Here’s a detailed 14-day Ndutu Migration Calving Season & Zanzibar Island itinerary, designed to offer a thrilling safari experience during the Great Migration Calving Season at Ndutu and a relaxing finish in Zanzibar:
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Arusha)
- Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO):
- Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport.
- Transfer to your hotel in Arusha for a comfortable overnight stay.
- Briefing about the upcoming safari adventure.
Day 2: Arusha to Ndutu (Southern Serengeti)
- Morning Drive to Ndutu:
- After breakfast, depart from Arusha and head towards the Ndutu area in the southern part of Serengeti National Park (approx. 4-5 hours).
- Ndutu is famous for the Great Migration Calving Season from January to March.
- Afternoon game drive to spot the migrating wildebeest herds, newborn calves, and predators.
- Stay at a lodge or tented camp near Ndutu.
Day 3–5: Ndutu – Migration Calving Season
- Morning and Afternoon Game Drives:
- Enjoy three full days of game drives in Ndutu, one of the best places to experience the Great Migration Calving Season.
- Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of wildebeest calving, as thousands of wildebeest give birth, attracting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
- The area is teeming with wildlife during this time, making it an ideal location for wildlife photography.
- Experience the dynamic interaction between predators and prey, with regular sightings of cheetahs chasing after young wildebeest and hyenas lurking around the herds.
- Stay at your lodge/camp in Ndutu for the evenings.
Day 6: Ndutu to Serengeti National Park
- Drive to Serengeti National Park:
- After breakfast, drive further into the Serengeti (approx. 2-3 hours).
- Afternoon game drive as you enter the Serengeti plains, experiencing the vast beauty of the park and its iconic wildlife.
- Enjoy a sunset game drive before returning to your accommodation for the night.
Day 7: Serengeti National Park Game Drives
- Full Day in Serengeti:
- Enjoy a full day of game drives across the endless plains of the Serengeti.
- Spot the Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos) and explore the vast savannas where the Great Migration herds move.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness.
- Stay overnight in Serengeti.
Day 8: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
- Drive to Ngorongoro Crater:
- After breakfast, drive towards the Ngorongoro Crater (approx. 4-5 hours).
- Ngorongoro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to abundant wildlife in a unique crater ecosystem.
- Afternoon game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, where you can spot the Big Five, flamingos, and other wildlife.
- Overnight stay at a lodge on the crater rim.
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
- Morning Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater:
- Enjoy a morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places in the world to see wildlife in abundance.
- Spot lions, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo, and take in the stunning views of the caldera.
- Afternoon return drive to Arusha for an overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 10: Arusha to Zanzibar
- Fly to Zanzibar:
- After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for a flight to Zanzibar (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).
- Upon arrival, transfer to your beach resort in Zanzibar.
- Enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the beach.
- Overnight stay at a luxury beach resort.
Day 11–13: Zanzibar Beach & Exploration
- Explore Zanzibar:
- Spend three full days enjoying both relaxation and adventure in Zanzibar.
- Activities to consider:
- Stone Town Tour: Explore the rich history, visit the House of Wonders, Freddie Mercury Museum, Forodhani Gardens, and Zanzibar Slave Market.
- Spice Tour: Discover Zanzibar’s famous spice plantations, learning about cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Dolphin Tour: Swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi or enjoy a sandbank picnic for a romantic day.
- Prison Island: Take a boat to visit Prison Island and meet the giant tortoises.
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: Discover vibrant coral reefs and marine life at Mnemba Atoll or Chumbe Island.
- Enjoy sunset dhows, private beach dinners, and strolls along the shoreline in the evenings.
Day 14: Zanzibar – Departure
- Leisure Day & Departure:
- Enjoy a final relaxing day at your resort, where you can unwind by the beach or indulge in spa treatments.
- Depending on your flight time, transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your departure flight.
Conclusion
This 14-day Ndutu Migration Calving Season & Zanzibar Island itinerary offers a perfect blend of thrilling wildlife safari experiences during the Great Migration and calving season in Ndutu and relaxation in the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. From the breathtaking wildlife of the Serengeti to the stunning beaches of Zanzibar, this adventure is sure to create unforgettable memories.
