Day 1: Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti National Park

Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, your driver, who will also be your guide, welcomes you and loads your luggage into the safari vehicle. So, this is when your 10 day Ndutu safari begins. The driving distance to the Serengeti National Park from Arusha Airport is roughly 250–320 km, taking about 5 to 6 hours, depending on stops and wildlife along the rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This long drive is not wasted time because it slowly transitions you from Tanzania towns and cultivated land into one of the world’s richest natural systems. So, the air changes rapidly as you pass through Arusha’s semi-humid warmth that blows around Karate’s green slopes.

Along the way to Ndutu Area, you may see olive baboons in the trees, yellow-collared lovebirds, and black-shouldered kites. Even if there is no migration viewing yet, the trip to Ndutu Region in Serengeti NP sets the tone by introducing you to the Rift Valley’s dramatic rise in altitude. Lunch today is a packed picnic lunch served while at the Ngorongoro Crater Viewpoint. From here, continue to Naabi Hill Gate located at the southeastern doorway into the Serengeti. So, you are likely to reach Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp in the central Serengeti by late afternoon.

Later, check in, enjoy a hot towel and a glass of tamarind juice. Usually, animals that are sighted around the camp include bat-eared foxes, topi, and Thomson’s gazelles. By late evening, dinner is served to you inside the open-air dining tent. Even if there is no migration activity experienced yet, get to reminisce about the first day’s activity as you rest in your bed.

Day 2: Transfer from Central Serengeti to Ndutu Plains

After an early breakfast at your camp, set off from Seronera Area following the Southern Wildebeest Descent Corridor. So, this is the channel the wildebeests use when shifting from central Serengeti into the Ndutu plains, especially from December to March. Traveling through this route, you may see lion prides lounging on granite kopjes, cheetahs scanning the plains, elephants, and bands of mongoose. In the early-morning, wildebeest herds are seen moving southwards, usually stopping frequently to graze. Lunch on this day is a safari picnic set under a flat-topped acacia in the Macao Plains. Also, from lunchtime onward, enter the Ndutu Short-Grass Zone, which is the birthplace of the migration.

Additionally, this is because the soil here is rich in minerals that the pregnant wildebeests crave. By late afternoon, you settle into the Ndutu region and experience herds stretching across the horizon. Animals normally seen alongside the wildebeests include the jackals and the hartebeests. In the evening, dinner back at Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp is served in the dining tent. So, you will have a Tanzanian meal before you go to your cozy room.

Day 3: Explore the Lake Ndutu Calving Grounds

Today, you follow the migration route circling the Lake Ndutu south-eastern edge. Additionally, this is the calving core, where tens of thousands of female wildebeests in Serengeti drop their young between late January and mid-March. So, this attracts predators like cheetahs and lions. Because of the increase in many unbearable prey victims during this time, you are likely to view predator-prey patterns as the lions are seen stalking the calves in Ndutu.

In the afternoon, your guide will set up a bush lunch on a portable table near the Lake Ndutu shoreline. The latter is famous for soft breezes, open sightlines, and shallow water that attracts herbivores, ice rhinos, and buffalo. In the Late afternoon, have a game drive focused on tracking down the prime predator movement in Ndutu area of the Serengeti. So, you are likely to see animals like hyena clans testing vulnerable calves, cheetahs sprinting, circling vultures, and jackals shadowing the herds. Some of these are seen on your en-route drive back at camp, where you will enjoy a bush dinner before you rest.

Day 4: Game drive safaris to explore the Ndutu Woodlands & Marshes

On this day, have a bush breakfast set up in the open grasslands. So, enjoy a buffet accompanied by a warm drink and a naturally made juice before you explore the Ndutu Marsh Region. So, that is a mix of thick woodlands and open grass, and is one of the most reliable big cat territories where travelers spot leopards, lions, and even herds of impalas. When it comes to the great migration in Serengeti, you will see herds forming migration patterns around the Marsh edges.

Later, have your lunch served to you by the safari guide in vehicles overlooking one of the breathtaking scenic stopovers around the Bolongoja springs, in the northern area of the Serengeti.  By the sunset game drive, the wildebeests drift out of the woodlands into the open plains to avoid night predators hiding in the thick bush. Hence, spot them before you go for another wilderness dinner at the Mbuzi Mawe camp.

Day 5: Game drives via the Southern Ndutu Plains

On this day, in the morning, head towards the Kakiya Plains, a rarely visited stretch where wildebeest herds often gather with their newborn calves. So, observe how these animals nurse their calves.  The morning game drive is also extraordinary because this is the time when most animals are active. Hence, you are likely to catch the predators like lions chasing the impalas, or already feasting on their morning hunt of the wildebeest calves.

