7-Day Safari · 4 comfort levels
From
$3,185
per person
Indicative price per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle, at Mid-range level. Your written quote confirms the final price.
Our flagship calving safari: the complete migration experience, built around time, positioning and flexibility, with two full days on the Ndutu plains.
Experience one of the most extraordinary chapters of the Great Wildebeest Migration, as huge numbers of wildebeest, zebra and other grazing animals gather across the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti. During the calving season, the plains become a vast nursery, attracting large numbers of lions, cheetahs, hyenas and other predators.
Rather than rushing through several destinations, this safari is designed around time, positioning and flexibility. You experience Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, the Ngorongoro highlands and crater, and then devote multiple days to the Ndutu migration, where the safari's main experience takes place.
The most important nights are spent close to the migration, so you don't have to commute long distances from a lodge far away.
Best months to travel: Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.
From $3,185per person
$455–$555 per day · $3,185–$3,885 for 7 days
A comfortable, well-organised safari with excellent wildlife viewing and good value, without paying for extensive luxury services.
From $5,285per person
$755–$1,200 per day · $5,285–$8,400 for 7 days
Upgraded lodges and premium tented camps with stylish interiors, excellent dining and attentive hospitality, while the safari stays focused on wildlife.
From $9,100per person
$1,300–$2,200 per day · $9,100–$15,400 for 7 days
Exceptional camps and lodges with premium suites, refined cuisine and personal service, chosen for location and exclusivity.
From $16,100per person
$2,300–$5,000 per day · $16,100–$35,000 for 7 days
Created for special celebrations and discerning travellers. Inclusions are tailored to the property and flights you choose, because not every camp offers every service.
These are indicative private-safari planning ranges per person, based on 2 adults sharing one private safari vehicle and a room. They are not confirmed quotations.
Your final cost depends on your travel dates, the number of guests, camp availability, flight fares and the exact services you choose. Ndutu camps can fill early in the calving season, so we confirm your price and accommodation in writing before you pay a deposit.
To request a price for one traveller or a group of three to six, select your group size in the booking box and Ombeni will quote you directly.
Your private vehicle and guide are shared only by your own party, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.
Day 1
Your Tanzanian adventure begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where your Trust Tours & Safaris representative welcomes you and helps with your luggage. You then transfer privately to Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. The drive is about 50 km and takes around an hour, depending on traffic.
Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is yours. Relax, recover from your journey and prepare for the days ahead. Your safari guide will brief you on the route, the wildlife you can expect and what the next day holds.
A warm welcome and a comfortable first evening in Arusha.
Day 2
After breakfast, you leave Arusha for Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife. You enjoy a full game drive through the park.
Depending on the season and wildlife movements, you may see large elephant herds, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impala, lions, leopards, warthogs and numerous bird species. Tarangire gives the journey a completely different ecological experience before you enter the Ngorongoro highlands and migration country.
After your game drive, you continue to your lodge near Karatu.
Elephants, baobabs and general wildlife.
Day 3
This is an important transition day. After an early breakfast, you drive into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the spectacular crater for a game drive.
The crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, with lions, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippos, elephants, hyenas, gazelles, flamingos and other water birds. Black rhino live here too, although sightings are never guaranteed.
After the crater, you continue to Ndutu, crossing the spectacular landscapes of the conservation area and entering the Southern Serengeti ecosystem. This is where the character of the safari changes. The land opens into vast short-grass plains and, depending on the time of year and the rainfall, the migration may already be spread across Ndutu.
From the crater floor to the edge of the calving plains.
Day 4
Wake before sunrise. This is one of the most important mornings of the entire journey. After an early breakfast, you head into the Ndutu plains while wildlife activity is high.
The day is deliberately flexible. Instead of following a rigid sightseeing schedule, your guide watches wildlife activity and adjusts the route to current conditions. You may see enormous concentrations of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles, together with newborn calves and predators.
