Ndutu Safari Lodge

Ndutu Safari Lodge is one of Tanzania's most iconic and time-honored safari lodges, established in 1967 by George Dove (the oldest photographic safari property in Tanzania). Located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the edge of the Southern Serengeti plains, the lodge nestles under a canopy of giant acacia trees overlooking Lake Ndutu, a shimmering soda lake. The rustic, authentic lodge allows safari-goers to get right into the soul of Tanzania's world-famous Serengeti park, hidden unpretentiously among thorny acacia trees and brushing grasslands.

Rooms

The lodge comprises 34 comfortable stone and thatch en-suite cottages that blend rustic charm with modern amenities. Each cottage faces Lake Ndutu and has its own private verandah from which to enjoy wraparound views of the ever-changing landscape, swamps, soda lakes, and shimmering lake. Rooms feature large wooden beds, African fabrics, lots of character, and are clean, basic, and comfortable. Some rooms are slightly larger triples. Cottages are made from local materials only, used to blend in with rustic surroundings and maintain low-impact tourism.

General facilities

The lodge is centered on a large main building with relaxed open-sided bar, lounge, dining room, and gift shop, all overlooking views of Lake Ndutu and the bush. The central area is convivial and relaxed, with mealtimes being decadent affairs featuring buffet breakfasts, three-course lunches, and four-course dinners with simple homestyle food. Every evening, staff and visitors gather around the campfire to exchange stories from game drives, emphasizing authenticity and world-class Serengeti safari experience.

About

Ndutu offers a superb base to explore the Serengeti landscape with easy access to all different ranges of habitats: swamps, woodlands, soda lakes, and the world-famous short grass plains of Serengeti. The lodge is within easy reach of a range of habitats, and even while at the lodge you're surrounded by flocks of chirping birds and occasional wild animals that wander through camp. Animals often pass right through the lodge – giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles, impalas, elephants, and lions – by day and night.

The location is famous for experiencing the Great Migration (December to April), when mega herds congregate to calve, attracting large numbers of cheetah, leopard, lion, and hyena. Nearby attractions include Olduvai Gorge (remnants of early human occupation), Seronera and Ngorongoro (2 hours by car), and the lodge's airstrip can be reached from Arusha in 50 minutes. The lodge has been a favorite with professional wildlife photographers and filmmakers for the past four decades because it's simply one of the best places to watch wildlife.

The lodge offers peace, tranquillity, and exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year, with peace and serenity surrounding the property. It's surrounded by acacia woodland and neighbouring a small lake, with the verdant Ngorongoro Crater highlands serving as backdrop. The lodge offers peace, tranquillity, generous hospitality, and homely warmth steeped in history – a return to nature and primal instincts in a truly wild destination.