Ndutu calving season: what you can expect on safari
Expect green plains with herds to the horizon, newborn calves learning to run within minutes, and predators that have the pick of the plains.
A typical day
You leave camp around dawn with a packed breakfast. Your guide checks with other guides by radio to find where the herds spent the night. Most of the day is spent on the plains, with lunch in the vehicle or at a shaded spot, and you return before sunset.
Births
A wildebeest calf stands within minutes and runs within the hour. You may see births close to the vehicle, particularly in the morning.
Predators
Lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow the herds. Cheetah hunts on the open plains are one of the highlights of the season. Jackals and vultures are everywhere.
The landscape
After the short rains the plains are green and flowering. Afternoon storms bring dramatic skies and good light for photography.
At a glance
- Days
- early starts, full days on the plains
- Weather
- warm days, cool nights, short storms
- Vehicle numbers
- moderate, fewer than the northern crossings
- Bring
- warm layer, rain jacket, binoculars
What to bring
A light rain jacket, a warm layer for the mornings, a hat, and dust protection for the camera. A beanbag and a long lens are useful.
What not to expect
Crowds of vehicles at every sighting. Calving season is busy, but the plains are big. Nor should you expect the herds to be in the same place from one day to the next.
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