Southern Serengeti
The short-grass plains of Ndutu, where the Great Migration gives birth each year.
- Area
- Ndutu & the southern plains
- Best time
- December–March
- Known for
- Wildebeest calving season
- Nearest airstrip
- Ndutu
Discover Southern Serengeti
The Southern Serengeti and the neighbouring Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are where the Great Migration begins its year. When the short rains arrive, usually in December, the herds pour onto these mineral-rich, short-grass plains to graze. Between late January and March, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born here within just a few weeks, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.
The Calving Season
The calving season brings an explosion of life, and with it intense predator activity. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals follow the herds, and it is one of the best times and places in Africa to witness a hunt. The plains around Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek are also excellent for cheetahs, which thrive in the open landscape.
The Green Season
From December to March the plains turn green and are dotted with wildflowers, and the dramatic afternoon storms make for spectacular photography. Rain usually falls in short afternoon showers rather than all day. Outside the calving months the herds move north, and the southern plains become dry and quiet, so timing is everything here.
Getting There
Ndutu airstrip has scheduled flights from Arusha and other Serengeti airstrips. By road, the area is about a three-hour drive from the Ngorongoro Crater rim, which makes it easy to combine the two on the same trip.
Where It Is
Southern Serengeti on the Map
Why Go
Highlights of Southern Serengeti
- Wildebeest calvingHundreds of thousands of calves born on the plains between late January and March.
- Predator sightingsLions, cheetahs and hyenas following the herds, with frequent hunts.
- Cheetah countryThe open short-grass plains are among the best places in Tanzania for cheetahs.
- Lake Ndutu and Lake MasekSoda lakes surrounded by acacia woodland and seasonal flamingos.
- Off-road drivingNdutu lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where off-road game drives are permitted.
- Green-season sceneryLush plains, wildflowers and dramatic skies perfect for photography.
Signature Journeys
Southern Serengeti Safaris
Good to Know
Southern Serengeti FAQs
When is the wildebeest calving season? +
The herds usually arrive on the southern plains in December, and most calves are born between late January and early March, with February often the peak. The exact timing depends on the rains.
Is Ndutu in the Serengeti? +
The Ndutu area lies just inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the border with Serengeti National Park, but it forms part of the same ecosystem and the southern Serengeti plains. The herds move freely between the two.
Does it rain a lot during the calving season? +
December to March is the short-rains and green season, but rain usually falls in short afternoon showers. Mornings are often clear, and the roads around Ndutu are generally passable.
What else can I see in the Southern Serengeti? +
Besides the migration, the area is known for cheetahs, lions, hyenas, elephants around the lakes, and a rich variety of birdlife in the green season.
Keep Exploring
More Tanzania Destinations
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