9-Day Safari · 4 comfort levels
From
$4,095
per person
Indicative price per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle, at Mid-range level. Your written quote confirms the final price.
A varied, unhurried nine days: a walking safari and canoeing in Arusha National Park, Tarangire's elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Ndutu plains and Central Serengeti's big cats.
This safari begins straight away, with no separate arrival day. You start in Arusha National Park, with a guided walking safari alongside an authorised armed ranger and a canoeing excursion beneath Mount Meru.
You then explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephant herds and magnificent baobabs, before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most remarkable natural landscapes in Africa.
The journey continues to Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti, where you spend dedicated time searching for the migrating wildebeest and zebras. Several nights in Central Serengeti follow, an outstanding area for lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants.
The aim is a safari that feels varied, unhurried and genuinely memorable, with enough time in the key wildlife areas rather than simply travelling from one place to the next.
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 $4,095per person
$455–$555 per day · $4,095–$4,995 for 9 days
A comfortable, well-organised safari with excellent wildlife viewing and good value, without paying for extensive luxury services.
From $6,795per person
$755–$1,200 per day · $6,795–$10,800 for 9 days
Upgraded lodges and premium tented camps with stylish interiors, excellent dining and attentive hospitality, while the safari stays focused on wildlife.
From $11,700per person
$1,300–$2,200 per day · $11,700–$19,800 for 9 days
Exceptional camps and lodges with premium suites, refined cuisine and personal service, chosen for location and exclusivity.
From $20,700per person
$2,300–$5,000 per day · $20,700–$45,000 for 9 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
After breakfast, your guide drives you to Arusha National Park, a beautiful wilderness beneath Mount Meru. Unlike a safari spent entirely in a vehicle, today lets you experience the landscape on foot and from the water.
In the morning, you enjoy a guided walking safari with an authorised armed park ranger. As you walk through forest and open areas, your ranger explains the plants, animal tracks, birdlife and wildlife behaviour.
After lunch, you go to the Momella Lakes area for a canoeing excursion, subject to park arrangements and the weather. From the water, you can admire the peaceful scenery and watch waterbirds, with Mount Meru as a spectacular backdrop when the weather is clear.
Later, you continue exploring the park by vehicle, then return to Arusha to relax and prepare for the safari ahead.
Tanzania's wildlife on foot, from a canoe and by vehicle.
Day 2
After breakfast, you leave Arusha for Tarangire National Park and a full day of wildlife exploring. Your guide follows wildlife-viewing tracks in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas and other animals. Tarangire is especially rewarding for watching elephant families feeding, moving between trees and gathering together.
Around midday, you stop at a designated picnic site. In the afternoon, you continue through different parts of the park, among ancient baobabs, acacia woodland and open grassland.
Late in the afternoon, you leave Tarangire and continue to Karatu to relax and prepare for the crater.
A full day in one of Tanzania's most distinctive elephant habitats.
Day 3
After an early breakfast, you travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you approach the crater rim, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with sweeping views across the huge volcanic caldera.
You descend for an extensive game drive through grassland, woodland and wetlands. Your guide will search for zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, hippos and lions, while keeping an eye out for the endangered black rhino. You stop at a designated picnic area, and continue learning about the area's ecology and conservation.
Afterwards, you climb to the rim and continue to Ndutu in the Southern Serengeti ecosystem, ready for the days of migration ahead.
The crater's scenery and wildlife, then the southern plains.
Day 4
After breakfast, you set out for a full day of wildlife viewing across the Ndutu plains. The region is an important part of the Great Wildebeest Migration route, and the herds move through the wider ecosystem with the seasonal rain and fresh grazing.
Your guide will search for concentrations of wildebeest and zebras, and for predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas. The open landscape is wonderful for photographing large herds stretching across the horizon, especially in the early sunlight.
Around midday, you stop for a picnic lunch, then plan the afternoon around current wildlife reports, road conditions and the location of the herds. Sleeping in this area means you can start the next day without travelling from a distant base.
A whole day dedicated to the southern plains.
Day 5
Today is dedicated to exploring Ndutu at a relaxed pace. Rather than leaving after one game drive, you have a second full day to visit different areas and respond to changing wildlife movements.
You may see large herds of wildebeest and zebras, gazelles grazing in the grass, giraffes moving through the landscape, and predators resting or hunting. During the early-year calving period, this region can be especially rewarding for watching newborn wildebeest and their mothers.
After a picnic lunch, your guide adjusts the route to recent sightings, the weather and road conditions, so you can spend more time where wildlife activity is strongest.
More time to search for the herds, without rushing.
Day 6
After breakfast, you leave Ndutu for Central Serengeti, moving through open grasslands, scattered acacia trees and the rocky outcrops known as kopjes.
Where permitted and practical, your guide adds wildlife viewing along the route, looking for zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, antelope and predators. You stop for a picnic lunch at a suitable site.
As you approach the Seronera area, the habitats change, with new chances to search for resident lions, elephants and leopards. You explore selected wildlife areas in the afternoon before reaching camp.
From the migration plains into the heart of the Serengeti.