The calving season is especially interesting because vulnerable young animals attract predators and create dramatic wildlife behaviour. Possible encounters include wildebeest giving birth, newborn calves, lions stalking the herds, cheetahs hunting, hyenas, jackals, leopards and ostriches.
You enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness or return to camp, depending on the wildlife. You continue with afternoon game viewing before dinner at camp.
The heart of the safari.
Day 5
This is what makes the itinerary stronger than a standard seven-day safari. There is no unnecessary park-hopping today. You wake in the migration zone and spend the entire day following the herds.
Your guide decides where to concentrate, based on the latest sightings and road conditions. That flexibility is important, because the migration is a natural event and not a fixed attraction. The herds move with the grass, water and rain, and a full day lets you explore different areas of Ndutu instead of driving between distant destinations.
A second day with the herds, with no park-hopping.
Day 6
After breakfast, you enjoy a final morning game drive around Ndutu before beginning your return journey.
The standard option is to continue by safari vehicle through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon or evening.
If you would rather make the most of your time in the migration zone, you can fly from the Ndutu area to Arusha instead, subject to availability. This turns the day from a long transfer into another meaningful migration morning followed by an efficient flight.
Choose your way home: the scenic road or a flight.
Day 7
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to relax, take a short tour of Arusha, go shopping, enjoy a coffee experience or join a cultural activity.
You are then transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. The safari ends, but the memories continue.
A relaxed morning before your flight home.
Pick your comfort level, then choose a stay for each part of the route. Your choices go with your booking request. Ombeni confirms availability and your final price, and suggests a similar stay if one is full.
Night 1
City hotel
Central Arusha
A modern hotel in the centre of Arusha, an easy first stop after your flight. Air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor pool make it a comfortable place to rest before your safari briefing.
What you can do here
Riverside country inn
Usa River, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport
A small country inn set in mature tropical gardens on the Usa River, about 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport. Shaded paths lead down to the river, which makes it a quiet place to rest after a long flight.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee estate
Coffee estate about 7 km from Arusha
Thatched cottages in tropical gardens on a coffee estate outside Arusha, each with a fireplace and private veranda, with views of Mount Meru.
What you can do here
Four-star city hotel
About 2 km from central Arusha
A comfortable hotel close to the centre of Arusha, with a large outdoor pool beside a landscaped garden.
What you can do here
City hotel in gardens
Near the Clock Tower, central Arusha
A historic hotel in the middle of Arusha, close to the Clock Tower, with a swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
What you can do here
Large garden hotel
Foot of Mount Meru, Arusha
A large hotel set in about 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the foot of Mount Meru, a comfortable base before or after your safari.
What you can do here
Garden lodge
Usa River, near Arusha
A peaceful lodge of rooms, suites and a family cottage spread through gardens at Usa River, between Arusha and the airport.
What you can do here
Quiet country lodge
Near Arusha
A highly rated country lodge near Arusha, with plenty to do for travellers who like to stay active before their safari.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Next to Kilimanjaro International Airport
A simple, country-club-style lodge of thatched cottages right by the airport, ideal for a late arrival or an early flight.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Near Kilimanjaro International Airport
A newer lodge of cosy bungalows among banana and palm trees, well suited to a short stay around an international flight.
What you can do here
Elewana lodge on a working coffee estate
Western edge of Arusha
Set among the coffee fields of a large estate on the western edge of Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. It is a peaceful first stop after a long flight, with gardens to relax in before your evening safari briefing.
What you can do here
Boutique lodge on a coffee estate
Burka Coffee Estate, outside Arusha
An intimate lodge of garden cottages on a working coffee estate, with the former farmhouse at its heart. Winding paths link the cottages to the main house, giving it the feel of a private country home.
What you can do here
Luxury city hotel
Kijenge, Arusha
A large luxury hotel in Arusha, with private balconies, several restaurants and landscaped gardens. It suits travellers who like the facilities of a full-service hotel before heading into the bush.
What you can do here
Lakeside hotel and spa
Lake Duluti, about 20 km from Arusha
Formerly the Lake Duluti Serena, this hotel stands among coffee plantations on the shore of Lake Duluti, with stone-built cottages grouped around a flowery village square.
What you can do here
Boutique hotel
Serengeti Road, Arusha
An elegant boutique hotel of 29 rooms and suites, about 2 km from central Arusha, with a garden and an outdoor pool.
What you can do here
Villas and lodge
Private wildlife estate outside Arusha
A mix of private villas and a small lodge on a private wildlife estate just outside Arusha, a quiet start to your safari.
What you can do here
Private six-bedroom villa
Golf estate, about 25 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport
A luxury six-bedroom villa on a championship golf estate. You can book the whole villa or single rooms, which makes it ideal for families and friends.
What you can do here
Night 2
Garden lodge
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A relaxed lodge set in about eleven acres of gardens in Karatu, the highland farming town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It suits this route well: you arrive after a day in Tarangire and leave early for the crater the next morning.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee farm
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A lodge on a coffee farm in the Karatu highlands, close to the Ngorongoro Crater. The farm also grows vegetables and keeps livestock, which gives the place a warm, rural feel after a day in the park.
What you can do here
Lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
Built into the rim of the crater, with traditional decor and sweeping views over the crater floor. Sleeping on the rim puts you close to the descent road for your morning game drive.
What you can do here
Large lodge on the crater rim
Eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
A large lodge on the quieter eastern rim of the crater, with its rooms set around a central swimming pool. Your Ngorongoro stay here comes with views over the crater floor.
What you can do here
Simple lodge near the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A simple, good-value lodge in the forest close to the crater rim, with 24 en-suite rooms. It puts you close to the crater for much less than the bigger rim lodges.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Ngorongoro Highlands
A mid-range tented camp in the highlands, close to the descent road into the crater, which suits an early start.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee farm
About 20 minutes from Karatu
A lodge on a large coffee farm, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate of the conservation area, with a pool and evening campfires.
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Lodge on a working coffee farm
Edge of Karatu town
A lodge on an active coffee farm at the edge of Karatu, with rooms in private cabins, a pool and a spa.
What you can do here
Mid-range lodge
Karatu
A mid-range lodge of cottages and spacious tents in landscaped gardens, with a pool, a bar and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Mid-range hilltop lodge
Hilltop near Karatu
A comfortable mid-range lodge on a scenic hilltop near Karatu, with a pool, a lounge and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Good-value cottage lodge
Eastern edge of Karatu town
Affordable cottage-style rooms at the edge of Karatu, about 30 minutes from both the crater and Lake Manyara.
What you can do here
Good-value lodge
Karatu
A comfortable and affordable lodge in Karatu, offering a good base for exploring the crater.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge
Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater
A lodge of private cottages at the edge of Karatu, close to the village of Rhotia and about 30 minutes from the Ngorongoro gate. Each cottage has its own veranda, making it a restful stop between Tarangire and the crater.
What you can do here
Colonial-style manor on a coffee estate
Karatu Highlands
An elegant manor house on a large Arabica coffee estate in the Karatu highlands, just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private suites set in cottages around the grounds.
What you can do here
All-inclusive luxury lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands
An all-inclusive lodge of spacious cottages set in lush gardens, a calm base in the highlands for your crater day.
What you can do here
Historic working coffee farm
Near Karatu, on the slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands
A working farm with roots going back to 1929, set among gardens and coffee on the forested slopes below the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private cottages, and much of the food comes from the farm.
What you can do here
Luxury forest lodge
About 15 minutes from Karatu town
A luxury lodge on forested land near Karatu, with secluded cottages that have fireplaces and private decks overlooking the trees.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee plantation
Karatu
A stylish lodge on a working farm and coffee plantation, with rooms and suites spread through park-like gardens around a large pool.
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Farmhouse-style lodge
Karatu, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate
A farmhouse-style lodge of suites on about 40 acres, with views of the Oldeani Mountains and a pool.
