Ndutu Lodge

Experience the authentic soul of the Serengeti at Ndutu Lodge. Founded in 1967 and a favorite of legends like Jane Goodall, this historic retreat offers a front-row seat to the Great Migration’s calving season amidst a "forgotten forest" of flat-topped acacias.

Details

Ndutu Lodge (also known as Ndutu Safari Lodge) is more than a place to sleep—it is a storied experience. Founded by George Dove in 1967, it exudes a charismatic, down-to-earth charm that has long made it a sanctuary for world-renowned authors, filmmakers, and biologists. Luxury here is defined not by opulence, but by character, history, and basic elegance.

The lodge is tucked into a pocket of “forgotten forest,” hidden beneath a lush canopy of flat-topped acacia trees on the banks of Lake Ndutu. The atmosphere is unpretentious and unfussy, epitomizing the true spirit of safari. Guests can relax in the open-air lounge, watch iridescent lovebirds flit through the dining room, or spot “ghost-like” genet cats gliding along the banana rafters in the evening.

The Heart of the Southern Plains

Ndutu Lodge is strategically situated in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), just south of the Serengeti National Park border. This unique location allows for off-road driving and walking safaris, offering a level of freedom not found within the park itself.

The Tactical Advantage:

Migration Epicenter: From December to May, the Great Migration floods these short-grass plains. The lodge is the ultimate base for witnessing the arrival of the herds.
Research Heritage: Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick famously used Ndutu as a base for their pioneering studies on wild dogs, hyenas, and jackals.
Resident Surprises: While it shines in the green season, the resident acacia woodlands provide refuge for elephants, giraffes, and leopards year-round.

The Southern Circuits

Ndutu serves as the central hub for exploring the most diverse habitats of the southern ecosystem:

Lake Ndutu: A saline/alkaline soda lake at the heart of the southern plains. It is a magnet for wildlife, where you can watch families of elephants bathing along the shoreline or predators stalking the open soda pans.
Matiti Plains & Twin Hills: These plains are the primary calving grounds for the wildebeest from January to March. The open terrain is essential for newborn calves, which can stand within seven minutes. This is also one of the premier locations in the Serengeti to view cheetahs.
Kusini Plains: A “secret” and seldom-traveled area where grasslands fade into acacia woodlands. The crown jewel is Kusini Crater, a circular grassy plain encircled by trees, famous for high wildlife concentrations including buffalo and striped hyena.
Hidden Valley: Located 14 miles northwest of the lodge, this “secret spot” is a water catchment area far from any road. During the green season, its waterhole attracts massive clans of spotted hyenas and offers some of the park’s most intense predatory action.

The Stone Cottages

The lodge consists of 32 charming thatched bungalows constructed from indigenous stone to blend harmoniously with the landscape.

The Guest Experience:

Cottage Comfort: Each unit features a semi-private veranda looking toward the lake through the acacia trees. Rooms are spacious and well-furnished with either two twin beds or a queen-size bed.
Natural Refinement: Furnishings include a handcrafted writing desk and nightstand, complete with informative pamphlets on the Serengeti Cheetah Project and local history.
Mineral Springs: The en suite bathrooms feature hot showers with water pumped from a nearby mineral-rich waterhole, giving the water a unique, “soapy” feel.

Farm-to-Table Freshness

The dining at Ndutu represents some of the best in the Serengeti, thanks to its affiliation with Gibbs Farm in the nearby crater highlands.

Fresh Produce: Organic produce is trucked in regularly from the fertile highlands, ensuring every meal is fresh and wholesome.
Service Style: Meals are served on a fixed 3-to-4-course basis rather than buffet-style, with a dedicated waiter assigned to you for the duration of your stay.
The Open-Air Bar: The central hub of the lodge, perfect for sharing tales of the day’s sightings over a reasonably priced selection of beer, wine, and spirits.

The Safari Boutique: Renowned as having one of the best-stocked gift shops in the Serengeti, featuring unique, hand-picked treasures.
Off-Road Access: As part of the NCA, guests enjoy the rare privilege of off-road driving to get closer to the calving herds.
Ndutu Walking Safaris: Guided hikes around the soda lake shores provide a different perspective of the ecosystem (ranger required).
Resident Genets: A unique lodge tradition where beautiful genet cats appear in the lounge rafters every evening like clockwork.

Nearby Attractions

Seasonal Highlights

Month	Season	Weather	Wildlife Sightings	Rec.
Jan	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Feb	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Wildebeest Calving	Yes
Mar	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Apr	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
May	Northward Migration	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Jun	Beginning of Dry Season	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant (early June only)	Yes
Jul	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Aug	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Sep	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Oct	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Nov	Southward Migration	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Giraffe, gazelle, Walking Safaris and Cultural Interactions	Yes
Dec	Beginning of Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes