Serengeti Calving Season Safari
Predator-prey drama in the southern plains
Your Route
Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater → Southern Serengeti/Ndutu → Arusha
Route Details
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Big Five density in the volcanic caldera before heading to calving grounds.
Highlights
- Crater floor game drive with reliable Big Five
- Black rhino sighting potential
- Dramatic rim scenery
Southern Serengeti / Ndutu
Ndutu Area
The calving epicenter where 8,000+ wildebeest are born daily at peak.
Highlights
- Calving action with predator hunts
- Cheetah and lion hunting on the plains
- Fewer vehicles than crossing season
- Green landscape photography
A Typical Day
Sample from Ngorongoro Crater
5:30–6:30
Early descent into crater
7:00–12:00
Extended game drive on crater floor
12:00–15:00
Picnic lunch at hippo pool
15:00–18:00
Ascend, afternoon at leisure on rim
18:00–21:00
Dinner with crater views
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Travelers prioritizing predator action over river spectacle, photographers seeking clean backgrounds, repeat visitors who have done dry season.
Not ideal for
Those fixated on crossing imagery, first-timers wanting classic dry savannah, travelers uncomfortable with weather uncertainty.
Trade-offs
Like what you see?
We'll customize this route around your preferences
Best Time to Go
Calving Peak
Peak calving activity, high predator concentration
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
9 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Travelers prioritizing predator action over river spectacle, photographers seeking clean backgrounds, repeat visitors who have done dry season.
Why each segment was chosen:
Ngorongoro Crater
Crater floor offers the highest density of wildlife in Africa. One full day is optimal; more time faces diminishing returns.
Southern Serengeti / Ndutu
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Tarangire Extension
Add elephant herds before calving season
Cost Context
$6,000–$12k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking