This 7-day safari focuses on the majestic herds of wildebeests and zebras that gather near Lake Ndutu, located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which forms part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The best time to observe these migrating herds is between December and April. From January onward, it’s an exceptional time to witness the calving season as the herds spread across the short-grass plains. Predators are nearby, waiting for opportunities to hunt.

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from Utukufu Travels & Adventures and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. This vibrant town, nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, is the ideal place to rest and prepare for your upcoming safari.

Accommodation: After check-in, you’ll have time to unwind and enjoy the comforts of your lodge. Whether relaxing in the garden, enjoying a refreshing drink, or settling into your room, this is your time to recover from the journey.

In the morning, your personal safari guide will pick you up from your accommodation. You will embark on your journey toward Tarangire National Park. The route traverses Maasai plains dotted with acacia trees, where you’ll observe Maasai herding cattle, walking along the road, or riding bicycles. Known for its large elephant herds, Tarangire is also home to a diverse range of wildlife.

From the open roof of our safari vehicle, you will explore the seasonal swamps, savannahs, and the life-sustaining Tarangire River, encountering zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, and possibly leopards resting in trees. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, you’ll head to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Your day in and around Ngorongoro Crater could just be one of the most memorable of your whole safari. You’ll explore the crater rim and then drive down onto the crater floor, where the critically endangered black rhinos are the stars of an astonishing wildlife show. You’ll almost certainly see large tusked elephants, at least one of the Ngorongoro’s four lion pride, and wandering clans of spotted hyenas.

It also just happens to be one of Africa’s most beautiful corners, a hidden world where you’ll be surrounded by steep, deep-green crater walls, a salt lake, forests, and hippo-filled waterways.
After the game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, you will start your journey to Central Serengeti National Park.

You'll experience a full game drive in the heart of Serengeti National Park. After a bush lunch, you will have a transit game drive to the Ndutu Area in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. The drive takes approximately three hours and offers stunning views of the Rift Valley. Lake Ndutu, like other alkaline lakes in the region, attracts a variety of wildlife.

Following a satisfying lunch, you will embark on an evening game drive, exploring the Ndutu region, where the majority of the wildebeest migration can be seen from December to April. To conclude the day, you will be transferred to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

After a hearty breakfast, you will set out for a full day of exploration in the Southern Serengeti National-Ndutu region. This area boasts a range of habitats, including swamps, woodlands, soda lakes, and the Serengeti’s iconic short-grass plains.

You’ll witness large herds of wildebeest and zebras. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in January, you may catch the incredible spectacle of synchronized calving, when wildebeest give birth to nearly half a million calves over a short period. After a thrilling day on the plains, you’ll return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will transfer from Ndutu to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge Information Centre, a significant archaeological site known as the Cradle of Humankind. Here, you will learn about early human history and the discoveries that have helped scientists understand human evolution.

After your visit, you will continue to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive across its diverse landscapes. You will have opportunities to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, and other wildlife. Ngorongoro is also home to black rhinos and white rhinos, although sightings of these rare animals are not guaranteed.

After your game drive, you will transfer to your accommodation in the Ngorongoro Crater area for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will depart from Karatu and travel towards Arusha, stopping along the way in Mto wa Mbu for cultural activities. You can enjoy a guided village walk, a bicycle tour, taste traditional Tanzanian food, and interact with local communities to learn about their daily lives and traditions. Depending on the itinerary, you may also visit a Maasai boma to experience Maasai culture and learn about their customs and way of life.

After these activities, you will continue to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. This marks the end of your safari, leaving you with lasting memories of Tanzania’s wildlife, culture, and local hospitality.