Day 1
Day 1
Arusha to Ndutu
Pick up in Arusha, scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arrive in Ndutu (Southern Serengeti ecosystem), afternoon game drive and overnight in Ndutu.
Overnight in lodge / campD
6 Day Private Migration Safari
6-Day Great Migration: Calving Season
Witness one of the world's greatest natural spectacles as over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Your safari follows the migration's seasonal movements, maximizing your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters while exploring some of Northern Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.
6 daysSouthern Serengeti · Ndutu · NgorongoroPrivate departureBest: January - March
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Regions
Southern Serengeti · Ndutu · Ngorongoro
Group
Private, max 6 guests
Best time
January - March
Style
Seasonal · Midrange
Vehicle
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser
Overview
Calving Season | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu.
Witness one of the world's greatest natural spectacles as over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Your safari follows the migration's seasonal movements, maximizing your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters while exploring some of Northern Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.
Thousands of wildebeest calves born each day during peak calving
Intense predator activity
Large lion prides
Cheetahs hunting on open plains
Beautiful green landscapes
Outstanding wildlife photography
SeasonalMidrange
Why this journey
Why we built this itinerary the way we did
Combines Southern Serengeti, Ndutu and Ngorongoro in a single, well-paced itinerary.
Timed to intercept the herds at the right latitude for your dates, with mobile camps that move with the migration rather than fixed lodges hours away.
6 days is enough to see the core Northern Circuit without rushing between camps. We favour longer stays in fewer camps over a checklist mentality.
Who it's for
Is this the right journey for you?
First-time safari-goers
Comfortable, well-located lodges and camps that deliver the full Northern Circuit without stretching your budget beyond what it needs to be.
Migration chasers
Photographers and repeat safari-goers who want to be in the right patch of Serengeti at the right week of the year.
Day by Day
The itinerary
Day 2
Day 2
Ndutu plains
Full-day game drive across the Ndutu plains, searching for thousands of wildebeest gathering to calve, with excellent opportunities to see cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and jackals. Overnight in Ndutu.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 3
Day 3
Lake Ndutu & Lake Masek
Morning game drive, explore Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek and continue tracking predators following the herds. Overnight in Ndutu.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 4
Day 4
Southern to Central Serengeti
Drive through the Southern Serengeti into Central Serengeti with an afternoon game drive in the Seronera Valley. Overnight in Central Serengeti.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 5
Day 5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands
Morning game drive, then drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Overnight on the crater rim or nearby Karatu.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 6
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater and return
Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, half-day game drive, picnic lunch and return to Arusha.
Overnight in lodge / campB
In the field
Wildlife you can realistically expect
Southern Serengeti
Resident prides of lion on the kopjes, coalitions of cheetah on the short-grass plains, elephant families in the woodlands, and, in season, columns of wildebeest and zebra moving through in the hundreds of thousands.
Ndutu
The green-season calving grounds. Between late January and early March, half a million wildebeest calves are born here in three weeks - the highest predator density anywhere in the Serengeti ecosystem follows.
Ngorongoro
Africa's densest concentration of large mammals inside the crater floor - all Big Five bar giraffe, plus black rhino, flamingo on Lake Magadi, and consistent lion and hyena sightings within a two-hour drive.
When to travel
Best time for this route
Late January - March
Ndutu calving. Half a million wildebeest calves on the ground in about three weeks. Highest predator density of the year.
April - May
The herds regroup and start the slow northward push through the central Serengeti. Green, quiet, dramatic skies.
June
Grumeti River crossings and rutting in the Western Corridor. Fewer vehicles than the Mara crossings later in the year.
July - October
Mara River crossings in Kogatende. Book 8-12 months out. Northern Serengeti camps run at full capacity.
November - early December
Herds move back south through Lobo and central Serengeti. A quieter, transitional window still worth chasing.
Included
What's covered
- All park & conservation fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals on safari (B, L, D)
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
- Government taxes & VAT
Not Included
Extras & optionals
- International flights
- Tanzania visa (US$50 pp)
- Travel & medical insurance
- Personal expenses & drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural add-ons)
- Tips & gratuities
Where you stay
Handpicked lodges & camps
We tier accommodation to match your travel style - from atmospheric tented camps to unfussy comfortable lodges to owner-run luxury retreats. Below are typical properties on this itinerary; alternatives are always available on request.
