Wildebeest Calving Season Safari Overview This privately guided 15-day cross-border safari is expertly crafted to follow East Africa’s most celebrated wildlife corridor at the height of the Great Migration season. Beginning in Tanzania and concluding in Kenya, the journey prioritizes prime wildlife areas, smooth logistics, and a relaxed pace. Carefully designed to minimize long driving days and avoid route backtracking, the itinerary blends iconic national parks with lesser-visited reserves for a balanced, immersive experience. From the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire and the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater, through the legendary Serengeti and its remote northern reaches along the Mara River, to the open savannahs of Kenya’s Masai Mara, you will follow the herds and predators through some of Africa’s greatest ecosystems. Detailed Itinerary Arrival You will be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged at an extra cost. Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide. A private transfer takes you to your lodge in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari hub. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest and recovery after your international flight, with a full safari briefing provided at the lodge. Overnight in Arusha. Main Destination: Arusha (City, Tanzania) Accommodation: Zawadi House Lodge – Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City, Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) | Drinks not included Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its vast elephant populations, iconic baobab trees, and a seasonal river that draws abundant wildlife. Enjoy a full afternoon game drive, observing giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, and diverse birdlife. Overnight in the Tarangire area. Main Destination: Tarangire National Park (Tanzania) Best Time To Visit: July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River) High Season: June to October (The park is full of visitors) Best Weather: June to October (Little rainfall) Wildlife in Tarangire NP: Elephant (Abundant), Giraffe (Common), Lion (Common), Buffalo (Abundant), Zebra (Abundant), Wildebeest (Abundant) – and more Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge – Mid-range tented camp located inside Tarangire NP (Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands Begin the day with a relaxed morning before departing Tarangire and driving through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The afternoon is spent at leisure, enjoying cooler highland temperatures and panoramic views from the crater rim or surrounding highlands. Overnight in the Ngorongoro area.Main Destination: Ngorongoro Highlands (Tanzania) Accommodation: Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp – Mid-range tented camp located less than 1 hour’s drive from Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Safari An early start sees you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most wildlife-dense ecosystems. Spend the day exploring the crater floor, home to black rhinos, large lion prides, elephants, hippos, and flamingos. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before ascending in the late afternoon. Overnight in the Ngorongoro area. Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) Best Time To Visit: June to October (Wildlife viewing is best) High Season: Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds) Best Weather: June to October (Rainfall is little to none) Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater: Black Rhino (Common), Lion (Common), Buffalo (Abundant), Zebra (Abundant), Wildebeest (Abundant), Hyena (Abundant) – and more Accommodation: Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp – Mid-range tented camp located less than 1 hour’s drive from Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 5: Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti National Park Depart Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive into the legendary Serengeti National Park. Game viewing begins immediately upon entry, with the route leading to the Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley), an area renowned for year-round wildlife and predator activity. Overnight in Central Serengeti. Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) Best Time To Visit: January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times) High Season: July to March (The Seronera area is crowded) Best Weather: June to October (Little to no rainfall) Wildlife in Serengeti NP: Elephant (Common), Lion (Common), Cheetah (Common), Buffalo (Abundant), Zebra (Abundant), Wildebeest (Abundant) – and more Accommodation: Shuhudia Adventure Camp – Mid-range tented bush camp located inside Central Serengeti NP (Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 6: Central Serengeti National Park Full-Day Safari Spend a full day exploring Central Serengeti, focusing on river systems and open plains where lions, leopards, cheetahs, and large herbivore herds are commonly seen. The day is paced to allow both intensive game viewing and time to relax at camp between drives. Overnight in Central Serengeti. Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) Accommodation: Shuhudia Adventure Camp – Mid-range tented bush camp located inside Central Serengeti NP (Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 7: Central Serengeti to Pololeti Game Reserve (Northern Serengeti) After breakfast, depart Central Serengeti and travel into the Pololeti Game Reserve, a remote and lightly visited conservation area bordering the Serengeti ecosystem. The route passes through changing landscapes and wildlife corridors, with opportunities for en-route sightings. Afternoon game viewing in Pololeti offers a quieter, more exclusive safari experience with fewer vehicles and excellent chances to see elephants, big cats, and plains game. Overnight in Pololeti Game Reserve. Main Destination: Pololeti Game Reserve (Greater Serengeti, Tanzania) Accommodation: Africa Safari Maasai Boma – Mid-range lodge just outside Pololeti GR (Greater Serengeti, Tanzania) Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water (Other drinks not included) Day 8: Pololeti Game Reserve to Northern Serengeti (Mara River Area) After breakfast, depart Pololeti and head north toward the Mara River region of the Northern Serengeti. As you approach the river system, wildlife density increases significantly, especially during the migration season. Expect changing ecosystems and growing anticipation