After breakfast in Arusha, depart with your private safari guide and begin the journey toward the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu.nnThe journey takes you through the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania, gradually moving from the highlands toward the open plains of the Serengeti ecosystem. As you approach Ndutu, the safari begins.nnRather than treating the journey as a simple transfer, we make it part of the safari experience. Once entering the wildlife areas, your guide begins an en-route game drive, looking for wildlife along the way. Depending on the season and wildlife movements, you may encounter wildebeest and zebra herds, giraffe, Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, elephants, ostrich, antelope, lions, hyenas, cheetahs and a variety of resident and migratory bird species.nnAs you reach the Ndutu plains, the landscape changes dramatically into vast open grasslands dotted with seasonal lakes and acacia woodland.nnAfter checking into your camp or lodge and enjoying some time to settle in, head out for an evening game drive across the Ndutu plains. This is a particularly atmospheric time of day, when the light becomes softer and wildlife activity often increases. During the calving season, the short grass gives excellent visibility across the plains, while predators patrol the edges of the enormous herds.nnReturn to camp as the sun sets.

Enjoy breakfast before departing Ndutu and beginning the journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The morning drive provides another opportunity to enjoy the changing landscapes and wildlife of the conservation area.nnDescend approximately 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. The crater floor is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, ostrich, flamingos and other waterbirds, and numerous resident bird species.nnThe crater provides a completely different wildlife experience from Ndutu. Ndutu is about the migration, newborn life and predator action across open plains. Ngorongoro is about a remarkably concentrated resident wildlife ecosystem inside a dramatic volcanic landscape.nnAfter your crater experience, ascend to the crater rim and continue to your lodge within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge and enjoying the highland atmosphere.