Southern Serengeti
Tented camp with plunge pool
Ndutu
Rim lodge with valley views
Ngorongoro
Riverside luxury tent
Extend your journey
Optional add-ons
Hot air balloon safari
Sunrise flight over the Serengeti or Tarangire (approx. US$650-750 pp) ending with a champagne bush breakfast. Book at time of confirmation - allocations fill 6+ months out.
Walking safari with an armed ranger
Available in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Highlands and select Serengeti concessions. 2-4 hours; different scale of engagement with tracks, plants and small game.
Cultural visits (Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga)
We route through community-owned programmes only - fees go directly to the households you meet. Half-day to full-day.
Zanzibar beach extension
3-7 nights on the north coast (Kendwa, Nungwi, Matemwe) or the quieter east (Michamvi, Pongwe). Direct flights from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Ideal decompression after safari.
Kilimanjaro trek add-on
6, 7 or 8-day routes (Machame, Lemosho, Rongai). We recommend a minimum 7-day itinerary for summit success and proper acclimatisation.
Practical
Packing essentials
- Neutral safari clothing (khaki, olive, stone) - 3-4 layers, one warm fleece for early morning drives
- Wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, polarised sunglasses
- Sturdy closed shoes for walks + one comfortable pair for camp
- Small daypack, refillable water bottle, headlamp with red-light mode
- Camera body + one telephoto (200-400mm for wildlife), spare batteries, dust blower
- Binoculars per person (8x42 is the sweet spot)
- Basic medical kit: anti-malarial (consult your GP), rehydration sachets, plasters, personal medication
- Soft duffel bag (max 15kg for internal flights) rather than a hard-shell suitcase
Guide's notes
Travel tips from our team
- Yellow fever certificate is required only if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - not for direct arrivals from Europe or the Americas. Bring the card if you have it.
- Cash matters. Small US dollar bills (2018 series or newer, undamaged) cover tips and curio purchases. ATMs work in Arusha and Moshi; the parks have none.
- Sunrise game drives are non-negotiable. First light between 06:15 and 09:00 is when predators are still active and light is at its softest. We wake you with coffee at the tent.
- Bring binoculars per person - a good 8x42 pair transforms your safari. Sharing one pair is the single most common regret.
- Charge in the vehicle. Every Karis Land Cruiser has inverters and 12V outlets, so cameras and phones stay topped up between camps.
- Neutral colours only for walking safaris and cultural visits - no bright blue (attracts tsetse), no camouflage (reserved for military).
Questions, answered
FAQ
Is the 6-Day Great Migration: Calving Season itinerary private?+
Yes. Every Karis journey is a private departure - your own guide, your own Land Cruiser, your own pace. You do not share the vehicle with strangers.
When is the best time to book?+
Migration itineraries in Kogatende (July-October) and Ndutu (late January-March) should be booked 8-12 months in advance. Mobile camps sell out first.
How much of the price is fixed vs flexible?+
Park fees, vehicles and guides are fixed. The main lever is the accommodation tier - swapping a luxury camp for its midrange sister camp can change the price by 25-35% without losing park time.
What wildlife will we realistically see on the 6-day route?+
Across Southern Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro we expect the Big Four (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard) as a strong likelihood, with cheetah and rhino depending on the parks visited. Your guide radios sightings with a trusted network of colleagues; nothing is chased or crowded.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?+
Every camp handles vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and children's diets given advance notice at booking. We double-confirm 14 days before travel.
What is your cancellation policy?+
30% deposit at confirmation, balance 60 days before travel. Free date changes up to 45 days out subject to camp availability. Beyond that we work with each camp's individual policy.
How safe is safari travel in Tanzania?+
Tanzania is politically stable and one of the safer safari destinations in Africa. Our vehicles carry satellite communications; every itinerary has a 24/7 duty phone; guides are STCW/first-aid certified.
