Ndutu Safari Lodge was first constructed in 1967 as a tented camp, by George Dove. Now visiting, it seems like a homely and quite natural lodge, made largely out of stone, that is set amongst the acacia trees which surround Lake Ndutu - in the midst of the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti.
(Technically, Ndutu is actually on the northern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – but because it's essentially a Serengeti experience, we've included it in this section on the Serengeti.)
Ndutu is relatively big by southern African standards; it has 34 very solid stone and thatch cottages. All offer comfortable but unfussy accommodation – with everything you need, but it's all very simple. Ndutu is a place to eat and sleep; but a visit here is much more about appreciating the area and the wildlife than admiring the décor.
Ndutu try quite hard to maintain an eco-friendly stance. They make briquettes of waste paper for burning, are in the process of installing solar power. Laundry is done by hand; no tumble driers here! The lodge has a generator but power consumption is kept to a minimum. Most of the fresh vegetables and meat come from the nearby town of Karatu, thereby supporting the local community.
The large, stone bar and restaurant area at Ndutu Safari Lodge has views out over the plain, and a fire-pit outside. It's a large, plain stone room with solid, functional wooden furniture; it feels a little the dining and living room of an overgrown farmhouse – with wildlife wandering around outside instead of domestic stock!
Inside, the bar's thatched ceiling is supported by exposed wooden beams which acted as a climbing frame for a local family of genets on the evening when we last visited.
A small, but constantly replenished, shallow bowl stands at ground level outside, about 20m from the front of the restaurant. This attracts a constant stream of small birds – particularly flocks of Fischer's lovebirds. These add much colour and noise to the scene!
Ndutu Safari Lodge offers an inexpensive and very central base from which to explore the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the plains of the northern section of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Oldupai Museum (aka Olduvai Museum) is only an hour's drive away, and the Ngorongoro Crater rim is about 2½ hours' dusty drive away. Travellers usually visit here with their own safari guide and driver – although the lodge does have two of its own vehicles and guides.
In the Ndutu area there are marshlands as well as two lakes (Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek) and expanses of woodlands – all surrounded by the Serengeti's grassy plains. Most safaris from the lodge will be on 4WD game drives, but keen walkers might note that with advanced notice, it may be possible to hire an NCAA ranger to lead a walk in the area.
Ndutu Safari Lodge employs roughly 80 staff who – when we last visited – were welcoming, warm and helpful, and seem to thoroughly enjoy their jobs and the many travellers that they meet.
Note that because Ndutu is very good value, and in a great location, it gets very booked up when the migration is passing through. You probably need to book at least a year in advance to be sure of finding space here!
Ideal length of stay: 2 nights – although when the migration is around, between about December to April, some guests will stay here for up to a week.
Central facilities: The bar area, in keeping with the rest of the lodge, has been constructed from local stone and thatch. It is a spacious area with built-in stone seats and views over to the soda lake, Lake Ndutu. There are also wicker chairs and wooden tables to sit around and discuss the sightings and excitements of the day. At night resident genet cats will sit on the rafters above the bar and watch while you enjoy a drink. The cool, stone walls are covered with animal skulls which add to the bush feel of the lodge.
Outside a roaring fire is lit in the evenings, making a social spot outside where you can watch the sun go down with a sundowner. Visiting in September 2007, this looked like a great spot for a gathering, and was certainly very popular with a BBC crew who were there to film 'Big Cat Diary'.
There is also a small shop next to reception which sells a good range of curios and toiletries.
Directions: Most visitors to Ndutu Safari Lodge will drive here, with their own safari guide and 4WD, although there is an airstrip (Ndutu Airstrip) about 1km from the lodge.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality:Breakfast runs from 7:00 – 9:30. It consists of a self-service buffet of fresh fruit, cereals and juices. A cooked breakfast and hot drinks can also be ordered from the waiter between the set times. For guests leaving earlier or later, Ndutu will arrange a packed breakfast.
Lunch at Ndutu is 12:30 – 2:00. The last time we were here we had a huge lunch, which all felt very home made – although it certainly wasn't gourmet. It started with soup, followed by a chicken and mushroom pie with plain vegetables and a fresh salad – all served to the table in glass bowls, from which we helped ourselves.
Dinner at the Safari Lodge is 7:30 – 9:00, 4 courses, and again substantial quantities all served in individual dishes to the table. The home-cooked feel of lunch was continued, with cauliflower cheese as well as other fresh vegetables – and rounded off by a profiterole. It's all good, fresh produce – and lots of it – but don't expect haute cuisine here.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Room service: Very limited. Guests can request early morning drinks to be delivered to their rooms before heading out on an early morning game drive.
Drinks included: No drinks are included; these are bought separately from the bar – and bar bills should normally be settled at the end of the evening in cash.
Special interests
Walking: The Serengeti National Park doesn't allow walking anywhere. However, Ndutu Safari Lodge is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – where walking safaris are allowed, provided that you are accompanied by an NCAA ranger. Such walks typically last around 2 hours and concentrate on the woodlands near Lake Ndutu; they usually need to be arranged in advance.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Walking
Wildlife: Ndutu Safari Lodge is a great base for visiting the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti, and northern side of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, including the Oldupai Gorge. Game drives and walks are possible here, with huge herds of wildebeest of the great migration congregating here, typically between about December and April.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: Ndutu Safari Lodge is very substantial, open and spacious – so it is one of the better lodges or camps in the area for children. Birds and animals are seen from the lodge, and there is a small box with a few games at the bar for guests use – so older children who can amuse themselves without excessive noise would be fine here.
However, due to the close proximity of dangerous game, we don't recommend Ndutu for very small children; even older children need to be supervised by their parents – as lion and other animals will occasionally wander through camp.
Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions at Ndutu.
Activities: Children's meals can be arranged.
Equipment: Babycots are available. During meal times, extra cushions will be placed on chairs.
Generally recommended for children: Yes – for older children (around 8-10 years old or more) who can be supervised by their parents.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is mobile phone reception at Ndutu, however guests are asked to use them only in their rooms; mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the public areas.
There is a fax machine and telephone at Ndutu which can be used by clients for an extra charge.
Guests can charge cameras / mobile phones in the bar during hours when the generator is running. There are UK-style plugs with three square pins, and a few of the newer rooms have sockets in.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio at Ndutu.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Ndutu has links with the Flying Doctors from Nairobi so in the event of a serious illness or accident clients can be evacuated. There is also a first aid kit at Ndutu and some staff have had basic first-aid training.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Ndutu ask all their guests to stay within the lodge grounds for their safety due to the wild animals. There are 6 night-watchmen on duty from the evening and throughout the night to escort guests to and from their rooms with torches.
Fire safety: There is a firebreak around Ndutu. All the rooms have fire extinguishers and some staff have been trained to use them.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available at an extra charge. All laundry is hand-washed and dried by the sun. Generally items sent to the laundry in the morning are returned later that day – weather permitting.
Money: Ndutu are happy to exchange currencies at the lodge for guests, however only in small amounts.
Accepted payment: Ndutu accept US$, Tanzanian Shillings, Sterling and Euros. The lodge also accepts travelers' cheques, Visa and Mastercard credit cards without any surcharge. However credit cards will only be accepted for amounts of US$20 and over.
We want you to understand more about Ndutu Safari Lodge. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Ndutu's homepage Very much in keeping with the lodge - their website is simple but functions well. Check out the achive at the botton of the 'What's happening?' page for recent diaries of Ndutu life!
