SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The Ndutu region is one of the best locations for wildlife safaris in Africa. In 1951, the area, including the Ngorongoro Crater, was declared Serengeti National Park. In 1959, the area was split into two zones: the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), where the Maasai were permitted to live, and the fully protected Serengeti National Park, where this was no longer allowed. Ndutu ended up situated on the border of the Serengeti NP and the NCA, just inside the NCA. Lake Ndutu is part of the Serengeti, while the surrounding shores are part of the NCA.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA (NCA)
Our safari begins at the Loduare Gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), 15 minutes after leaving the village of Karatu. From there, we drive gradually up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, which is also part of the NCA. We always visit the crater at the end of the trip, after our visit to Ndutu. We do take a look into the crater from above, where we will see the first black rhinos, small grey dots. On the way to Ndutu, we descend towards the Serengeti and see mainly giraffes, close by on the left and right. A few meters before Serengeti NP, we turn left. It is then only a 28-kilometer drive along the border of the national park. Among wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras.
More information is to be found on NDUTU – THE SECRET SERENGETI.
EARLY YEARS – FROM PIONEERS CAMP TO NDUTU TENTED CAMP
In the 1950s, there was a pioneer camp at Lake Ndutu on the site of the lodge, which was used by hunters, photographers, filmmakers, and conservationists. The famous researchers Marie and Louis Leakey, who had begun archaeological excavations in Olduvai, also stayed there. In the early 1960s, Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick used it as a base for their work in the Serengeti. In 1968, George Dove started a permanent camp there, the Ndutu Tented Camp. After the sale in 1974, the camp fell into disrepair, after which it was purchased and renovated in 1985 by Aadje Geertsema and Margaret Gibb. The tents made way for 34 stone cottages, and the name was changed to Ndutu Safari Lodge.
TRADITIONAL SAFARI LODGE
The Ndutu Safari Lodge is a unique, traditional safari lodge. Arriving at the parking lot after a game drive feels like coming home. Small, cozy, with genuine personal attention. You arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. I have guests who have been there with me three times already. It really is my happy place too!
Take a look at the NDUTU SAFARI LODGE website for yourself. Many of the photos on the website were taken by me during the 9 days I was a guest at the lodge in 2015 for an assignment for National Geographic Traveler. Photos that you can also see in my gallery TANZANIA.
