December 2026 – February 2027

Tanzania Calving Season Safari 2027

Witness one of nature’s most moving wildlife spectacles. Explore the open plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti as wildebeest calves arrive and predators follow the Great Migration.

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Private journeys • Expert local guidance • Itineraries tailored to you

Wildlife-rich plainsNdutu & southern Serengeti

Tailor-made itinerariesTravel at your own pace

Photography opportunitiesWildlife and landscapes

Local safari teamTanzania expertise

A season unlike any other

Come for the calving. Stay for the unforgettable moments.

Every year, the Great Migration brings vast herds of wildebeest into the short-grass plains around Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. During the calving season, many calves are born within a relatively short period, creating extraordinary opportunities to observe the rhythms of the wild.

With Safari Outfitters Company Limited, your safari can be shaped around your interests, whether you dream of photography at first light, watching herds across the plains, learning about predator behaviour or unwinding at a carefully selected camp after a day in the bush.

Explore Ndutu and the southern Serengeti with an experienced safari team.
Choose a private, couple, family or photography-focused journey.
Discuss camps, lodges, travel pace and budget before confirming.
Build in time for game drives and unhurried wildlife viewing.

Create My Safari

Made around your travel style

Choose your calving season safari experience

These are starting points, not fixed packages. Tell us your dates and interests and we’ll help shape an itinerary to suit your trip.

Safari vehicle exploring an African wildlife landscape

Classic wildlife

Ndutu Calving Season Safari

Spend time on the plains where wildebeest gather to give birth, with game drives planned around wildlife conditions and your interests.

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Comfort & style

Luxury Migration Escape

Pair rewarding wildlife viewing with comfortable camps or lodges. We’ll discuss availability, preferred standards and your budget.

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Wildlife photography in the African wilderness

For photographers

Wildlife Photography Journey

Allow time for changing light, animal behaviour and thoughtful game viewing. Share your photography goals so we can plan accordingly.

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Wild Tanzania

Moments worth travelling for

From sweeping grasslands to close encounters with wildlife, the calving season offers a compelling reason to explore Tanzania.

Plan the right dates

When should you visit?

Calving activity and wildlife movements vary with rainfall and local conditions. These are general seasonal guidelines, not guarantees of specific sightings.

December 2026

Consider a journey into the southern Serengeti and Ndutu as herds move into the region. The landscape can be green and dramatic after seasonal rains.

January 2027

A popular period to plan around the calving season. Allow several days in the area to give your safari flexibility as wildlife shifts across the plains.

February 2027

Often associated with peak calving activity in the Ndutu area, though timing varies. Ask us for advice based on your travel dates and interests.

Your dates. Your interests. Your Tanzania.

Whether you’re travelling from the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe, our team can help you explore options for a personalised calving season safari.

Request Your Tailor-Made Itinerary

Start planning

Request your 2027 calving season safari

Share a few details below. Our team can use them to understand your trip and discuss suitable itinerary options.

Let’s plan something extraordinary.

Tell us what matters most to you. We can discuss trip length, accommodation preferences, group size, wildlife interests and an estimated budget.

Personalised safari planning
Advice on Ndutu and the southern Serengeti
Accommodation options based on your preferences
No obligation to confirm when you first enquire

Email
info@safarioutfitters.co.tz

WhatsApp / Phone
+255 787 031 526

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What would make this safari special for you?

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Helpful answers

Calving season safari FAQs

What is Tanzania’s wildebeest calving season?

It is the period when many wildebeest calves are born on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti ecosystem, particularly around Ndutu. Exact timing and wildlife distribution vary from year to year.

Is January or February 2027 a good time to visit?

Both months are commonly considered for a calving season safari. February is often associated with intense calving activity, but rainfall and herd movements can change conditions. We recommend allowing flexibility in your itinerary.

How many days should I plan for?

Many travellers benefit from several days in the Ndutu and southern Serengeti area, with additional time for other parks or arrival and departure logistics. The ideal duration depends on your interests, flights and budget.

