Ten nights all in on cats — cheetah, lion and leopard at the tail of the great migration's calving season, in a group of no more than eight, with two of Tanzania's finest guides and a big cat biologist riding along.
Why this trip is different
Late March sits at the end of the calving season — the best predation window of the year — and past the February tourist crush. Optimal conditions for big cats, and remarkably few vehicles to share them with.
Your guides
Tanzania safari guide · wildlife biologist
Sosy was hired as Njozi Camp's resident wildlife biologist in January 2014 and now guides full-time for The Wild Source. He trained at Tropical College in Arusha in Tourism and Wildlife Management — a practical program built around field research techniques and live projects.
He was the principal investigator of our big cat research in the Ndutu–Serengeti region, and still contributes identifications of individual cheetah, leopard and lion prides. Through his years studying these cats he knows many of the individuals we meet on safari by sight and history — an asset the whole guiding team leans on.
Sosy has guided side by side with head guide and co-owner Deo Magoye, led The Wild Source's group safaris, and guided hundreds of private clients of his own.
Tanzania safari guide · wildlife photographer
Henry is a rising star in Tanzanian guiding. After Guides College he apprenticed for three years under Deo Magoye — known for producing the best young guides in the country — then joined the highly regarded Nasikia Camps across the Serengeti and Tarangire.
In his first full year there he was named Resident Guide of the Year, and won it again the next. Laid-back in style, infectious in enthusiasm, with a knack for finding animals and predicting what they'll do next.
In 2020 he came home to The Wild Source, where his skills serve the serious wildlife-viewing style we're known for. He's a talented wildlife photographer, too.
Day by day
A game-drive safari, and an intensive one — early starts, full days out with picnics, and camp schedules that bend around the wildlife rather than the clock.
Welcome to Tanzania. Arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). After immigration, luggage and customs, a representative of The Wild Source meets you at the exit for the transfer (approx. one hour) to The African Tulip in Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Overnight · The African Tulip
After breakfast, a 30-minute transfer to Arusha Airport for the bush flight to Ndutu Airstrip, where your guides, Sosy Maira and Henry Akeyo, meet you. Game driving begins immediately, with arrival at Njozi Camp in time to check in before dinner.
The Ndutu region is world-famous for cheetah and lion, and our timing marks the end of the great migration calving season — the best predation opportunities of the year for the area's big cats.
Njozi Camp is the base for our Tanzanian Big Cat Project, so your guides carry the most current information on the region's cats, and one of the project biologists joins your game drives.
Five full days to explore a vast environment: early departures with picnic breakfast and lunch, and the rare freedom to drive off-road — your guides find their own sightings and steer clear of vehicle concentrations.
Overnight · Njozi Camp Makao · 6 nights
Depart Njozi Camp after breakfast and continue on safari through the Ndutu region to the Naabi Hill gate of Serengeti National Park, then on via the Gol Kopjes — another cheetah hotspot — to Serengeti Plains Camp, superbly placed on the secluded eastern plains.
Two full days of game drives around the eastern kopjes: Barafu, Research Kopje, Soit le Montonyi and more. The Eastern Serengeti is known for exceptional cat viewing — cheetah stalking the plains, lions on the rocks, including the famed Pride Rock — with the flexibility to push into the Central Serengeti as the wildlife dictates.
Gazelle herds are common here, and the east sometimes turns up the rarer mid-sized mammals: honey badger, caracal, serval.
Overnight · Serengeti Plains Camp · 3 nights
A last morning game drive, transferring to Seronera Airstrip for the bush flight to Kilimanjaro (JRO) to connect with your international flights home.
Depending on your departure time, a dayroom is provided if needed.
Where you stay
A night in Arusha to land, then nine nights in two tented camps placed for exactly this season — one guide-owned, one on the quiet eastern plains.
Arusha, Tanzania · 1 night
An elegant boutique hotel in the heart of Arusha, designed with safari travelers in mind. Individually decorated rooms in warm African tones and local art, a swimming pool, the Zanzibar Lounge and Baobab Restaurant, and Swahili-style cooking.
Ndutu · Southern Serengeti · 6 nights
A small, seasonal, guide-owned tented camp built around flexibility. It follows the migration through the year, and from December to March sits on our own private 110 acres on the Makao Plains — just outside the park boundary, where off-road driving is allowed. Seven tents, en-suite with bucket showers, a mess tent and campfire, and meal times that bend around the game viewing.
Eastern Serengeti · 3 nights
Set on the edge of acacia woodland with grassland to the horizon: seven guest tents and a central lounge and dining area on raised wooden decks under stretched fly-sheets. Solar-powered, no permanent foundations, en-suite bathrooms with solar-heated water — remote comfort in an area with the region's largest cheetah population.
The project behind the trip
The Wild Source was the first safari operator to build a program to develop local wildlife biologists. Three of the original biologists are now guides — Sosy Maira, Fadhil Magoye and David Maira — and Yusuf Magoye leads the project today. It has now spent more than a decade observing and recording the big cats of the Serengeti region.
The project has since partnered with a wildlife-technology venture as its Tanzanian lead, using a custom AI system to build a master database of individually identified cats, and — under the mentorship of three retired American biologists — collects data systematically on phone and tablet forms in the field.
For you, it means guides who know the individual cheetah, leopard and lion prides of the Ndutu–Serengeti region by sight and history, and a biologist in the vehicle who can explain the behaviour in front of you. Late March in Ndutu is the peak zone and peak season of the project's work — which is exactly why this safari is timed as it is.
Safari costs
$8,250PER PERSON SHARING
This is the discounted price for payment by check or bank wire; the Visa/Mastercard price is the non-cash rate.
The single supplement is waived for the first two single travelers to confirm.
Limited to 8 participants. One guide and vehicle for up to 5 travelers; two guides and vehicles for 6–8.
From travelers
The Wild Source was founded by big cat researcher Bill Given, runs its own Tanzania ground operation from Arusha, and can tell you who your guide will be before you book.
“Sosy was THE reason we had a wonderfully successful adventure. His knowledge of the animals, and general knowledge of the area (from geology to tribal histories) is extensive. He is passionate about wildlife conservation and a brilliant teacher. We would NEVER consider going to Tanzania with anyone else.”
Cynthia A. · on Sosy
“Sosy Maira is the best guide I have ever had. He was extremely knowledgeable and found wildlife everywhere for us.”
Sheryl G. · on Sosy
“Henry was fantastic! He was personable, friendly, and very knowledgeable. We loved him and felt so fortunate to have gotten him.”
Kathy O. · on Henry
“Henry remembers what it means for a person to see safari for the first time, and he enthusiastically shares the wonder of seeing everything new. He's extremely knowledgeable, patient, and kind with a great sense of humor… It was fun to soak in the whole package.”
Nate P. · on Henry
Limited to 8 travelers
Bill Given founded The Wild Source and started the Big Cat Project. Send your questions and he will reply with the complete day-by-day, the camp details and the terms — take the time to write out exactly what you want to know. Prefer to talk? Call any weekday.
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Mountain Time. A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 90 days before departure.
Terms
A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking. Full payment is due 90 days before the tour date; bookings made inside 90 days are settled in full on confirmation.
If the government institutes a tax increase, The Wild Source reserves the right to extend the increase, which could apply to national park fees, departure taxes, and tourism tax.
Ready to book?
The Wild Source · Tanzania Big Cat Intensive · March 22 – April 1, 2027