The Southern Plains & Calving Season

The Great Migration is an endless circle, but its most heartbeat-skipping chapter begins with the arrival of new life. Every year in January, the massive herds complete their long trek south, pouring into the lush Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the eastern Serengeti.

After the late rains, the plains are covered in sweet, green grass. This “super-food” provides the perfect nursery for the millions of mothers waiting to give birth.

January: The Arrival at Ndutu

The horizon begins to shift as the first herds reach the Ndutu region. The air is thick with anticipation. Most of the females are heavily pregnant, driven by a singular mission: to find the best nutrition for their soon-to-arrive calves. By mid-January, the lands around Naabi Hill and Lake Ndutu are teeming with life as the great gathering reaches its peak.

February: The Explosion of Life

February is a month of wonders. In a dramatic burst of nature, half a million wildebeest are born in just two to three weeks. Imagine the sight: 8,000 wobbly new calves taking their first steps every single day.

The areas around Lake Masek and Lake Ndutu become a vast maternity ward. To see a calf only a few hours old, keep your binoculars ready around noon—mothers give birth in the heat of the day so their young can find their legs before the shadows of nightfall bring danger.

March: The Battle for Survival

As March arrives, the herds linger in Ndutu and Kusini, allowing the youngsters to grow strong. The plains are a beautiful, vibrant green, and the pace of life feels slow and serene—but don’t be fooled.

With so many vulnerable calves, the predators are on high alert. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are constantly on the prowl, creating intense “prey-vs-predator” drama that is both heartbreaking and thrilling to witness. For photographers, March offers the most private and stunning shots of the migration before the long trek north begins.

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Experience the Beginning of the Cycle
Join us in Arusha as we take you to the heart of the action. Our Serengeti Calving Season Packages offer a front-row seat to the most emotional and powerful wildlife event on Earth.

The plains are calling. Will you answer?