Game Drive
Game Drives in the Eastern Serengeti
Staying at Canopy Wilderness Camp in the Eastern Serengeti gives you the perfect base to explore this beautiful and wild part of the Serengeti. Early morning and late afternoon drives are the best times to see animals active and to capture the golden light for photography.
The Eastern Serengeti is known for its wide open plains, scattered acacia trees, and kopjes. During your drives, you may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and many types of antelope. The kopjes offer great spots to watch predators and enjoy stunning views across the savannah.
Game drives here give you a chance to see predator-prey interactions, big herds of herbivores, and a variety of birdlife. With fewer visitors than other parts of the Serengeti, you can enjoy a more peaceful and private safari experience.
Every game drive from Canopy Wilderness Camp is an opportunity to experience the Eastern Serengeti at its most natural, full of wildlife, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable moments.
Game Viewing at Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti – Calving Season
A Hot Air Balloon Safari over Ndutu Forest and the Southern Serengeti plains is one of the most special experiences during the calving season.
Your journey begins early in the morning before sunrise. As the balloon slowly rises into the sky, you will see the soft golden light spreading across the open plains and woodland areas of Ndutu. From above, the landscape looks endless and peaceful, with acacia trees, open grasslands, and small lakes shining in the morning light.
Between January and March, the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu area become the center of the Great Migration calving season. Thousands of wildebeest gather here to give birth, and during this time, you may see large herds spread across the plains with many newborn calves standing beside their mothers. From the air, it is possible to see hundreds, sometimes thousands, of animals moving together in beautiful patterns.
The calving season also attracts many predators. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and sometimes leopards follow the herds, creating dramatic wildlife moments. From the balloon, you may witness prey and predator interactions as nature unfolds below. It is a powerful and unforgettable sight.
You may also see zebras with young foals, gazelles with their babies, giraffes walking through the woodland, and elephants moving quietly between the trees of Ndutu Forest.
After landing, you will enjoy a special bush breakfast in the open plains, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
A balloon safari while staying at Canopy Migration Camp – Ndutu offers a unique view of the calving season, giving you a peaceful, scenic, and unforgettable way to experience new life and the raw beauty of the Serengeti.
Game Drives in Lamai & Mara River Experience
taying at Lamai Migration Camp places you in one of the most exclusive and wildlife-rich areas of the Northern Serengeti. The Lamai region is known for its rolling hills, rocky kopjes, open plains, and its close proximity to the Mara River — one of the key crossing points of the Great Migration.
Game drives are conducted in specially designed 4×4 safari vehicles, offering comfort, safety, and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The early morning and late afternoon drives are carefully timed to maximize animal activity and take advantage of the best light for photography.
During the migration season, thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather near the Mara River as they prepare to cross into or out of the Maasai Mara. Observing a river crossing is one of the most dramatic wildlife experiences in Africa. The herds often wait along the riverbanks before suddenly making their move, plunging into the water despite strong currents and the presence of large Nile crocodiles. This powerful moment is raw, emotional, and unforgettable.
The Lamai area is also home to strong resident lion prides, leopards in the riverine forests, cheetahs on the open plains, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and a wide variety of antelope species. The rocky kopjes provide excellent vantage points for predators and offer spectacular scenic views.
With fewer vehicles compared to other parts of the Serengeti, Lamai offers a more private and intimate safari experience. Every game drive from Lamai Migration Camp is designed to deliver exceptional wildlife encounters while maintaining respect for nature and conservation guidelines.
