Photography Safari 13-Day Photography Safari in Tanzania
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park · Lake Eyasi · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · +3 more
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Ndutu Area
Ndutu calving season: Ndutu is the woodland and short-grass country around Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, on the boundary between the southern Serengeti.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeLate January to early March for calving, with February the usual peak
- Trips1 sample trip
- Destinations nearbyCentral Serengeti, Lake Eyasi
Ndutu calving season: what to know
Ndutu is the woodland and short-grass country around Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, on the boundary between the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From December to March the wildebeest migration spreads across these plains, and within a few weeks around February most of the year's calves are born here.
What to know before you go
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Why the herds calve at Ndutu
The soil is volcanic ash from the Ngorongoro highlands. When the short rains arrive it grows grass that is rich in calcium and phosphorus, exactly what lactating wildebeest need. Several hundred thousand calves are born in a window of about three weeks, and a calf can stand and run within minutes.
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Predators and off-road driving
So many vulnerable young animals draw lion, cheetah, spotted hyena and jackal, and the open ground makes hunts easy to follow. Ndutu lies mostly inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where vehicles are permitted to leave the tracks. That lets a guide follow a cheetah across the plain instead of watching from a road, which is a large part of why photographers favour the area.
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Staying at Ndutu
There are a few permanent lodges and a number of mobile camps that set up only for the season. From Ngorongoro Crater it is around two to three hours by road, and Ndutu has its own airstrip. Outside December to April the herds are gone and the area is very quiet.
When to visit Ndutu Area
Late January to early March for calving, with February the usual peak. December and March are also good for large herds. From May to November the migration is elsewhere and most mobile camps have moved on.
Where It Is
Ndutu Area and the other places we travel to nearby.
Ndutu Area
Trips that include Ndutu Area
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Photography Safari Plan Your Safari to Ndutu Area
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Questions about Ndutu Area
When is calving season in Ndutu?
The wildebeest arrive from December and most calves are born between late January and early March, usually peaking in February. Timing shifts by a week or two with the rains.
Is Ndutu in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro?
Both. Lake Ndutu sits on the boundary. Most camps and game-drive areas are in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so conservation-area fees apply, and some drives cross into Serengeti National Park.
Can you drive off-road in Ndutu?
Yes, within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area section, subject to the authority's rules. It is not allowed inside Serengeti National Park.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
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