After the morning game drive, head back to the Mbuzi Mawe camp for a wilderness brunch buffet where a variety of foods are served, including Tanzanian traditional delicacies. After the meal, have spa and wellness services delivered to your tent. Lastly, in the evening, have a campfire dinner as you listen to traditional stories and myths told by your guide.

Day 6: Wildebeest Migration Tracking in Serengeti Near Naabi Hill

Have your breakfast before 10: 00 am, then be briefed by your guide about the day’s activity in this Ndutu migration safari. On this day, you are most likely to follow the wildebeests drifting slightly northeast toward the Naabi Hill Ridge. Additionally, this is where volcanic soils produce new grass after light rains. So, this usually attracts herbivores like wildebeests and zebras. Hence, travelers witness the first signs of the great migration’s herd expansion as it spreads across the wide plains from here.

In the middle of the day, picnic Lunch is enjoyed in the open Serengeti grasslands overlooking the breathtaking backdrop of Naabi Hill’s granite slope. Later, have another game drive following the migrating herd, which moves in lines, accompanied by zebras and impalas. In the evening, return to your camp and dinner will be brought directly to your tented camp in Serengeti.

Day 7: Game drives from Ndutu Area to Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley)

On this day, have breakfast at the dining area of Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp. Then, do a final sweep through the Lake Masek corridor that is around the Ndutu plains. So, observe wildebeests moving, especially when the rains shift. During your game drive, spot animals like eland, ostrich, cheetahs, and zebra mothers. When it comes to the great migration in Serengeti Seronera, herds usually scatter in these open plains searching for fresh grass.  Also, the calves adapt to the environment and their surroundings. A Lunch picnic is served near the Olduvai area alongside salad accompaniments.

In the afternoon, go for a game drive through the Seronera Valley, a habitat for the big cats in Serengeti. Spot prides of lions are normally seen resting after an afternoon hunt. Also, see leopards scanning the plains from the acacia trees. In the evening, go back to the Mbuzi Mawe tented camp and for dinner on the terrace before you rest.

Day 8: Full-day game drive experiences in Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Spend the 8th day exploring the Seronera Area, one of the richest parts of Serengeti known for its high density of predators. With the existence of permanent water sources like the Seronera River in this region, travelers are guaranteed optimal wildlife viewing all year. Throughout this day, travelers should expect to see distinct behaviors of the different wild species, including herbivores like elephants, zebras, and giraffes. Also, the big cats, hence, travelers will see the big 5 animals in Central Serengeti in this Ndutu migration safari: lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants.

From April to May, this is the time when wildebeests usually pass through this area.  Hence, a traveler who comes during this time will be able to observe their movements. All meals are served in the wilderness, from the bush breakfast in the morning to the picnic lunch around the kopje area in the afternoon. Lastly, dinner is served at your Serengeti tented camp before you sleep.

Day 9: Return to Ndutu Plains for the migration safari experiences

This will be another day of full-day game drive experiences. First, the day starts with breakfast at the dining area of the Mbuzi Mawe tented camp. Next, prepare yourself for the day’s wildebeest migration safari in the Ndutu Region. So, you are likely to encounter hundreds and thousands of the wildebeests gathered in the plains, some giving birth and others lining up, getting ready to leave.

Also, you might see other species like buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, rhinos, hartebeests and birdlike pelicans and the flamingos concentrated at the Ndutu Lake. During the day, you will have a packed lunch and in the night dinner will be brought to your camp.

Day 10: Transfer from Serengeti to Arusha and end of safari

After taking your last bush breakfast at the Mbuzi Mawe tented camp, you will do one last leisurely morning drive near the camp. So, have more sightings of animals in Serengeti like buffalo, giraffes, impala, and zebras. In the afternoon, enjoy a sundowner meal before you depart from the Mbuzi Mawe camp to the Arusha airport. So, you will end the 10 days Ndutu wildebeest migration safari from where it began. Lastly, carry the memories of the Ndutu calving season, which is one of the most dramatic wildlife events on the continent.

Q: When is the peak Ndutu calving in 2026?

A: February has the highest wildebeest births, with intense predator action.

Q: Why Ndutu Region over other migration spots in Serengeti?

A: Intimate access to births/calves, off-road freedom, fewer crowds than other Serengeti Safari Areas.

Q: Suitable for photographers/families?

A: Yes, Ndutu Region has clear views, flexible pacing, and luxury comforts in Serengeti.