7 Days Ndutu Family Wildlife Discovery Safari

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Home Safaris 7 Days Ndutu Family Wildlife Discovery Safari

Tour Type

Wildlife Safari

Tour Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Min. No of Pax

Tour Price

Mid-range $ 4800 Per Person

Luxury $ 5000 Per Person

The Price Includes

All national park entry fees
Full board accommodation for all nights
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop up roof
Professional English speaking driver guide
Bottled drinking water during game drives
All game drives as outlined in the itinerary
Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
Government taxes and levies

The Price Excludes

International airfare
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips for drivers, guides, and lodge staff
Alcoholic and soft drinks not included in the meal plan
Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris, cultural visits, and nature walks
Personal expenses including laundry and souvenirs

Tour Summary

Tour Map

Tour Overview

This seven day Family Calving Season Safari created by Mountains 2 Marshes Tanzania Expeditions is designed to give families an unforgettable adventure through Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations during the most dramatic period of the Great Migration cycle. Tailored to suit families with children of all ages, this safari combines thrilling game drives, breathtaking scenery, comfortable family friendly accommodations and expert guiding through the Southern Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Central Serengeti. From the moment you arrive in Arusha, your entire journey is crafted to ensure comfort, safety, interactive learning moments and meaningful wildlife encounters that become cherished family memories. Each location has been carefully selected to provide the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation while ensuring high quality wildlife sightings in child friendly environments.

The highlight of this safari is the Ndutu calving season, one of nature’s most extraordinary events that occurs between December and March. During this time, the vast plains of the Southern Serengeti erupt with life as more than 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily. Families get the rare opportunity to witness newborn calves taking their first steps only minutes after birth, massive herds stretching across the green plains, and intense predator interactions involving cheetahs, lions, hyenas and jackals. The landscape becomes a rich classroom for kids to learn about animal survival, migration behavior, predator prey dynamics and the ecosystem that supports wildlife. Ndutu is one of the few areas in Tanzania where off road game driving is permitted, allowing guides to take families closer to wildlife so children can observe animals safely and clearly.

Your safari begins in Arusha for a relaxing evening before heading to Tarangire National Park, famous for elephants, ancient baobab trees and stunning river landscapes. From Tarangire you travel to Ndutu for two nights in the heart of the Great Migration calving grounds. The adventure continues into the Central Serengeti where families have excellent chances to see lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos and other iconic species before driving toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, which offer cool temperatures, inspiring landscapes and cultural interaction opportunities. The journey concludes with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, an incredible wildlife sanctuary where families often spot black rhinos, large buffalo herds, hippos and flamingos. This family oriented itinerary emphasizes comfortable lodges, relaxation time, kid friendly meal options, flexible game drives and unique extras such as storytelling nights, bush sundowners, balloon flights and cultural experiences.

Day To day

Day 1

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a Mountains 2 Marshes Tanzania Expeditions representative who will transfer your family to Four Points by Sheraton Arusha. The drive takes approximately one hour and travels through the green foothills of Mount Meru. The rest of the day is reserved for relaxation, recovering from travel and preparing for the upcoming adventure. Families may enjoy hotel facilities including the swimming pool, gardens and comfortable lounge areas. Optional activities include a short Arusha city tour, a visit to the Cultural Heritage Centre, Tanzanite shopping or a local food tasting experience to introduce children to Tanzanian cuisine. Overnight in Four Points by Sheraton or mid range options such as Forest Hills Hotel or Ritzy Arcadia Cottages.

Suggested Accommodations

Ritzy Arcadia Cottages
Forest Hill Hotel
Gran Melia Arusha

Day 2

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you will drive approximately 120 kilometers to Tarangire National Park, taking around two and a half hours. Known for its large elephant populations and breathtaking baobab landscapes, Tarangire is a perfect introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife for families. The Tarangire River attracts animals throughout the year, offering excellent sightings of elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, giraffes, waterbucks and more than 500 species of birds. Children often enjoy spotting smaller animals such as mongoose families, agama lizards and vervet monkeys. The park’s open terrain provides safe and clear wildlife viewing for younger children. Optional family friendly activities include short walking experiences near the park boundary, Maasai cultural visits or a sunset photography session. After the game drive, you will continue toward the Manyara region for your overnight stay at Lake Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge or mid range Farm of Dreams Lodge.