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Cottage lodge among coffee plantations
Between Rhotia and Karatu
A lodge of cottages surrounded by coffee plantations and forest, each with a private veranda and a fireplace.
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Colonial-style lodge on a coffee plantation
Karatu highlands
An upper mid-range lodge on a working coffee plantation above Karatu, built in the style of old colonial farms, about 30 minutes from the Lodoare gate.
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Luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A rebuilt lodge on the rim of the crater, reopened in 2023 on the site of one of the first lodges at Ngorongoro.
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Boutique camp of dome tents
Slopes of Olmoti volcano, north of the crater
A small Asilia camp of eight dome-shaped tents, inspired by Maasai homes, on the slopes of Olmoti volcano. Each has a wood-burning stove against the cool highland nights.
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Ultra-luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
One of Africa's most celebrated lodges, with opulent suites on the crater rim and breathtaking views over the crater floor. It is closed for a major rebuild and due to reopen in 2027, so we confirm availability for your dates.
What you can do here
Nights 3, 4 and 5
Mid-range seasonal tented camp
Ndutu, Southern Serengeti ecosystem
A mid-range tented camp on the Ndutu plains, open through the calving season from around December to March. Staying here means you wake up close to the herds, instead of spending the best hours of the morning driving in from the highlands.
What you can do here
Long-established lodge
Lake Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A much-loved lodge of stone-and-thatch cottages overlooking Lake Ndutu, on the edge of the calving plains. Unlike the seasonal camps, it is here all year, with en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda at each cottage.
What you can do here
Seasonal tented bush camp
Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A seasonal mid-range camp that opens for the calving months, with en-suite tents and solar lighting. It is a straightforward bush camp, right where the herds gather.
What you can do here
Seasonal mobile tented camp
Ndutu, Southern Serengeti ecosystem
A small mobile camp of about ten en-suite safari tents, set up in the south for the migration months and taken down after each season. It keeps the true feel of a bush camp.
What you can do here
Luxury tented lodge
Lake Masek, Ndutu area
Comfortable tented suites overlooking Lake Masek, close to Lake Ndutu and well placed for the calving grounds. It feels more solid than a mobile camp, which is a real comfort in the wet months.
What you can do here
Seasonal luxury tented camp
Ndutu, near the Southern Serengeti border
A seasonal luxury camp, open for the migration months from about December to March. It gives you the feeling of a true bush camp, close to the herds, with the comforts of a well-run tented suite.
What you can do here
Luxury tented lodge
Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A lodge of about twenty spacious tents, each raised on a wooden platform under a thatched roof, in the Ndutu area on the migration's path. Unlike the mobile camps, it has a swimming pool and permanent lodge facilities.
What you can do here
Permanent luxury tented camp
Kopjes of the southern Serengeti
A camp of 12 en-suite tents with raised wooden decks, set among rocky kopjes on the southern plains near the migration route. It is well placed for cheetahs.
What you can do here
High-end mobile camp by Asilia
Ndutu, from December to March
An intimate camp of nine tents that moves between the far north and Ndutu to follow the herds. Stargazing tents give wide views from your bed, so the plains stay with you through the night.
What you can do here
Small high-end mobile camp
Ndutu, from December to March
A small mobile camp of just a few canvas tents that moves through the year with the migration, and settles at Ndutu for the calving season.
What you can do here
High-end mobile tented camp
Moves with the migration
A high-end mobile camp that moves through the year to follow the Great Migration. We confirm its position for your dates, so that it suits your time at Ndutu.
What you can do here
Night 6
City hotel
Central Arusha
A modern hotel in the centre of Arusha, an easy first stop after your flight. Air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor pool make it a comfortable place to rest before your safari briefing.
