Tribes Travel

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Tribes Travel, 12 The Business Centre, Earl Soham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 7SA, UK

Tribes Travel

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Ndutu Safari Lodge

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About Ndutu Safari Lodge

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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.

Information

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Highlights

  • Great option for viewing the Great Migration (Dec - March)
  • Easy access to both the Ngorongoro Conservation area and the Serenegeti National Park
  • Good for wildlife even in the dry season due to the permanent waterholes.
  • One of the smaller properies in the Serengeti Ecosystem.
  • Option of walking safaris which aren't possible in the Serengeti.

Situation

Ndutu Safari Lodge is situated in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the southern Serengeti eco-system. The Lodge nestles unobtrusively under a canopy of giant acacias overlooking a soda lake, Lake Ndutu.

Activities

Game drives; bush walks; birdwatching; excursions to Olduvai Gorge.

Facilities

Ndutu Safari Lodge consists of 34 ensuite stone cottages that extend from the central, open-sided bar, lounge and dining room.

Child policy

Children of all ages can be accommodated.

Open

Open all year round.

Best time

Tanzania's main rainy season runs from April until the beginning of June. There is also a short rainy season in November. The Migration usually arrives in the Southern Serengeti around the beginning of December with the animals staying until March.

Inclusions

Game drives and bush walks.

Meals

Full board.

Pricing guidelines for Tanzania

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £600 to £800 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Tanzania can combine easily with other East African countries.

For each accommodation on this website you will find an indication of the price. The bands are based on the price per person per night at peak season and are represented by the following values for this country:
£

  £50 to £150

££

  £150 to £300

£££

  £300 to £500

££££

  £500 to £800

£££££

  Over £800

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

  • Example tripPrice per person
  • 1 week high quality safari in the northern circuit (eg with Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Manyara, Tarangire ...)Between £2500 and £3500
  • 2 week southern Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holidayBetween 3000 and £4000
  • 1 week stay on an Indian Ocean island (Zanzibar, Mafia, Chole, Pemba)From £1000 +
  • 1 week Kilimanjaro climbAround £1500

Tribes Advisor

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Ndutu is the only 'lodge' in this area and is usually very busy and booked up well in advance.  The atmosphere is nice and the position great, particularly early in the year for the migration. But the rooms are small and very close together and the lounge and dining area large with buffet food.  It's a totally different experience to the tented camps, so if you want a solid lodge then it's great, but make sure you book a year or so in advance for Jan - March as it gets very booked up!

Julie Croucher, Africa Sales Manager, visited 2008

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