Can Safari Outfitters arrange a luxury private safari?

We can discuss a tailor-made private itinerary and accommodation options that match your preferences and availability. Please share your dates, group size and desired comfort level in the enquiry form.

How do I check availability and pricing?

Send your preferred dates and trip details using the form or contact us on WhatsApp. Prices and availability depend on the travel dates, accommodation, park fees, transport and itinerary confirmed for your group.

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Kristi M

Safari experience of a lifetime! WOW! What a truly amazing experience! They designed a custom tour for us as we were traveling with our kids and grandkids (ages 9 &13) which was nothing less than spectacular! From the moment they met us at the airport at 4am til the time we sadly said goodbye 8 days later we were totally taken care of. The accommodations were fantastic, as was the food, and the scope of animals and experiences we had during our safari were unforgettable. Francis has an eagle eye for finding animals and his knowledge about them was so enlightening. It was so cool to have him park where we had a great view of the animals and just watch them in their daily life. His staff Joseph and Everest were helpful through the whole process. If you want a personalized experience, these are the guys!! All my photos were taken with an iPhone 14!

Exploration280431

Hard to put into words what we experienced, except to say: GO! A truly once in a lifetime amazing experience! Our trip with Francis and our siblings was absolutely wonderful. Attention to detail, comfort, organization was all excellent. But what makes a trip with Safari Outfitters especially unique is the skill and knowledge of the guide. Francis is without a doubt one of the best in Tanzania and his many years of experience result in awe inspiring encounters. We especially appreciated having the same guide through out the trip, building a positive relationship, responding to our interests and needs, and the wealth of knowledge was truly outstanding! When we ran into some unplanned occurrences nationwide, Francis’ focus on safety, convenience and well being was paramount. You cannot go wrong with this organization and I guarantee it will be unique, local and stunning.

MBP

A Safari that touch your heart and soul. We were enthralled with our 12 day custom safari with Francis. From the moment he picked us up at RiverTrees ( highly recommend) to his personal goodbye at the central Serengeti airport, Francis made sure EVERYTHING went smoothly so we could relax to revel in the stunning scenery and fully focus on the thrilling wildlife encounters he set up for us. Francis has a huge knowledge of of birds, plants and animals but what really sets him apart is his experience and almost uncanny ability to understand animal behavior: several times he predicted what they would do and then positioned the vehicle so that the animals came to and surrounded us. Thus we got amazing photos and videos just with my iPhone 16 pro without the need for long lenses and expensive cameras. When wildlife is so close you can hear their footfalls, subtle vocals and look into their eyes, you feel overwhelmed with the privilege of visiting them in their natural home, rather than the feel of other parks with an “ animals on display for $” feel. Without the daily km restrictions of other companies and with Francis’ obvious love of driving, we could travel to remote waterholes and be the only vehicle there. ( early June) He booked us in a range of camps from very high end to comfortable remote bush tents- all were fabulous. Tell him your safari goals and he will personalize your trip. The Land Cruiser is very comfortable with custom non divided roll down windows -absent in many other companies - great for seated viewing and photography. We thought this was going to be a one time bucket list trip but after sharing Francis’ enthusiasm for Tanzania, we are already planning to return to be enchanted again. Highly recommend.

SkierKaren

Unbelievable trip! A must go! Nature Outfitters organized a trip of a lifetime. Seeing the migration three times was a dream come true. We saw so many animals up close because Francis knows where to find them. He aligned the vehicle so we were photographing the animals in the best lighting. Falling asleep to the sound of wildebeest outside my tent was so cool. Francis has an in-depth knowledge of the wildlife in the Serengeti and you will learn so much on this tour. I also highly recommend you opt to go to the Olduvai Gorge on your way to the Serengeti. All the accommodations on the safari were excellent with great food, private bedrooms and baths. Francis’s meticulous preparation made this tour perfect. I highly recommend this company and Francis as your guide. He has a great sense of humor, contagious smile and amazing knowledge of wildlife.

Boydy M

Incredible and wonderful trip ever Definitely we had an incredible and wonderful trip ever with Nature outfitters Tanzania, we stayed Ten solid days in the bush with full experience and knowledgeable guide Tony we explore almost Northern National parks, but Serengeti is our first choice, the experience is typically a fresh and new as if you had never been, every single day in the bush is unique from southern circuit it was amazing, in the short plains was covered with a great number of wildebeest moving in a single file, we explore also goal copies. The plains covered by gazelles with lions on the big rocks for sure with thanks Nature outfitters team for good coordination and we recommend them highly.

Rwgrub

Exceeded our expectations! My husband and I enjoyed a private safari guided by Francis of Nature Outfitters. From the minute he picked us up at the airport, every day felt like an exotic adventure. Truly, I was speechless at experiencing up close so any animals and yet, I felt totally safe all of the time. Sometimes we were acutely aware of the silence, but other times, especially at night you could hear nature happening so close. Every aspect of the safari was perfect. The food was extraordinary by any standards, freshly prepared and served elegantly. Even at midday in the middle of the Serengeti, lunch boxes were delicious. Accommodations were spacious and private and fully equipped by hotel standards; flush toilets, showers, quality bedding and toiletries. People are friendly, helpful and English is spoken everywhere. Francis is a professional who customized our safari by length, cost and accommodations. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. I could not imagine ever again going with any other guide.

SarahM961OS

Astonishingly Beautiful! Our private Safari with Nature Outfitters was superb in every way. Francis Shio tailored a multi-week itinerary well suited to our budget and our desire to see seldom seen animals like caracal cats and to visit areas outside tourist venues like the joint Tanzania-Kenya Rhino reserve. Francis provided unique and exciting sightings and vistas. As a wildlife artist, I appreciated how much Francis' guide skills are integral to my paintings. He positions the safari truck perfectly for the angle of light, he anticipates the movement of animals, he provides time for me to set up a shot, and waits as long as necessary. His understanding of animal/bird behavior is remarkable and encyclopedic. With my photos, I have included 3 lions, each with its corresponding painting. In short, I recommend Francis Shio of Nature Outfitters highly and entirely without hesitation. Just go, you will thank yourself for the rest of your life.

Michael Wright

A Safari beyond our wildest dreams Our 3 week June 2021 safari with Nature Outfitters, TZ far exceeded our greatest hopes. Traveling for the 4th time with our wonderful guide Francis Shio I photographed a species only documented once before in the wild (see pictures), also a rarely seen nocturnal species of hyena, as well as Black Maned lion, leopard, cheetah and the harder to spot Serval cat and Caracal cat. We saw Fringe-eared Oryx, rarely seen in Tanzania, Black Rhino (at a distance this time) and so much more. Finally we witness a confrontation between a Puff Adder and a Black Mamba (do not be dissuaded, these are the first snakes I have seen in many trips). Elephants in great numbers, a myriad of birds, the Serengeti migration in two locations and much more. Nature Outfitters TZ provided a professional and personalized trip never to be forgotten.

An experience you will never forget. As former President of the African Wildlife Foundation and for many years as a VP at WWF-US I have been fortunate to travel to the continent many times but traveling with Francis (on 3 safaris, each unique in its own way) will remain forever in my memory. His knowledge of and ability to locate wildlife can not be matched. He is especially skilled with photographers--sensitive the the optimal lightly and location of the vehicle. He is patient and sensitive to each clients particular interests. He began as our guide, he became a colleague and is now a close friend. I can recommend him without hesitation. I should note our safari was 18 days but that option is not included above.

John

Great Safari Experience with Friendly Knowledgeable Guides We were impressed by personable driver guide Francis Peter Paul Shio's service toward all of our group and for his sharp eye and expertise in locating and identifying different animals on our tour. Indeed, we were able to see the big five: elephants, cape buffalo, lions, leopards and one rhino sighting from afar! We also enjoyed his insight and sharing of the Masai culture and traditions with us that gave depth to our safari. We highly recommend using Francis as your driver guide.