Ndutu Area (Ngorongoro) Highlights
The famous Great Migration settles on the plains from about December end to March/April
Calving season on the plains (January through to March)
In the dry season (June To November) resident animals gather at waterholes – Elephant, giraffe, big cats
All six cat species reside here year-round (leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat)
Prolific birdlife
Olduvai Gorge – fascinating archaeological site
Lakes Ndutu and Masek, soda lakes
Calving usually takes place between January, February and march of each year. In January the herds begin making their way to the south of the Serengeti after the rains start falling. The question of how the herds know when it is raining or not is something many people have questioned and the answer is that we actually do not know! Many people say that they can smell the rain, others believe they can sense when the pressure in the air changes. The only thing we know for sure is that where it rains, the herds follow. Within a two to three-week time period, over half a million wildebeest are born with as many as 8 000 wildebeest being born on the same day! The herds spend the majority of these three months in the Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation areas, although not within the crater itself. Many years ago, volcanoes in the area would erupt and the volcanic ashes that are left behind have led to the soil being rich in nutrients meaning that the grass that grows here is perfect for young wildebeest to munch on and build up their strength in the first few weeks of their lives. The zebra and gazelle that join the thousands of wildebeest on their journey eat the grass shoots that are less appetizing to the baby wildebeest, leaving behind only the most nutrient-rich grass shoots that are freshly sprouted and soft enough for young wildebeest mouths to pull from the earth. These grasses are also said to help aid the wildebeest mothers in lactating and making sure their milk is full of the goodness needed to raise strong and healthy babies