Day 7
You leave after breakfast for a full day of game viewing in Central Serengeti, particularly around the Seronera ecosystem, known for its diverse habitats and resident wildlife.
During the morning, your guide looks for lions resting or moving across the plains, cheetahs scanning open grassland and leopards in suitable woodland. You may also meet elephants, giraffes and zebras. Along the way, you learn about animal behaviour and predator-prey relationships.
After a picnic lunch, you can spend more time searching for big cats, exploring rocky kopjes or watching herds of elephants, depending on your interests and the day's sightings.
A full day in one of the Serengeti's most rewarding regions.
Day 8
Today gives you another full day in Central Serengeti, with no long transfer to think about. You set out with your guide to explore areas chosen around recent wildlife activity, your interests and the conditions.
The morning may focus on predators, following reports of lion activity, or exploring open plains where zebras, wildebeest and gazelles are grazing. After a picnic lunch, the extra day gives your guide the freedom to return to promising areas and allow more time at interesting sightings.
In the evening, there is time to reflect on the contrasts of your journey, from Arusha National Park's forest and lakes to Tarangire's baobabs, Ngorongoro's volcanic scenery and Ndutu's migration plains.
More time in the Serengeti, at a comfortable pace.
Day 9
After breakfast, you enjoy a final morning game drive, depending on your flight time. This is your last chance to photograph wildlife and enjoy the peaceful plains. Your guide plans the timing carefully, so that you reach the airstrip on time.
You then board your scheduled flight from the Serengeti to Arusha, subject to airline availability. Travelling by air avoids a long overland journey. On arrival in Arusha, you continue with your onward travel plans, or transfer to extra accommodation if you have requested another night.
A last look at the Serengeti before flying back to Arusha.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mid-range lodge
Karatu
A mid-range lodge of cottages and spacious tents in landscaped gardens, with a pool, a bar and a restaurant.
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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.
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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.
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Good-value lodge
Karatu
A comfortable and affordable lodge in Karatu, offering a good base for exploring the crater.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nights 6, 7 and 8
Small tented camp
Seronera, Central Serengeti
A small tented camp in the Seronera area, in the heart of the Serengeti and close to the airstrip. That makes it a practical last night on this route, with time for a final game drive before you fly back to Arusha.
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Mid-range tented camp
Central Serengeti
A comfortable tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti, well placed for game drives in the central park.
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Hillside tented lodge
Central Serengeti
Spacious tents raised on wooden platforms on a ridge overlooking the central plains, about half an hour from Seronera. It is a comfortable base for the Seronera Valley, with big views from the camp.
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Hilltop lodge
Central Serengeti
A lodge perched on a hill above the plains, blending African architecture with modern comfort, with a swimming pool and wide views.
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Classic park lodge
Heart of the Serengeti
A classic lodge in the heart of the park, built around a rocky outcrop.
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Tented lodge
Central Serengeti, about 24 km from Seronera Airstrip
A safari-tented lodge in Central Serengeti, a comfortable base for game drives around Seronera.
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Tented camp
Makoma Hill, Central Serengeti
A tented camp at the foot of Makoma Hill, south-west of Seronera, about 45 minutes from the airstrip.
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Luxury tented suites
Eastern Serengeti
A boutique camp of canvas suites in the eastern Serengeti, each with a private deck and plunge pool. The area is known for excellent predator viewing, particularly cheetah.
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Tented camp
Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti
A tented camp in a secluded part of the Seronera Valley, one of the Serengeti's best areas for big cats.
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Upscale safari lodge
Nyaburo Hills, Serengeti
A large new lodge on the Nyaburo Hills, built on the site of the former Serengeti Sopa Lodge, with rooms and suites overlooking the plains.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge
Nyamuma Hills, above the Mbalageti valley
A luxury lodge of 50 rooms overlooking the Mbalageti River valley, with a pool facing the park, under an hour from Seronera Airstrip.
What you can do here
Small semi-permanent camp by Asilia
Just north of the Moru Kopjes
A small camp of eight luxury en-suite tents in a lesser-visited part of the Serengeti, with easy access to Seronera and the southern plains.
What you can do here
Classic 1930s-style camp
Moru Kopjes, south-central Serengeti
A camp of 12 tents on a kopje overlooking the Moru Kopjes and Lake Magadi, inspired by the mobile safari camps of the 1930s.
What you can do here
High-end safari lodge
Central Serengeti
A high-end lodge in the central Serengeti with luxurious suites, an infinity pool, a spa and excellent service, close to prime wildlife areas.
What you can do here
The Serengeti is famous for the Great Migration, but it is also home to resident wildlife that makes game drives rewarding all year. Pairing Ndutu with Central Serengeti means you see both sides: the herds on the southern plains, and the predators of the Seronera area.
By the end, you will have experienced several very different sides of Tanzania, from a ranger-guided walk and a canoe trip to elephant-filled savannah, an extraordinary volcanic crater, seasonal migration plains and predator-rich grassland.
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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Indicative price per person for 2 adults sharing a private vehicle, at Mid-range level. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$4,095
per person