Suggested Accommodations

Marera Valley Lodge
Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Luxury Lodge
Farm of Dreams Lodge

Day 3

Transfer to Ndutu Area

This morning you will travel from the Manyara region through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and continue toward Ndutu, the heart of the calving season. The journey takes around four hours depending on wildlife sightings along the way. As you approach Ndutu, the green open plains begin to fill with thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Your afternoon game drive will focus on locating calving herds, newborn calves and predator activity. Families often witness newborn wildebeest learning to walk, baby zebras staying close to their mothers and playful calf behavior. The Ndutu region uniquely allows off road driving, enabling your guide to take you right into the center of the action while maintaining safe distances. Overnight at Nyumbu Luxury Camp for luxury or Nyikani Migration Camp Ndutu for mid range. Optional activities include bush sundowners, storytelling around the campfire or wildlife photography lessons for children.

Suggested Accommodations

Nyikani Migration Camp (Ndutu)
Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Ndutu Safari Lodge

Day 4

Full Day in Ndutu Calving Grounds

Today will be dedicated to exploring the Ndutu calving grounds, the epicenter of the Great Migration’s birthing cycle. After an early breakfast, you will embark on a full day game drive across open plains, marshlands and woodland edges where tens of thousands of newborn calves take their first steps. The plains become a dynamic environment filled with predator activity, offering some of the most remarkable wildlife encounters in Tanzania. You may witness live births, newborns learning to walk, cheetahs scanning herds from termite mounds, lion prides on the hunt and hyenas interacting within their clans. Your guide will follow wildlife movements to maximize your viewing opportunities. Couples and photographers particularly enjoy the soft morning and evening lighting found in Ndutu. Optional activities include a sunrise hot air balloon flight followed by a champagne breakfast, private bush lunches, or professional wildlife photography guidance. You will spend another night at Masek Tented Lodge or Nyikani Migration Camp.

Suggested Accommodations

Nyikani Migration Camp (Ndutu)
Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Ndutu Safari Lodge

Day 5

Central Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will drive from Ndutu to the Central Serengeti, a journey of approximately three hours. The Central Serengeti is rich in wildlife year round and is known for the Seronera Valley, a region famous for its large lion prides, leopards resting in acacia trees, large herds of buffalo and excellent sightings of giraffes and hippos. Families often enjoy visiting hippo pools, watching playful baboons and learning about the Serengeti’s ecosystem from their guide. The region offers some of the best photographic opportunities on the safari. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari, Serengeti visitor center nature walk or a family safari picnic lunch under the acacia trees. Overnight at Four Seasons Safari Lodge or Melia Serengeti Lodge for luxury, or mid range options including Moyo Tented Camp, Anantya Camp or Signature Serengeti Camp.

Suggested Accommodations

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Moyo Tented Camp
Serengeti Serena Lodge

Day 6

Central Serengeti National Park

This morning you will enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti before traveling toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. The drive takes around three to four hours depending on sightings and stopovers. As you ascend into the highlands, the landscape transforms from open savannah to cool, forested and hilly terrain. The Ngorongoro Highlands offer stunning views, fresh mountain air and peaceful surroundings perfect for family relaxation. Your accommodation options include Ngorongoro Melia or Lions Paw Ngorongoro for luxury, or mid range lodges such as Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp, Angata Ngorongoro Camp or Ngorongoro Wild Camp. Optional activities include guided walking tours along the crater rim, Maasai boma cultural experiences, or nature walks through the highland forests that are especially enjoyable for children.

Suggested Accommodations

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Moyo Tented Camp
Serengeti Serena Lodge

Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater & Departure

After an early breakfast, you will descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half day game drive. This ancient volcanic caldera hosts an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including elephants, black rhinos, lions, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, flamingos and abundant birdlife. The crater floor offers a natural enclosure that allows families to see many species in one location, making it an ideal final safari experience. Your picnic lunch will be enjoyed at one of the crater’s scenic lakeside picnic areas where hippos can often be seen nearby. After the game drive, you will ascend the crater rim and begin your drive toward Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Optional activities for the last day include crater rim photography, cultural souvenir shopping or a short highlands walk before departure.

Here, every adventure is designed around you. Instead of fixed schedules, we offer flexible itineraries that can be shaped to fit your interests, pace, and style. Our experienced travel experts will collaborate with you every step of the way, crafting a personalized journey that captures the true essence of Tanzania your way, your story, your unforgettable experience.