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Baby Bloom Safaris

Highlights

Serengeti National Park – Quintessential Africa

Ndutu Plains – Serengeti’s off-roading playground and calving grounds for Great Migration. Witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration as more than 2 million animals flood the plains where new life blossoms by the hundreds of thousands in just a few short weeks.

Great Rift Valley Tribal Interactions – Take a deep cultural dive with Wanderful Tanzania as we introduce you to three unique and amazing tribes who call the Great Rift Valley home.

Ngorongoro Crater – You just have to see it to believe it

Tarangire National Park – Magical Baobab trees and elephants for days! 

Duration:

12 Days

Season:

January – March

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Where new life blossoms by the hundreds of thousands

Calving season on the southern plains. Thousands of newborns. Predator action. Emerald-green landscapes. Awe around every corner

Why Safari During Baby Bloom?

Those of us from the Northern Hemisphere would equate this season with our springtime. The lakes and streams are full from the recent rains, and the plains of Tanzania burst to life with new grasses as green as you would see in Ireland! There are blossoms and wildflowers everywhere, and the weather is mild.   

Rains (if any) typically arrive in the late afternoon and overnight hours, rarely interrupting any of the daily game drives or other outings. The effect of these periodic rains is nothing short of spectacular.  First of all, it is very soothing to fall asleep to the sound of rain falling on your tent, and secondly, it is amazing to know that both the dust and the volume of safaris in the bush are much diminished from that of high season.  

During this time of year, Wanderful Tanzania brings our guests to the Ndutu plains in the Southern Serengeti. For a few precious weeks from February into March, the 2 million plus animals that make up the Great Migration herd return to these plains to bring more than 400,000 new babies into the world! It is simply paradise, with a wild edge!  

The verdant green landscapes and beautiful skyscapes make for a photographer’s dream! 

More benefits of the baby bloom season

  • Smaller crowds
  • Little to no dust
  • Fun mud-bogging is possible (and sometimes necessary)
  • Access to the spectacular Ndutu region (seasonal region of the Serengeti)
  • Soft light and drama!!! This time of year there are dramatic clouds and breathtaking skyscapes in every direction (a photographer’s dream!)
  • A slight chance for rainbows over the savannas
  • A chance to hear the sound of rain on your tent as you drift off to sleep
  • You’ll be immersed in the Great Migration as they gather on the Ndutu plains, where they will give birth to more than 400,000 babies between around the February timeframe.
  • There are beautiful birds, everywhere!
  • Love is in the air! (while the Great Migration is busy bearing their young, it seems like everyone else is mating!)

Your safari begins the moment you exit the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and are greeted by Wanderful Tanzania’s local guide(s). They will help you with your luggage and will take you to your first night’s accommodation at a beautifully appointed safari lodge in Arusha.

KLM / DELTA – Recommended airlines to Tanzania

Only a handful of airlines offer flights to Kilimanjaro Airport. Wanderful Tanzania has had the best luck with the Delta/KLM flight from Amsterdam, and recommend that carrier to all our guests. Other routes/carriers may cause the need to arrange additional accommodations due to early arrivals or early departures. Should you choose to fly a different route, please confer with Susie before booking. She can help you navigate the need for additional reservations/accommodations to ensure you have a smooth trip.

The central region of the Serengeti National Park is the thing dreams are made of! Granite kopjes (pr. co-pees) pop up, seemingly out of nowhere, and dot the landscape like islands in a sea of wind-blown grasses.

The park has a well-earned reputation for reliable and unforgettable wildlife encounters which, at times, seem to be around every bend in the road!

Be on the lookout for elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, and so much more! Your guide(s) will help you spot the big cats, as those are usually much harder to locate.

And the birds in the parks of Tanzania are nothing short of mind blowing in terms of volume, variety, and beauty!

Your next adventure will take place on the Ndutu Plains in the Southern Serengeti. This area was made famous by documentary and cinematic filmmakers, and by researchers such as Jane Goodall.

It is worth the early wake up to be one of the first groups to reach the crater floor on “Crater Day!” The primary goal of this day is to be on the lookout for the endangered Black Rhino. This will be your best shot at finding this element of the Big Five!

Although Tanzania has many wilderness and wildlife show pieces, this one is particularly difficult to put into words. With remarkable views from the ridge above, to the real action on the crater floor, the crater embodies a constant stir of wildlife and unspoiled scenes to keep you engrossed.

One of our past guests described Ngorongoro as “Where Heaven Meets Earth!” Another said it was like “A mixture of Narnia and Seuss, with just a dash of Jurassic Park!” However YOU describe it, it is a MUST-SEE on any Tanzanian safari!
 
Millions of years ago this enormous volcano collapsed and formed this massive CALDERA that we mistakenly refer to the “Ngorongoro Crater.” Present day, this caldera is now an incredible, self-sustaining ecosystem that boasts the highest density of African wildlife on Earth, and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot!

Often overlooked in the shadow of the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets—and a must-see on any well-rounded safari. You will spend your last two nights of the safari in this magical playground of sights and sounds!

Spanning nearly 2,850 square kilometers, Tarangire may be smaller than the Serengeti, but don’t let its size fool you. This park is teeming with life—and it’s here you’ll witness some of the largest herds of elephants in East Africa. Watch in awe as these gentle giants gather at ancient watering holes, dust themselves in red earth, and move gracefully beneath the towering silhouettes of iconic baobab trees.
 
These trees, many well over a thousand years old, rise from the savannah like natural cathedrals—silent witnesses to the ever-turning wheel of life on the African plains.
Tarangire’s beauty lies in its incredible ecological diversity. Your time in this park will unfold like a living canvas: grassy plains, acacia woodlands, river valleys, and seasonal marshes each offering their own cast of characters.
 
Your guide will do their best to explore as much of the park as possible, revealing its many moods and marvels.

Get ready to say goodbye to your safari guide(s) at the end of an incredibly spiritual journey. They have shared their knowledge, expertise and passion for Africa’s wilderness with you, making your safari experience safe, comfortable, and unforgettable.

These guys were complete strangers just 10 short days ago, but now they are your forever friends. Lunchtime on this final day is the perfect time to show your guides some love for keeping you safe and informed throughout the safar. They value and appreciate your gratuities, and will be incredibly grateful for whatever you choose to offer.

After lunch, all guests will have access to a day-use room that they can use to rest, relax, repack, shower, or whatever is needed to get you ready to head back to the airport for your homebound flights this evening.

It will be with amazing new memories and great satisfaction that we drop you back at the airport for your flights home. It is always hard to say goodbye to guests after what will surely be another fantastic safari… but just remember, you can come back. Once in a lifetime only makes sense if you let it!
 
Once home, we truly hope that you’ll tell your friends about the epic adventure and fun you had with Wanderful Tanzania! REFERRALS ARE OUR BIGGEST COMPLIMENT!

You’ll spend your first night in Tanzania at one of the adorable safari lodges in town. Gmodations are spread out amongst the beautifully manicured lawns and gardens, and guests can enjoy a meal or drink at their onsite restaurant and bar in the man building.

During your time in the Central Serengeti, you’ll be staying at one of the incredible tented camps in that region. While each camp has a different vibe, they are little havens of comfort and relaxation smack-dab in the middle of the bush! With all the amenities you could desire, they are truly a wonderful home away from home!

 
The sunrises and sunsets in the Serengeti are reliably breathtaking, as is the beauty of this wild and precious place. You can’t help but feel the tensions of the first world melt away, so be sure to stay present and soak in every detail of your safari. So once back at camp after a long day of game viewing, take a nice hot shower, get a bit of rest, and then head over to the campfire to have a drink before dinner and to watch one of those aforementioned sunsets. We hope these are the moments that give you pause, and let you simply relax and reflect on where you are, and the gifts from another day on safari.

 
Wanderful Tanzania selects only well-located and well-run tented camps that can truly deliver an amazing experience to our guests. Nothing beats a hot shower and a spacious, comfy place to relax after a long day of game driving, bumpy roads, and close-up wildlife encounters.

This spectacular property is located in the Karatu area of Tanzania. It provides ideal access to the Ngorongoro Crater, and is a splendid lodge at which to spend a couple of nights during the safari.

Although it is still a working coffee plantation, it is as refined and relaxing as any place in Africa! It has all of the amenities you could ask for… and then some! Guests will enjoy the chance to freely explore this vast property’s beautiful shade-grown coffee groves, exquisite gardens, manicured grounds, and sparkling swimming pool.

Guests are welcome to join a guided tour of the grounds each evening, or you are most welcome to just explore on your own. There are more than 600 acres of manicured gardens and groves to wander through. Perhaps you’d rather have a dip in the pool, or enjoy a massage or pedicure? Just check with the hotel staff to verify schedule of activities and spa openings!

Also, each evening the lodge offers a complimentary happy hour, poolside.

With some advanced planning, our “almost wallet-less” journeys can make safari dreams a reality for nearly everyone.

“Almost wallet-less“ means that we include about 90% of the total costs in the price of the safari, and then offer guests a flexible payment schedule which allows them to break the payments into smaller payments that can be made over many months leading up to the safari. The other 10% (+/-) of the associated costs is money that guests will need to bring in cash on the safari, which we talk about in detail in our Tour Packet, which we send out to every guest upon registration.

In fact, we guide you all the way through the paperwork and preparation needed before the safari. Our goal is for every guest to arrive in Tanzania relaxed and ready to enjoy their wild adventure, without needing to worry about their wallets.

Included

  • Pre-trip preparation and guidance, including detailed Tour Packet and series of infographics designed to make sure you are ready to safari
  • Arrival welcome by your safari guide(s) as you exit the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania
  • All transfers throughout the safari (to/from airports, hotels, tour-related excursions, etc.)
  • One-way bush plane flight from the Serengeti to Arusha (or vice versa)
  • Experienced, local, professional driver(s)/guide(s) (English speaking)
  • All accommodations at a variety of tented camps, safari lodges/resorts
  • All breakfasts and dinners, chef-prepared daily
  • All lunches (either hot lunch or box lunches, depending on daily schedule)
  • All snacks, water, coffee, and tea (alcohol & sodas are on your own)
  • All ground transportation in safari-modified Land Cruisers, inclusive of fuel
  • All taxes related to tourism
  • All park, service, conservancy, and entrance fees associated with safari itinerary

NOT Included

  • Airfare to/from Tanzania
  • Tips for driver(s), guide(s) and the staffs of the various camps & lodges – tipping guidelines are offered in Tour Packet
  • Beverages (beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks) purchased from lounges, camps, restaurants or stores. (Beverages are generally very inexpensive in Tanzania)
  • Travel and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Pre- or Post-Safari accommodations, transportation, meals, or tours
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