4 Nights / 5 Days

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The Circle of Life: A 5 day Calving Season Safari in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Conservation Area(4N)

Sold By: Wild Portraits Safaris

5.0 (15 reviews)

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arusha to Ndutu Area Ngorongoro

 Your safari guide will meet you at the airport or at your Arusha hotel. You will have a small briefing of what to expect during the safari. You will later be transferred to Ndutu Area in the southern plains of the Ngorongoro ecosystem. You will arrive in time for lunch at Ndutu Safari Lodge and relax from your 6 hour drive. Later in the Evening you will start your first game drive in this incredible Ndutu plains with abundant wildlife and search for Wildebeest and zebra herds, Gazelles and giraffes, Lions and cheetahs following the migration

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

You will have a full day in the calving area. You can opt to take hot breakfast and carry packed lunch for the picnic in the conservation area and spend the full day here or carry packed breakfast do a morning game drive later return to the lodge for lunch and have your second game drive in the evening. More than a thousand wildebeest reside here because of their vast, open plains and the nutrient-rich grass that nourishes both mothers and calves. The Crater volcanic soils are rich in nutrients including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron that offers the best conditions for raising their newborn calves. During this period over 400,000 calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly 8,000 new calves every day. A single calf weighs 22kg (14-25kg) is born after a gestation period of approximately 250 days. 

Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge

 

You will spend the full day spotting the big cats and predators. You will leave the lodge early in the morning with packed breakfast to catch the animals while they are active especially the predators. After birth, the calf is able to run with the mother just a few minutes after birth. The abundance of vulnerable young calves means the surrounding predators also spring into action, hunting with ease due to the sheer numbers of wildebeest. Take the front seats and catch the action from the Lions as they hunt the migratory herds, Cheetahs as they hunt in the open plains, Hyena packs competing for hunted prey to Jackals and Vultures scavenging for a taste.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

After breakfast you will explore the diverse ecosystems surrounding the lake which is a critical water source and the hidden valleys that offer a different perspective on the migration. You will discover the Ndutu Acacia woodlands and Lake Ndutu which is home to the African Elephant and the Giraffes, Cheetahs resting away from the sun under the Acacia trees, Leopards occassionaly spotted in the dense woodlands and not forgetting the abundant birdlife in the lake.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge

 

After breakfast you will leave the lodge and head back to Arusha arriving by early evening. You will be transferred to an Arusha hotel or at the airport for your homebound flight 

Accommodation Details

Package Policies

  • Guaranteed safari confirmations
  • Transport in a 4x4 land cruiser for game viewing and photography
  • Full board accommodation whilst on safari
  • Accommodation
  • All park entrance fees to include government taxes
  • Service of an English-speaking professional driver/guide
  •  Extensive game drives
  • All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
  • Bottled water whilst on safari
  • Start and end in Arusha.
  • Personalized service  
  • Picnic stops for breakfast or lunch in the conservation area
  1. Tips
  2. Laundry
  3. Beverages/Drinks
  4. International flights
  5. Visas
  6. Items of a personal nature
  7. Any other extras not detailed in
  8. Hotel accommodations in Arusha before and after the safari 
  9. Optional activities

The Calving season Safari is available only from January to March

This is a private safari

The Safari has a minimum number of 2 people travelling together

Bottled Water will be provided during Game drives

Charging pots will be available in the vehicle

Safari land cruisers are custom made for safari you are guaranteed a window seat.

Your excellent and passionate safari guides will be at hand to answer and point out interesting facts as you explore.   

All bookings made with us are subject to these terms.1. Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy You will have to pay a deposit of at least 30% of the booking value for the booking to be confirmed. Please note that the deposit amount varies based on the tour type and shall be notified to you before making the booking. Once the booking is accepted by us, we shall send you a booking confirmation email with the voucher, which shall serve as a contract between us from the date we send the confirmation. All details about the balance payment which is due before the departure date will be mentioned in the booking voucher. If this balance is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right to cancel the booking. In case of cancellations, the following charges will apply on the amount paid · 45% if cancelled between 60 and 45 days prior to arrival · 60% if cancelled between 44 and 30 days prior to arrival · 100% if cancelled 30 days and 24 hrs. prior to arrival

2. If you Change Your BookingAfter your booking has been confirmed, should you wish to make any changes to your itinerary or wish an earlier departure date, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests based on availability. However, there may be extra costs involved to accommodate your request. These costs are in addition to the fee quoted to you for your initial safari. Normal cancellation fees apply if you wish to postpone your departure.

