Lake Ndutu

The region is centered around two saline/alkaline lakes, Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek. These lakes are surrounded by dry soda pans and a sprawling forest of flat-topped acacia trees that extend for several miles in every direction. The nutrient-rich volcanic soil in this area produces the most mineral-dense grasses in the entire Serengeti, which is the primary reason the Great Migration gathers here to give birth. The landscape is a vibrant tapestry of shimmering alkaline waters, shaded forest canopies, and wide-open horizons.

Ndutu is a powerhouse of biodiversity, offering sightings that range from the massive to the microscopic:

• The Calving Epicenter: From December to April, the migratory herds “pour over the plains like a giant lawnmower.” This feast of fresh, nutrient-rich grass fuels the synchronized mass calving of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest.
• The Lake Crossings: In a mysterious spectacle, thousands of wildebeest and their young calves often take a “cold plunge” to cross the shallow waters of the lakes. Despite the ease of walking around them, the herds move through the water in a lemming-like fashion, a dramatic and often heart-wrenching sight for onlookers.
• The Elephant Stronghold: Ndutu is home to one of the Serengeti’s largest elephant concentrations. Keep an eye out for “Tabasco,” a notorious old bull easily identified by his single tusk.
• Predators Galore: The Masek Lion Pride is frequently found resting on the dry lakebeds, while the woodlands provide perfect cover for leopards and the rare caracal. Small-spotted genets and striped hyenas are also resident here.
• Arboreal Life: Because acacia trees flourish here, the area is dominated by the Maasai Giraffe. The canopy is also home to vervet monkeys and a profusion of birds, including the iridescent Fischer’s lovebird and the imposing Verreaux’s eagle-owl.