10-Day Serengeti Great Migration Safari Itinerary With Trust Tours and Safaris – Calving Season Focus (December to March)

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Warm Welcome to Tanzania

• Activities: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a Trust Tours and Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to your comfortable lodge in Arusha. Unwind from your journey with a welcome drink and take in the peaceful surroundings. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a short city tour or relax at the lodge. In the evening, receive a detailed safari briefing over dinner.
• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Charming lodge in Arusha

 Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Land of Giants

• Activities: After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous baobab trees and large elephant herds. Begin your wildlife adventure with a game drive that introduces you to Tanzania's spectacular landscapes and diverse animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. Capture scenes of elephants bathing, giraffes grazing, and birds fluttering across the riverbanks.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp near Tarangire

 Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park – Birdlife & Beauty

• Activities: Depart for Lake Manyara, a small but stunning park known for its lush groundwater forest and vast soda lake. Explore different ecosystems ranging from forest to lake to open plains. Highlights include sightings of flamingos, hippos, tree-climbing lions, and blue monkeys. Enjoy a scenic lunch before heading to your lodge nestled in the Great Rift Valley.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge overlooking the Rift Valley or near the park

 Day 4: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Escapes

• Activities: This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing for the Ngorongoro Highlands. The drive takes you through fertile farmland and vibrant highland villages. Stop for photo opportunities and cultural encounters with local communities. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim or nearby with time to relax and soak in the sweeping views.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury lodge in Ngorongoro Highlands

 Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Eden of Africa

• Activities: Early morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an unforgettable wildlife experience. This natural enclosure hosts a dense concentration of animals, including lions, black rhinos, buffalo, zebras, and abundant birdlife. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the hippo pool before ascending to the rim and continuing your journey to the Serengeti's southern plains.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Tented camp in Southern Serengeti (Ndutu area)

 Day 6: Ndutu Plains (Southern Serengeti) – Calving Season Begins

• Activities: Spend your first full day in the heart of the calving season. The Ndutu region is where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle gather to give birth. With predators such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs in close pursuit, game viewing here is raw, emotional, and unmatched. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives to follow the action and witness the circle of life unfold before your eyes.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Mobile tented camp or eco-lodge in Ndutu

 Day 7: Full Day in Ndutu – Migration & Predators

• Activities: Continue exploring the Ndutu plains, where the drama of nature plays out daily. The sheer number of newborn calves attracts predators, and it’s not uncommon to witness hunting scenes from a close yet safe distance. Your expert guide will help you interpret behaviors and position you for the best photographic opportunities. Enjoy a sundowner drink in the wilderness as the day winds down.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Same camp in Ndutu

 Day 8: Ndutu to Central Serengeti – Shifting Landscapes

• Activities: After breakfast, drive north to Central Serengeti, known for its resident wildlife and classic landscapes of acacia-dotted plains. Spot leopards lounging in sausage trees, elephants wandering through the grasslands, and prides of lions basking in the sun. Settle into your luxury camp and take in the untouched serenity of one of Africa’s most iconic locations.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury tented camp in Central Serengeti

 Day 9: Serengeti to Karatu – Reflection & Relaxation

• Activities: Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before making your way back through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Karatu, a charming town nestled between the crater and Lake Manyara. Spend the evening at leisure in a cozy lodge, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery of the past days.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Comfortable lodge in Karatu

 Day 10: Karatu to Arusha – Departure Day

• Activities: After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stop for last-minute souvenir shopping or a visit to a coffee plantation. Your safari ends with a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (if time allows)

Inclusions:

• All park fees and conservation charges
• Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Domestic flights (if applicable)
• All meals and accommodations as listed
• Bottled water during game drives
• Airport transfers

Why Choose Trust Tours and Safaris:

• Tailored itineraries built around seasonal highlights
• Expert local guides passionate about wildlife and conservation
• Handpicked lodges and camps with excellent comfort and service
• Personalized service from start to finish

Witness the miracle of life and nature's grandeur with Trust Tours and Safaris during the spectacular calving season in Tanzania.