Everyone knows the river crossings. Far fewer know that the migration's most extraordinary chapter happens months earlier and hundreds of kilometres south, on the short-grass plains of Ndutu, in near-total quiet.

For a few weeks each February the herds drop calves at a rate of around eight thousand a day. The plains turn into a nursery the size of a country, and every predator within range knows the calendar as well as we do.

A wildebeest calf is on its feet within minutes of being born. In Ndutu, that is not a fact — it is a survival exam, sat in front of an audience of cheetah.

Why the green season wins

  • Predator density is the highest of the year — cheetah, lion and hyena follow the calving.
  • The plains are emerald and the skies are dramatic — a photographer's dream.
  • Far fewer vehicles than the July–October crossings, and noticeably lower prices.
Short-grass plains of Ndutu, mid-calving
Short-grass plains of Ndutu, mid-calving.

Combine it with the crater

A green-season trip pairs beautifully with Ngorongoro and Tarangire for a complete southern-circuit week. See the Tanzania trips →

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Frequently asked questions

When is the calving season in Ndutu?

January to February, peaking in early February when the wildebeest drop calves at a rate of around eight thousand a day.

Is calving season as good as the river crossings?