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Trip Overview
Duration
9 Days | 8 Nights
Guide
James Hendry
Date
18 - 26 February 2026
Location
Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater
Southern Serengeti’s Ndutu Region
Come and experience one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on the planet. Every year, hundreds of thousands of blue wildebeest give birth on the endless plains of the southern Serengeti. As the calves arrive, predators – lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas abound.
James Hendry will guide you on this epic, 8-night safari adventure. You’ll travel from the foothills of Mount Meru to the iconic Ngorongoro Crater with the trip culminating on the sweeping southern plains of the Serengeti. This remarkable time of year offers extraordinary sightings and rich predator-prey interaction, along with all the other iconic African wildlife – herds of elephants and buffalo, journeys of Masai giraffe, flamingos with the backdrop of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater to name a few.
Your Private Guide
James Hendry
Private Safari Guide
With over two decades of guiding experience and academic credentials in both Wildlife Science and Human Development, James offers a distinctive blend of insight, humour and depth. He holds a BSc in Wildlife Science, an MPhil in Human Development, and the highest FGASA guiding qualifications, grounding his safaris in both expertise and understanding.
Since joining WildEarth in 2015, James has become a familiar presence to thousands of nature lovers across the globe. He thrives on sparking curiosity and joy, bringing Africa’s landscapes and wildlife to life through sharp storytelling, thoughtful commentary and the occasional well-timed laugh.
Guests often remember James for his wit, warmth and engaging explanations of evolutionary biology. They also tend to mention that he’s a little shorter in person than expected. His favourite animals are leopards and wild dogs, both of which have given him some of his most meaningful experiences on foot.
A fun fact? He once was a porridge salesman.
The Lodges
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
Simplicity meets sublimity. Just 10 impeccable, uncomplicated tents on the rim of the largest extinct volcano in the world, the great caldera of which is home to tens of thousands of animals, including all of the Big Five – among them, the largest of the remaining bull tusker elephants in Africa. The camp occupies a prime position in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, amid an enchanted acacia forest, barely 15 minutes’ drive from the crater’s floor. Our earliest bipedal ancestors may have taken their first steps on their long journey out of Africa from a point nearby about 3.6 million years ago.
Serengeti Safari Camp, Serengeti
To get as close as possible to the migration is our sole obsession. A million and a half wildebeest and zebra can’t be wrong, and this camp never settles for less. This canvas home-from-home and its indomitable crew are on the move year-in, year-out from one sweet Serengeti site to another, guided by the mass movements of the wildebeest migration and their quest for ever greener grass. Along with it come our highly trained naturalist guides and all the trimmings of a classic safari.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where a private transfer will meet you for the journey to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Nestled in a working coffee plantation at the base of Mount Meru, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat to recover from your flight. Enjoy the lush gardens, fresh air, and elegant suite before a restful night.
Day 2: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Ngorongoro Crater
An early transfer to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight to the Manyara Airstrip. On arrival, you’ll be met for a scenic drive up into the Ngorongoro Highlands. Settle into Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, tucked into a forested area near the crater rim. The afternoon is yours to relax.
Day 3: Friday, 20 February 2026
Ngorongoro Crater
Set out for a full day inside the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife areas. With a local guide and James, explore the crater floor’s diverse habitats and search for big cats, large elephant bulls, endangered black rhinos, and rich birdlife.
Day 4: Saturday, 21 February 2026
Southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region
Begin the day with an optional walk along the crater rim, then fly into the southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region. This area is a seasonal hub for the Great Migration during calving. Settle into Nomad’s Serengeti Safari Camp, known for its mobility and proximity to the action. Head out on an afternoon game drive before returning for dinner under the stars.
Day 5 – 8: Sunday, 22 February 2026 – Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region
Spend four days following the migration. With James and your local guide, track the wildebeest herds as thousands of calves are born each day. This time of year draws predators in large numbers, so expect thrilling wildlife encounters with lion, cheetah, hyena, and more. One morning will include a guided bush walk with an armed ranger, offering a fresh perspective on the Serengeti. Evenings are spent around the fire with stories, insights, and reflections on the day’s sightings.
Day 9: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region
After a final breakfast in the bush, transfer to the Ndutu airstrip for your scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Connect to your onward international flight.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- 1 night at Arusha Coffee Lodge – “a la carte” Breakfast
- 2 nights at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp – includes all meals, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages
- 5 nights at Serengeti Safari Camp – includes all meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages (except champagne and premium wines)
- Private airport transfers
- All internal flights
- All safari activities mentioned above
- Private hosting by James Hendry throughout the experience.
Excluded
- All International Flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
Single
Per person for single occupancy
