3 Days Ndutu Migration & Ngorongoro Crater Safari Itinerary

Overview

Experience Tanzania’s two most celebrated wildlife destinations—Ndutu and Ngorongoro Crater. This 3-day adventure begins and ends in Arusha, led by our knowledgeable driver guides who are committed to making this an unforgettable journey. For the best chance to witness the Great Migration, this tour is recommended from late December through March.

Day 1: Arusha – Drive to Ndutu Area (Southern Serengeti)

Accommodation: Mid-range or luxury lodge/tented camp in Ndutu (e.g., Ndutu Safari Lodge / Lake Masek Tented Lodge)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast in Arusha, your professional safari guide will pick you up and brief you on the adventure ahead.
Depart for Ndutu, located in the southern part of the Serengeti ecosystem, within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai villages.
Arrive in the Ndutu region in time for an afternoon game drive.
Witness large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gathering for the calving season—along with predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Sunset drive to your camp or lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.

Highlights:

Beginning of the Great Migration (calving season)
Open plains and excellent predator sightings
Off-road game drives allowed in Ndutu for a closer experience

Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Ndutu – Transfer to Ngorongoro

Accommodation: Lodge on the crater rim or nearby (e.g., Rhino Lodge / Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early breakfast and a full-day game drive around Ndutu Lake, Hidden Valley, and surrounding plains.
Track the migration herds, and witness dramatic predator-prey interactions.
Picnic lunch under a shaded acacia tree or near Lake Ndutu.
In the afternoon, slowly drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Ascend to the crater rim for dinner and overnight stay with breathtaking views.

Highlights:

Calving season spectacle (wildebeest giving birth)
Big cats: cheetahs, lions, and leopards
Optional visit to a local Maasai boma (cultural stop)

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Return to Arusha

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Early breakfast followed by descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s largest intact volcanic calderas.
Enjoy a 6-hour game drive on the crater floor—a wildlife paradise home to the Big Five.
Possible sightings include black rhino, elephants, buffalo, lions, flamingos at Lake Magadi, and more.
Picnic lunch by the hippo pool.
After lunch, begin your journey back to Arusha. Optional airport drop-off for evening flights or overnight in town.

Highlights: