Wildebeest Calving Season Safari
A critical time in the annual Great Migration of wildebeests, the Calving Season takes place in the Serengeti ecosystem of East Africa. It’s a period when thousands of pregnant wildebeests gather in specific areas to give birth to their young, usually occurring from late January to early March. During this time, the wildebeests seek lush, nutrient-rich grasslands, typically in the southern parts of the Serengeti, to ensure better survival chances for their offspring.
All Stunning Kilimanjaro Tours & Excursions are private and fully guided, featuring a full-board meal plan with three nutritious meals per day. Flexible start dates are available all year round (subject to availability).
Starting Point:
Safari Duration:
National Parks:
Activities:
Accommodation:
The airport of arrival or an accommodation prior to the roundtrip.
5 days.
Tarangire National Park.
Serengeti National Park.
The Ngorongoro Crater.
Full-days of game drives.
Optional: A morning game drive (starting before dawn).
Optional: A cultural visit to a local Maasai village.
Full board lodges and/or tented camps.
Estimated Price:
On request
Details of the Wildebeest Calving Season Safari
Also known as gnus, wildebeests are among the most recognizable animals in East Africa’s vast savannahs. With their muscular build, curved horns, and bearded faces, they are uniquely adapted to long-distance travel and harsh conditions. In Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem, they form immense herds that move in synchrony across the plains during the Great Migration — one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles. Grazing on fresh grasses and constantly on the move, wildebeests are essential to the balance of the ecosystem, shaping vegetation patterns and supporting predator populations.
Wildebeests
Each year, from late January to early March, the southern Serengeti becomes a nursery as hundreds of thousands of wildebeests give birth during the calving season. In just a few weeks, around 400,000 calves are born — a remarkable display of life and renewal. However, this abundance also attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, who rely on these vulnerable newborns. The calving season highlights the wildebeests' role as a keystone prey species, sustaining the food chain while symbolizing the fragile yet powerful rhythm of life on the African plains.
The Circle of Survival
Calving Season Safari: Day-to-Day Itinerary
Keep in mind that these itineraries are just a starting point to help you plan your Stunning Kilimanjaro adventure. We specialize in
creating tailor-made tours and personalized adventures and holidays, fully customized to match your personal preferences.
- Day 1 -
Safari Kick-Off in Tarangire National Park
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Your adventure begins in Tanzania, where your professional safari guide welcomes you at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
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After a scenic 2–3 hour drive through the heart of East Africa, you’ll enter Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem famous for its towering baobab trees, dramatic landscapes, and some of the largest elephant herds in Africa.
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Enjoy a thrilling game drive, spotting diverse wildlife including giraffes, lions, zebras, and other members of the Big Five.
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Savor a delicious packed lunch at a designated picnic area with panoramic views of the African bush.
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As the sun begins to set, your guide will drive you to your handpicked lodge or tented camp near the park.
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Enjoy dinner under the stars, surrounded by the raw beauty of Tanzania’s wilderness.
Explore the Calving Grounds in Southern Serengeti
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After breakfast, your journey continues northward to the Southern Serengeti, one of the most iconic safari destinations in East Africa and a core zone of the Great Migration.
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Travel through breathtaking landscapes and take the opportunity to stop for wildlife sightings en route.
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Upon entering the park, you’ll enjoy a packed lunch before embarking on your first game drive in the open plains of the southern Serengeti.
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This is where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest begin gathering for one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the calving season.
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In the evening, unwind at a lodge or luxury tented camp located within or near the park, where you’ll dine and overnight surrounded by the sounds of the African savannah.
- Day 2 -
- Day 3 -
Witness the Magic of Calving Season
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Today is fully dedicated to experiencing the wildebeest calving season, a remarkable event that draws both predators and prey into dramatic interaction.
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With tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles on the move, expect heart-pounding moments as you witness births, nursing calves, and predators like lions and hyenas prowling the plains.
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Multiple game drives allow you to explore different calving hotspots and enjoy intimate encounters with wildlife.
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Your overnight stay remains at your lodge or tented camp in the Serengeti, complete with dinner and storytelling beneath the Tanzanian sky.
Central Serengeti — Wildlife Density at Its Peak
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Following an early breakfast, you’ll drive deeper into the Central Serengeti, where the density of wildlife is at its highest.
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This region offers prime sightings of the Big Five and plays a crucial role during the Great Migration.
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Start the day with a sunrise game drive directly from camp.
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Traverse diverse ecosystems — from nutrient-rich grasslands and golden savannahs to scattered acacia woodlands.
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You’ll enjoy lunch at a scenic picnic spot, often shared with passing wildlife.
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As the day winds down, you’ll settle in at a new accommodation in the Central Serengeti, ready for another night of unforgettable safari adventure.
- Day 4 -
- Day 5 -
The Ngorongoro Crater: A World Heritage Site
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After breakfast, depart for the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best-preserved calderas on Earth and home to a staggering concentration of wildlife.
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Descend 600 meters into this UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy a full-day game drive.
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Spot everything from elephants, buffalo, and rhinos to flamingos.
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During the calving season, this natural amphitheater offers a rare opportunity to observe newborn animals and predator interactions in a concentrated environment.
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Lunch is served picnic-style within the crater, after which you ascend and make your way back to Arusha, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro and your final destination in your Wildebeest Calving Season Safari with Stunning Kilimanjaro.
- Day 6 -
- Day 7 -
- Day 8 -
The Circle Of Life Continues
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Your journey through the Wildebeest Calving Season is just the beginning.
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Extend your Tanzania adventure with an idyllic Zanzibar beach holiday, and relax on its tranquil shores, to complement your wildlife-filled adventure.
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Take in another cultural journey, while soaking in the island's tropical beauty.
A Journey Fulfilled!
You’ve stood at the heart of life’s greatest cycle — where birth, survival, and instinct paint the wild in its rawest form.
Included
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All entrance fees including government taxes.
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All activities (unless indicated as optional).
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All accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.
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A professional driver, and safari guide, including expert guidance and informative commentary.
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3 meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Unlimited bottles of drinking water.
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Pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
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Alternative transportation in the event of a breakdown.
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Transportation in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for 6 passengers, during the entire itinerary.
Excluded
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International and/or domestic flights.
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Tips (read Additional Advice).
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Visa (50 USD for Tanzania)
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Medical and/or travel insurance.
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Local SIM card.
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Personal expenses, such as souvenirs.
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Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and meals not specified as included.
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Medical evacuation by helicopter.
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Increases in taxes or park fees initiated by the government or other official authorities.