Ndutu Safari Lodge is situated in the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in the southern Serengeti eco-system. The lodge stands under a canopy of giant acacias overlooking a soda lake, Lake Ndutu. Ndutu Safari Lodge offers a superb base to explore the Serengeti landscape. All the different habitat ranges are within easy reach: woodlands, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains.

Established in 1967 by professional hunter George Dove, Ndutu Safari Lodge is one of the earliest permanent lodges in the area and has become something of an institution over the years. On the southern shore of Ndutu soda lake, amongst acacia woodland, in a good position for the migration in the calving season, midway between the crater and Seronera Lodge in the Serengeti. A low-key and underrated retreat, Ndutu Safari Lodge has a distinct bush atmosphere. The rooms are in small unfussy stone chalets and have netting and hot water. The bar and restaurant are open-sided stone and thatch structures. This is an excellent place to stay if you want to avoid the crowds and the surrounding plains offer good general game viewing, particularly during the wet season

Location

Although it is actually situated just within the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area on the southeast border with the Serengeti, Ndutu Safari Lodge is usually bracketed with the Seronera lodges, since the western pains belong to the same seasonal ecosystem.

The Background

Lake Ndutu is an alkaline lake which lies south of the B142 on the Ngorongoro-Serengeti border, When it is full, Maasai use it to water their cattle. In the rainy season it supports large numbers of animals. The acacia woodland around the lake supports different birds to those in the surrounding areas. Nduto was, for over 20 years, home to the famous wildlife photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick, one of the first filmmakers to bring the Serengeti to the attention of the world. He died in2002 and was granted the honour of a full state funeral before being buried at Ndutu.

Wildlife highlights

The Ngorongoro Crater hosts a large population of ungulates and high numbers of predators, particularly lion. The only absentees from the usual East African large mammals are the giraffe, impala and female and young elephants.

Accommodation

Ndutu Safari Lodge offers 34 stone cottages. The rooms extend from the central, open-sided bar, lounge and dining room. Each room has its own verandah overlooking Lake Ndutu. All Ndutu Safari Lodge rooms have en-suite facilities. The Ndutu Safari Lodge cottages are made from local materials and offer comfortable, tasteful accommodation. All rooms accessible by wheelchair. Generator electricity, no hair dryer use, torches and candles provided. Laundry service, telephone and fax at reception, gift shop, medical services.

Dining and bars

Ndutu Safari Lodge offers good home cooking (breakfast, 3-course lunch, 4-course dinner. Tea/coffee complementary all day. Much of the produce is sourced from the local Gibb’s Farm. There is also a bar, while in the evenings, drinks can be taken around the campfire where genet cats often appear.
Conference and event facilities

Ndutu Safari Lodge does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings. Tanzania lodge incentives can also be arranged within the Ngorongoro Crater or the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Weddings and honeymoons

This Tanzania lodge makes an ideal Tanzania wedding destination. The lodge also offers wedding and honeymoon packages.

Child-friendly facilities

Ndutu Safari Lodge welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds. There is also a family room available (2 adults 2 children).

What to see and do
-    Sundowners on the rim of the crater, full English breakfast on the floor of the crater.
-    Picnic lunch by the hippo pools on the crater floor.
-    Early morning breakfast on the crater floor
-    Maasai dance and theatre nightly
-    Visits to Maasai villages and cattle markets
-    The lodge works closely with the surrounding Maasai community and offers visits to Maasai Manyattas and handicraft centres. Traditional Maasai dance displays are held regularly. The Lodge is also within easy reach of Ol Duvai Gorge, the Paleolithic site and reputed ‘birthplace of mankind’.

Typical Tanzania safari experiences at Ndutu Safari Lodge include: morning or afternoon tours of the Ngorongoro Crater, safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Tanzania safari guides) around the crater rim, safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the lodge safari campfire and guided safari walks around the crater rim, visits to view ancient rock art. Ndutu Safari Lodge also offers ornithological tours, cultural performances and visits to the local Maasai people of Tanzania.

Wildlife and cultural venues in the vicinity of the lodge and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area include: Ol Duvai Gorge – world renowned paleolithic site; The Serengeti National Park; Lake Manyara National Park; The nearby Empaki volcanic crater; Tarangire National Park.