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Wild Portraits Safaris Reviews

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a month ago

Everything about the trip was perfect, from the safari program to the accommodations. James is the best guide you could ask for – incredibly knowledgeable and with an enormous passion for wildlife and one of the greatest person i ever met

4 months ago

Trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

Excellent

5 months ago

From the moment we met James, the owner of Wild Portrait Safari, we knew we were in expert hands. Over eight incredible days across the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli, he didn’t just show us the Big Five—he introduced us to hundreds of other stunning species and the living, breathing story of Kenya’s wildlife. Every day was a masterclass in understanding nature, reading the l (Read More)and, and truly seeing animals in their best habitats and biotopes. What sets James apart is the way he blends deep knowledge with genuine warmth. He taught us where and how to look for animals, how ecosystems connect, and the very real challenges wildlife face due to climate change. His insights made each sighting more meaningful, and his tips on wildlife photography (from light and composition to patience and timing) helped us bring home images we’re truly proud of. Through it all, his human touch—kindness, humor, and care—made the journey unforgettable. We loved every minute of our 8 days, and we left feeling both grateful and inspired. If you’re dreaming of a Kenyan safari that combines breathtaking sightings, thoughtful education, and heartfelt guiding, look no further. Highlights: - Saw the Big Five plus countless other remarkable animals - Clear, engaging lessons on Kenyan wildlife and habitats/biotopes - Thoughtful discussions on conservation and climate change - Practical, game-changing wildlife photography guidance - Warm, attentive, and deeply human guiding throughout - Seamless experience across Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Amboseli Thank you, James, for an extraordinary adventure—we’ll treasure it forever. Highly, highly recommended. ??

6 months ago

Trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha

Just went for 8 day safari with James and Wild Portraits Safaris...it was spot on perfect. Reasons 1.Clear communication and replies always comes very quickly on WhatsApp. 2. Very genuine with suggestions and doesn't do things as a job or formality. 3. James is very knowledgeable. 4. The enthusiasm and passion shown by James was just so infectious. 5. The planning of itinerary takes care of (Read More)all the finer details. 6. They really take care of your focus and they don't try to sell anything you are not interested in. For example we skipped the village visit because we didn't see value in it. 7. Quite flexible and adjusts as things progress.

8 months ago

Trip to Kenya

Everything went smooth and was detailed. Communication was flawless. The experience was seamless and well organised. Our guide Ben was fantastic and knowledgable so we feel we made a friend in Kenya too. James was superb in helping us plan the trip and with suggestions for stay. All in all it was such a special vacation and I can’t wait to explore more of Africa. People are great ! So warm and fri (Read More)endly and what a truly blessed country with so much nature and wildlife. I would highly recommend Wild Portraits and James and Ben for your travel to Kenya.
please be careful while entering the country at immigration - make sure your passport is stamped. We had some issue with this. Can’t complain about anything else. It was beyond our expectations.

8 months ago

Trip to Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi

I reached out to Wild Portraits via a safari service website that featured numerous tour operators. Among the competition, James stood out due to his exceptional patience, politeness, and genuine curiosity displayed during our initial phone calls. James swiftly emerged as the singular operator I wished to proceed with, and here’s why: - Having substantial on-ground experience from spending e (Read More)xtensive time on the safaris himself, he adeptly crafted a honeymoon package that perfectly suited my wife and me. - He adeptly navigated our budget flexibilities and constraints to arrange an impressive array of delightful lodges and activities, focusing on maximising our day-to-day adventures, ensuring each day on safari and at the lodges offered a unique experience. - A skilled photographer himself, James's comprehensive knowledge of various reserves and animal behaviours provided him with a distinct advantage in predicting animal locations and optimal times for photography, whether capturing sunrises, sunsets, or other moments. - Our priority was to maximise game time and reserve experiences. James made certain our vehicle was ready, complete with packed hot breakfast boxes, for a prompt 6 AM departure every morning of the trip. - Remarkably patient, he addressed all my queries, irrespective of whether they seemed 'silly' or insightful—from 'what to wear' at safaris, potential places to explore, to the animals we might encounter. In summary, my wife and I enjoyed an extraordinary experience in Kenya, with Wild Portraits Safaris significantly enhancing the quality of that journey. We are eagerly anticipating more safaris and look forward to embarking on them with James and his team!

2 years ago

We just came back from our second safari trip with James of Wild Portraits Safari. We had the greatest possible experience during our 9 day-trip from Amboseli (Kenya), to Tarangine, Ngorongoro, Serengeti (Tanzania) and then to the Mara in Kenya. The full trip was well organized and included so many highlights: beautiful sights, the landscapes, the wildlife, James' ability to find the quiet spots w (Read More)ith magnificent viewing, great accommodations, breakfast in the Mara, horseback riding amongst buffalo, hyena and giraffes, and of course James' great company, his care for his guests and his drive to make the full experience perfect. We are already planning our next visit and will certainly travel with James again. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a fantastic vacation.

2 years ago

I have gone on two safaris with Wild Portraits and James M. He does an outstanding job of finding the game and getting his clients into perfect position for photos. The camps and vehicles are all wonderful, and his prices are very competitive. I hope to go with him again sometime soon!

4 Nights / 5 Days

Fully Customisable

The Circle of Life: A 5 day Calving Season Safari in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Conservation Area(4N)

Sold By: Wild Portraits Safaris

5.0 (15 reviews)

Starting From

$ 3,168*

$ 3,180

0% off

Compare quotes from 3 agents and get best deals

$ 3,168
per adult