Ndutu Safari Lodge is situated in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the southern Serengeti eco-system, set under a canopy of giant acacias overlooking a soda lake, Lake Ndutu. The safari lodge still has the informal, intimate feeling of the original bush camp, built by legendary hunter George Dove in the 60's. It offers a superb base in which to explore the range of habitats that lie within easy reach, including swamps, woodlands, soda lakes and the world famous Serengeti short grass plains.
Wildlife abounds at Ndutu -from spectacular birdlife to elephants, hyenas, zebras, lions and millions of wildebeest. They come here particularly from about December to May. They calve on the plains in February, gallop through the woodlands and swim across the lake. From June through November, the plains are dry and the great herds gone. This is the time when the resident animals converge around Ndutu's waterholes and marshes - elephants, giraffes, impalas, every kind of cat, a profusion of birds. As a result, it has been a favourite with professional wildlife photographers and film-makers for the past four decades.
Ndutu Safari Lodge consists of 34 single-storey stone cottages that extend from the central, open-sided bar, lounge and dining room. Each cottage has its own verandah overlooking Lake Ndutu and all rooms have en-suite facilities. The cottages are made from local materials and offer comfortable, tasteful accommodation. Four rooms have a king-size bed, there are also four family rooms, which can accommodate up to four people. All other rooms have 2 single beds. All the rooms are accessible with a wheel chair.
Ndutu Safari Lodge offers a full laundry service, and there are phone, fax, email and internet facilities and a gift shop. There is 220 volt electricity, and torches and candles in each room for when the generator is switched off at night.
The lodge is renowned for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, good service, and simple food well cooked. In the evening guests can relax in the cosy bar - where nocturnal genets often sit in the rafters - or enjoy the campfire under millions of stars.
The lodge was originally created by George Dove - his portrait hangs in the dining-room, where his flamboyant waxed moustache rivals some of the trophy horns mounted on the walls! He had given up professional hunting at an early stage and chose the Ndutu area as a regular campsite. It was wild and remote, giving easy access to the Serengeti Plains for his clients.
During the 1960's, as tourism steadily increased in Tanzania, George Dove saw the need for a more permanent base in the area, and he was welcomed by the then Conservator of Ngorongoro, Mr. S. ole Saibull, who allowed him to build on the Ndutu site. Several distinguished zoologists and photographers, such as Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick stayed at Ndutu and studied, filmed and wrote about wild dogs, hyenas and jackals in the area.
All the supplies, varying from nails to fresh food have to be bought in by road, either from Karatu (140 km away) or Arusha (280 km away), as does diesel and fuel which powers the lighting via the generator. Most of the fresh vegetables and meat are supplied from Karatu.
There is an airstrip 1 Km away from the lodge. Approximate flying time from Arusha Airport to Ndutu is 50 minutes. Free transfers are available to transport guests to and from Ndutu airstrip to the lodge.
Activities: game drives, birdwatching, guided walks in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
