6 Day Calving Season Safari Experience

Tour Overview

This exceptional 6 days Tanzania wildlife safari designed by NK Safaris Arusha Tanzania offers travelers a deeply immersive journey into Northern Tanzania’s most iconic and wildlife rich destinations. Carefully curated for guests seeking authentic safari experiences, this itinerary blends dramatic landscapes, world class wildlife viewing, and meaningful time spent inside prime conservation areas. The safari is ideal for travelers visiting Tanzania for the first time as well as repeat visitors who want to explore the famous Ndutu region during the Great Migration season while still enjoying classic parks like Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The journey begins and ends in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, and follows a smooth circular route through Tarangire National Park, the Ndutu area within the Ngorongoro Conservation ecosystem, and the Ngorongoro highlands. This itinerary is particularly rewarding between December and March when millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather in the Ndutu plains for calving season, attracting large numbers of predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. However, the safari remains outstanding year round due to the permanent wildlife populations and diverse habitats found along the route.

Guests traveling with NK Safaris benefit from professional safari guides with extensive local knowledge, carefully selected accommodations close to wildlife areas, and well paced daily drives that maximize game viewing while minimizing fatigue. The itinerary allows enough time in each destination to truly experience the landscape, wildlife behavior, and atmosphere rather than rushing through multiple parks. From giant baobab trees and massive elephant herds in Tarangire to endless open plains in Ndutu and breathtaking volcanic scenery in Ngorongoro, this safari showcases Tanzania at its very best.

This tour is suitable for couples, families, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts who value quality guiding, comfort, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Every day is planned with attention to detail, ensuring smooth transitions, rewarding game drives, and time to relax and absorb the beauty of Tanzania’s natural heritage.

Day To Day

Day 1

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, guests are warmly welcomed by a professional NK Safaris driver guide and transferred to Arusha town. The airport is located approximately 55 kilometers from Arusha, and the drive takes about one hour depending on traffic. Along the way, travelers enjoy scenic views of Mount Meru, local villages, and coffee plantations that characterize this vibrant region.

After arrival at the lodge or hotel in Arusha, guests have time to relax after their international flight, enjoy a welcome briefing about the safari, and prepare for the adventure ahead. Arusha sits at the heart of Northern Tanzania’s safari circuit and offers a calm introduction to the country before entering the national parks. Dinner and overnight are arranged at a carefully selected accommodation offering comfort, warm hospitality, and beautiful surroundings.

Main activities
Airport pickup and transfer to Arusha
Safari briefing and relaxation

Optional extra activities
Arusha city tour
Coffee plantation visit
Cultural village visit

Suggested Accommodations

Ritzy Acardia Cottages
Forest Hill Hotel
Gran Melia Arusha

Day 2

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, the safari departs Arusha for Tarangire National Park, located approximately 120 kilometers away, with a driving time of about 2 to 2.5 hours. This scenic drive passes through Maasai villages and open savannah landscapes before entering one of Tanzania’s most underrated yet wildlife rich parks.

Tarangire National Park is famous for its large elephant population, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River, which acts as a lifeline for wildlife especially during the dry season. The park covers an area of about 2,850 square kilometers and hosts a remarkable diversity of animals including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, and over 500 bird species.

Guests enjoy an extensive full day game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park, allowing for uninterrupted wildlife viewing. The varied habitats ranging from riverine forests to open plains make Tarangire an excellent location for photography and wildlife observation. Late afternoon, you will be driven by your Driver Guide to the Accommodation of your Preference for Overnight inside the park.

Main activities
Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park
Picnic lunch inside the park

Optional extra activities
Walking safari outside the park
Bird watching focused excursions

Suggested Accommodations

Conserve Safari Tarangire Camp
Tarangire Safari Lodge
Elewana Tarangire Treetops

Day 3

Drive to Ndutu Area

After breakfast, the safari continues toward the Ndutu area, located in the southern part of the Serengeti ecosystem and within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive from Tarangire to Ndutu covers approximately 150 kilometers and takes about 4 to 5 hours, including scenic stops and wildlife sightings along the way.

Ndutu is renowned for its vast open plains, seasonal lakes, and exceptional wildlife concentrations, especially during the Great Migration calving season. Unlike national parks, Ndutu allows off road driving, offering greater flexibility for tracking animals and observing predator interactions up close.

During the afternoon, guests enjoy a game drive en route to the lodge, with chances to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, and large herds of grazing animals. The landscape here is wide and open, providing incredible visibility and dramatic safari moments. The day ends with dinner and overnight in the Ndutu area, surrounded by nature.

Main activities
Game drive en route to Ndutu
Wildlife viewing in the Ndutu plains

Optional extra activities
Sundowner experience
Nature photography sessions

Suggested Accommodations

Ndutu Safari Lodge
Nyumbu Luxury Camp
Lake Masek Tented Lodge

Day 4

Full Day Ndutu Exploration

This day is dedicated to a full day of wildlife exploration in Ndutu, one of the most exciting safari regions in Tanzania. After an early breakfast, guests depart for extended game drives covering both the grass plains and woodland areas surrounding Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek.

Ndutu is particularly famous for hosting massive herds of wildebeest and zebras during migration months, as well as frequent sightings of big cats. Lions are commonly seen resting under acacia trees, while cheetahs use the open plains to hunt during daylight hours. Leopards, hyenas, jackals, and a wide variety of birdlife are also present.

The flexibility of off road driving allows guides to follow animal movements closely, offering unmatched viewing opportunities. Guests enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing the afternoon game drive. This day provides exceptional chances for photography, predator action, and understanding animal behavior in a natural, unrestricted environment.

Main activities
Full day game drives in Ndutu
Picnic lunch in the wilderness

Optional extra activities
Hot air balloon safari
Professional wildlife photography guidance

Suggested Accommodations

Ndutu Safari Lodge
Nyumbu Luxury Camp
Lake Masek Tented Lodge

Day 5

Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, the safari heads toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands, a short drive of approximately 90 kilometers taking about 2 to 3 hours. The route passes through rolling landscapes, Maasai grazing lands, and volcanic terrain.

Ngorongoro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most important conservation areas. While this day focuses on travel and exploration of the highlands rather than descending into the crater, guests enjoy scenic viewpoints, cooler temperatures, and rich cultural surroundings. Wildlife sightings are still possible along the way, including buffaloes, elephants, and antelope species.

The afternoon is spent at leisure at the lodge, allowing guests to relax, enjoy panoramic views, and prepare for departure the following day.

Main activities
Scenic drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Leisure time at the lodge

Optional extra activities
Maasai village visit
Nature walk near the lodge

Suggested Accommodations

Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp
Ngorongoro Lions Paw
Ngorongoro Lodge by Meliá

Day 6

Drive Back to Arusha for Departure

After breakfast, the safari concludes with a drive back to Arusha, covering approximately 190 kilometers in about 4 to 5 hours. Guests are transferred either to Arusha town, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or Arusha Airport depending on their onward travel plans.

This marks the end of an unforgettable Tanzania safari experience with NK Safaris, leaving guests with lasting memories of remarkable wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and warm Tanzanian hospitality.

At NK Safaris, we believe every safari should be as unique as the traveler experiencing it. Our journeys are thoughtfully designed with flexibility at their core, allowing us to craft tailor made itineraries that match your interests, travel style, and preferred pace. From the very first conversation, our experienced safari specialists work closely with you to understand your vision and transform it into a seamless and unforgettable adventure across Tanzania. This is more than a holiday, it is your personal safari story, carefully curated, expertly guided, and delivered with passion, authenticity, and attention to every detail.

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