What you can do here
Riverside country inn
Usa River, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport
A small country inn set in mature tropical gardens on the Usa River, about 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport. Shaded paths lead down to the river, which makes it a quiet place to rest after a long flight.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee estate
Coffee estate about 7 km from Arusha
Thatched cottages in tropical gardens on a coffee estate outside Arusha, each with a fireplace and private veranda, with views of Mount Meru.
What you can do here
Four-star city hotel
About 2 km from central Arusha
A comfortable hotel close to the centre of Arusha, with a large outdoor pool beside a landscaped garden.
What you can do here
City hotel in gardens
Near the Clock Tower, central Arusha
A historic hotel in the middle of Arusha, close to the Clock Tower, with a swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
What you can do here
Large garden hotel
Foot of Mount Meru, Arusha
A large hotel set in about 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the foot of Mount Meru, a comfortable base before or after your safari.
What you can do here
Garden lodge
Usa River, near Arusha
A peaceful lodge of rooms, suites and a family cottage spread through gardens at Usa River, between Arusha and the airport.
What you can do here
Quiet country lodge
Near Arusha
A highly rated country lodge near Arusha, with plenty to do for travellers who like to stay active before their safari.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Next to Kilimanjaro International Airport
A simple, country-club-style lodge of thatched cottages right by the airport, ideal for a late arrival or an early flight.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Near Kilimanjaro International Airport
A newer lodge of cosy bungalows among banana and palm trees, well suited to a short stay around an international flight.
What you can do here
Elewana lodge on a working coffee estate
Western edge of Arusha
Set among the coffee fields of a large estate on the western edge of Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. It is a peaceful first stop after a long flight, with gardens to relax in before your evening safari briefing.
What you can do here
Boutique lodge on a coffee estate
Burka Coffee Estate, outside Arusha
An intimate lodge of garden cottages on a working coffee estate, with the former farmhouse at its heart. Winding paths link the cottages to the main house, giving it the feel of a private country home.
What you can do here
Luxury city hotel
Kijenge, Arusha
A large luxury hotel in Arusha, with private balconies, several restaurants and landscaped gardens. It suits travellers who like the facilities of a full-service hotel before heading into the bush.
What you can do here
Lakeside hotel and spa
Lake Duluti, about 20 km from Arusha
Formerly the Lake Duluti Serena, this hotel stands among coffee plantations on the shore of Lake Duluti, with stone-built cottages grouped around a flowery village square.
What you can do here
Boutique hotel
Serengeti Road, Arusha
An elegant boutique hotel of 29 rooms and suites, about 2 km from central Arusha, with a garden and an outdoor pool.
What you can do here
Villas and lodge
Private wildlife estate outside Arusha
A mix of private villas and a small lodge on a private wildlife estate just outside Arusha, a quiet start to your safari.
What you can do here
Private six-bedroom villa
Golf estate, about 25 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport
A luxury six-bedroom villa on a championship golf estate. You can book the whole villa or single rooms, which makes it ideal for families and friends.
What you can do here
December to March is the overall Ndutu season, with January and February the prime calving window. Here is what normally happens in each month.
| Month | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December | The migration begins gathering. The herds generally start concentrating in the south as the short rains bring fresh grass. |
| January | Calving begins. More wildebeest arrive and the first births take place. |
| February | Peak calving. Normally the core month, with huge concentrations of wildebeest, newborn calves and strong predator activity. |
| March | Late calving and transition. Newborn and predator sightings can still be excellent, especially early in the month, but the herds may begin moving north and west. |
Ndutu camps can fill early in the calving season, so we recommend confirming as early as you can. To receive an accurate quotation, tell us your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred comfort level, room-sharing arrangements and whether you will arrive at JRO, ARK or an Arusha hotel.
Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.
Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.
Where to go, when to travel, what a day looks like and what it costs — everything you need to plan a northern Tanzania safari.
Read guide →Safari · 8 min readA month-by-month guide to the wildebeest migration — calving in the south, the Mara River crossings in the north, and everything in between.
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Read guide →Ready to go?
Indicative price per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle, at Mid-range level. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$3,185
per person
