6 DAY NDUTU MIGRATION CALVIN SERENGETI NGORONGORO CRATER
Every year, the vast herds of wildebeest embark on a long-distance migration that coincides with the annual rainfall patterns and grass growth. Following the short rainy season in November, the herds of wildebeest arrive at the short-grass plains of the Serengeti around November. The short-grass plains are located in the area east and south of the Seronera, around Ndutu and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation area. Herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen across these plains as they feed on the nutrient-rich grasses. The majority of the wildebeest calve around February. They normally stay in the area till April and then start moving west towards to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park 6 Day Ndutu Migration Calvin Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater
Day 1:ARUSHA TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
The first day of your safari will begin at 8 AM in the morning with a pick up from your hotel at Arusha. Once everyone is aboard, you will head towards Tarangire National Park. The 150 Km drive will be covered in about 3hrs.
The national park is extremely famous and special for its diverse landscape and nine different vegetation zones. As you begin your game drive, you will be welcomed by the ancient and gigantic Baobab trees, which make even animals like the giraffe look tiny.
The game drive goes on till about late afternoon and includes a small stop for a picnic lunch. The 3,000 sq Kms park gets its name from the Tarangire River that flows through it. The river attracts a lot of diverse animals and you should be able to spot a lot of elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes and zebra.
If it’s your lucky day, you might be able to spot the tree-climbing python and the long-necked Gerek. The Tarangire National Park has the highest concentration of elephants, which offers a unique chance for you to observe interactions between elephant families.
Don’t forget to capture this beautiful scenery with your camera ready at hand. Post the game drive, you will head back to your camp/lodge where a delicious dinner awaits you. Have a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s adventure.
DAY 2: DRIVE TO NDUTU AREA
You will kickstart your day after a delicious breakfast, by about 8 AM. The destination for today is the Ndutu region which is a 3hr drive from your accommodation in Karatu.
After about an hour commencing the drive, you will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) where you will notice the landscape changing from hilly forests to plain and green grasslands as you drive further.
Once you reach Ndutu you will begin your day game drive with a convenient stop for your picnic lunch. Sweeping grasslands of the Ndutu cover the region which gradually fades into the Serengeti.
Ndutu forms a part of the route for the annual migration of more than 2 million wildebeests and thousands of zebra, antelope and gazelle. During game drives at the right season between December and April, you will be able to see the fertile plains turn into calving grounds and nurseries for the great migration.
The calving season attracts hordes of predators prying on vulnerable young wildebeest. Crested with Ndutu Lake and Lake Masek, these waterholes offer plenty of wildlife game during the dry season.
The Ndutu is also the home ground for 6 species of big cats – leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval and wildcat. The action-packed game drive will end late in the evening by around 5 PM.
You will now head towards your choice of accommodation, where a freshly prepared dinner awaits you. Ensure you get some good rest and recharge yourself for another eventful day. Overnight at Ndutu Tented Camp
DAY 3: FULL DAY GAME VIEW IN NDUTU
Stunned by the previous days spotting of the migration, today you get another chance to view the beautiful wildlife spectacle. The Ndutu region is a part of the glorious Serengeti National Park as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).
Heading out for a full day game drive after breakfast, today you will be following the migration depending on its location in either NCA or Serengeti. During game drives at the right season between December and April, you will be able to see the fertile plains turn into calving grounds and nurseries for the great migration.
This season attracts hordes of predators prying on vulnerable young wildebeest. Watching the circle of life take its course will be an unforgettable experience etched for life.
The action-packed game drive will end late in the evening by around 5 PM. You will now head towards your choice of accommodation, where a freshly prepared dinner awaits you. Ensure you get some good rest and recharge yourself for another eventful day. Overnight at Ndutu Tented Camp
Day 4:NDUTU TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The excitement for today will be quite high as you make your way into the most celebrated wildlife park in the world – The Serengeti. After finishing up a good breakfast, you will head out towards the Serengeti National Park and travel in the midst of the never-ending plain grasslands.
Serengeti means endless plains in the local African language and watching the grassland stretch out as far as the eye can see and eventually merging with the sky at the horizon is an absolutely breathtaking view.
With an overall land area of 14,763 sq Kms, It puts our notion about the distance to shame. The Serengeti also houses the glorious “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). Along with the “Big 5”, a very pleasant sighting would be one of Africa’s most beautiful animals – The Impala.
The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa. You must also look out for the Serengeti “Kopjes” which are massive boulders of granite standing in a sea of grass. They provide ample shelter to a large variety of flora and fauna.
A picnic lunch will be during the day-long game drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night at Serengeti tortillas camp
Day 5: SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO CRATER
In the morning, at 7 am, you will head out for a short game drive in the Serengeti after a good breakfast. After completing a half-day game drive along with a picnic lunch. We will branch out and head towards the Ngorongoro crater rim.
The 75km drive to Ngorongoro Crater rim will take about 2.5 hrs, with mild game action to see on the way. The crater is one of Africa’s impressive geological attractions and supreme mecca of wilderness.
The day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good rest in your choice of accommodation. Get a good rest and refuel yourself, for the following day you will descend into the massive crater. Overnight at Ngorongoro tortillas camp
Day 6: NGORONGORO TO ARUSHA
Moreover, on this day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast you will make an early descend at around 6:30 am into the crater floor.
The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq km with a depth of over 2000 feet. The 5-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is definitely recommended.
The African elephant, buffalo, Black rhino, Hippos, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions you can find in plenty.
This is the last leg of your safari, with a 4hr drive left to Arusha. You will be dropped off at your preferred location at Arusha by 6 PM in the evening. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you bid goodbye to your team.
End of our 6 Day Ndutu Migration Calvin Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater
