Essential Serengeti Calving Season Information
Essential Serengeti Calving Season Information: You know, the southern plains of the Serengeti really come alive after the November rains. It’s like a fresh green carpet rolls out, and that’s exactly what the wildebeest are looking for as they gear up for their busy calving season. That’s the time when several hundred thousand wildebeest come into the world.
Calving season may be brief, but it’s truly something to behold. In December, you can see huge waves of wildebeest making their way out of the Masai Mara in Kenya and heading into the southern Serengeti. They spread out into nearby spots like the Ndutu region, Lake Masek, and even the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What a fantastic sight! You’ve got the last big gathering of wild animals on the planet, all set against this short-grassy savannah sprinkled with rocky outcrops—those koppies where the Serengeti’s leopards love to hang out!
Wildebeest giving birth
In January, the pregnant wildebeest start giving birth, and by February, around 8,000 baby wildebeest are welcomed into the world each day. The calving season rolls on into March, and other animals are joining in the mix as well. A whole bunch of zebras and gazelles are tagging along with the wildebeest on their journey, using the crowd to help them safely give birth to their little ones.
Young and inexperienced animals really attract Africa’s predators, don’t they? In the southern Serengeti, you’ll find big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, hanging out with spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, and African wild dogs. If you’re out on a safari during calving season, you’re in for a treat! You’ll likely witness some fascinating predator-prey interactions, although it’s not the best news for the wildebeest.
The newborn wildebeest calves are pretty impressive; they’re on their feet in just a few minutes and can join the herd running around in just three days. Most manage to get through the predator attacks, and by the time March rolls around, the grasses in the southern Serengeti are pretty much worn out. The wildebeest start their journey west, moving in long lines across the central Serengeti, heading towards the muddy rivers that stand between them and their return to the Masai Mara. The wildebeest are taking a moment to catch their breath; those famous river crossings during migration are just around the corner.
The Wildebeest Migration is a dramatic story. It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest wildlife show on earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues.
When’s the Best Time to Book a Calving Season Safari?
Planning ahead is key if you want to experience the Serengeti calving season. Even though it’s the low season, places to stay fill up quickly. The months that matter are January, February, and March. If you’ve got certain dates in mind, it’s a good idea to book up to a year ahead—especially in February, when the calving season really gets exciting. If you’re not sure about the dates, we recommend booking around six to eight months in advance.
Where’s the best place to stay?
Where to stay is also part of the Essential Serengeti Calving Season Information. If you’re looking for the best camps and lodges during the calving season, you should definitely check out the Ndutu area, which is located south of the Serengeti. A lot of these are semi-permanent tented camps that pop up each year along the migration route, letting you head out on early morning drives and dive right into the action. Your accommodation typically features a spacious walk-in tented suite, complete with a comfy large bed, an outdoor seating area, and a private bathroom for your convenience.
Predators follow the calving season of the Great Migration closely; Hyenas kill a wildebeest
How about spending three nights in the Ndutu area and then adding two nights somewhere else to really enhance your migration experience? How about a camp in the central Serengeti? It’s got some amazing resident wildlife! Or, since Ndutu is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you could stay at a lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater, where you can spot Africa’s Big Five.
What can you do during calving season?
Do not miss out on some activities in the Essential Serengeti Calving Season Information. When it comes to wildlife viewing during calving season, it’s often best experienced from an open-sided 4X4 vehicle, driven by a knowledgeable guide. You’ll have two drives each day—one in the early morning and another in the afternoon. You’ll be back in the early evening, with a spotlight guiding your way.
Because our suggested places to stay during the calving season are in privately managed concessions, your guide can take you off-road for some amazing sightings. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to join walking safaris with Tanzanian park rangers.
Breakfast on the Maasai Mara, Kenya
Visiting villages is a fun thing to do! With your guide by your side, you can check out a local community to dive into Maasai culture and traditions, and maybe even catch the Maasai warriors showcasing their famous ‘jumping dance.’
Hot-air ballooning is definitely one of the standout activities in the Serengeti. It’s not available in the Ndutu region, but you can find it in the central Serengeti. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Ndutu in the early morning, but the best way to do it is to combine your time in Ndutu with a stay in the central Serengeti.
Which other animals have their babies around this time?
If you’re keen on spotting a bunch of adorable baby animals, the green season is definitely the time to visit! There are tons of zebra foals and gazelle fawns darting around the southern plains, trying to stay out of sight from predators by hiding among the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves.
The quick burst of greenery gets a lot of local animals ready for their main birthing season. In open woodlands, you can find adorable warthog piglets and playful baby baboons, along with wobbly-legged giraffes and little elephants trying to figure out their trunks.
Zebras grazing in the masai mara land
The sudden increase in herbivores in Africa leads to the large carnivores timing their birthing season to match the migration’s arrival. This time of year is when lions, cheetahs, and leopards usually have their cubs, and let me tell you, those little ones are a big hit with photographers!
What other places should you check out during the calving season?
If you’re looking for something totally different from the Serengeti and Ndutu, Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is a great option. January, February, and March aren’t exactly peak season, and you might encounter some rain, but the scenery is stunningly green. Plus, you’ll have the place mostly to yourself, and the wildlife experience is quite unique compared to the migration season.
In Tanzania, you really can’t go wrong with Zanzibar as the top beach spot that’s super easy to get to. Visiting the Spice Island from January to March is a fantastic idea! The days are warm and sunny, and the Indian Ocean is super clear right now, which makes it a great time for divers and snorkelers.
The calving season is such an exciting time for a safari in Tanzania! The baby animals are just so cute, and the scenery is absolutely lush! Plus, seeing all those predators around really makes it a standout event in the Great Migration calendar. Plan your great migration trip with Engagi safaris and let it take care of the rest.
