Hot air balloon floating above migrating wildebeest herd in Southern Serengeti grasslands during calving season
Destination iconDestination

Southern Serengeti Ndutu

A Great Migration hotspot known for Big Cat action and incredible cheetah sightings on the plains.

The Southern Serengeti Ndutu region in Tanzania is one of the most renowned areas of ...
The Southern Serengeti Ndutu region in Tanzania is one of the most renowned areas of the Tanzanian safari circuit, situated between the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the Great Rift Valley floor. This seasonal hub is best known for the Ndutu calving season, which takes place from December to March, when more than half a million wildebeest give birth on the fertile grasslands. The spectacle draws predators in high numbers, making calving season safaris in Ndutu some of the most dramatic in Africa. Beyond the migration, the Ndutu plains remain an excellent destination for year-round wildlife viewing. Travellers on game drives can encounter the Big 5, elephants moving between woodlands and grasslands, as well as some of the best cheetah sightings in East Africa. The seasonal Lakes Ndutu and Masek add to the diversity of habitats, attracting flamingos, waterbirds, and other species that enrich the experience. Accommodation ranges from mobile camps to permanent safari lodges, while a fly-in safari to Ndutu via the Ndutu airstrip makes access simple. With fewer vehicles than the central Serengeti, the area allows for more intimate sightings and a deeper sense of wilderness.

Find Southern Serengeti Ndutu on the map

Best time to go to Southern Serengeti Ndutu

The best time to travel to Ndutu in the Southern Serengeti is from December to March, when the wildebeest calving season takes place. During these months, more than half a million calves are born across the Ndutu plains, creating intense predator action with lions, cheetahs, and hyenas in constant pursuit. This is also when birdlife thrives around Lakes Ndutu and Masek, making game drives exceptionally diverse. Outside the calving months, wildlife remains present, but many herds migrate north as the Great Migration continues. For travellers focused on dramatic sightings, predator encounters, and fewer crowds compared to the central Serengeti, the calving season makes Ndutu one of the most rewarding safari destinations in Tanzania.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • January

  • February

  • March

  • April

  • May

  • June

  • July

  • August

  • September

  • October

  • November

  • December

Best

January

Best

February

Best

March

Acceptable

April

Acceptable

May

Good

June

Good

July

Good

August

Good

September

Good

October

Acceptable

November

Best

December

Have Questions?

Our FAQs about Southern Serengeti Ndutu

Contact Us

Recent postcards

What our travellers are saying

With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

avatar icon

Margherita

verified iconVerified Traveller

Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

avatar icon

Stefano

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

avatar icon

Linda

verified iconVerified Traveller

I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.

avatar icon

Manuel

verified iconVerified Traveller

From the first contact to trip preparation and implementation as well as support during the trip, Viatu always acted very professionally. Our wishes and the given financial framework were taken into account. The hotels, the food, the activities - everything was excellent and highly recommended.

avatar icon

Nadja

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our honeymoon with Viatu. From the first minute on, we had good communication going with our travel agent, and she suggested a very nice itinerary right away. After some little adjustments that were easily done, we were ready to go.

avatar icon

Nora

verified iconVerified Traveller

I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

avatar icon

Christoph

verified iconVerified Traveller

The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

avatar icon

Jan

verified iconVerified Traveller

We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

avatar icon

Valerie

verified iconVerified Traveller

Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

avatar icon

Nicole

verified iconVerified Traveller

With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

avatar icon

Margherita

verified iconVerified Traveller

Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

avatar icon

Stefano

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

avatar icon

Linda

verified iconVerified Traveller

I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.

avatar icon

Manuel

verified iconVerified Traveller

From the first contact to trip preparation and implementation as well as support during the trip, Viatu always acted very professionally. Our wishes and the given financial framework were taken into account. The hotels, the food, the activities - everything was excellent and highly recommended.

avatar icon

Nadja

verified iconVerified Traveller

We booked our honeymoon with Viatu. From the first minute on, we had good communication going with our travel agent, and she suggested a very nice itinerary right away. After some little adjustments that were easily done, we were ready to go.

avatar icon

Nora

verified iconVerified Traveller

I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

avatar icon

Christoph

verified iconVerified Traveller

The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

avatar icon

Jan

verified iconVerified Traveller

We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

avatar icon

Valerie

verified iconVerified Traveller

Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

avatar icon

Nicole

verified iconVerified Traveller
All Reviews