
💬 24/7 Guest Support – From booking to departure, we’ve got you covered
FAQs – 5 Days Immersive Ndutu Safari
It’s the only time of year when over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in just a few weeks — attracting predators and creating unmatched photographic opportunities.
Yes! Families love this itinerary because it’s easy-paced, with short drives and child-friendly lodges.
All safaris are conducted in private 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for photography and comfort.
Absolutely! Add 3–5 days of relaxation on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches after your adventure.
January and February are peak months for calving and predator action.
