Ndutu Safari Lodge

an interesting option out of season

Ndutu Safari Lodge is located in the Serengeti Southwest area of northern Tanzania.

This property is the oldest photographic safari property in Tanzania, having been originally created by George Dove in 1967, whose portrait hangs near the bar, his flamboyant waxed moustache rivalling some of the trophy horns mounted on the walls. George had given up professional hunting and chose the Ndutu area to create his photographic camp.

The lodge was taken over in 1986 by the present owners who began the gradual process of renovation. The aim of the management is to use local materials only which blend in with the rustic surroundings. Comfortable and attractive stone cottages have now replaced the original tents.

Over the years it has been the base for such well known wildlife film-makers and photographers as Hugo Van Lawick and the BBC.

The lodge has evolved over the years from a tented camp to a more substantial lodge. It is centred on a large main building, with gift-shop, bar, lounge and dining areas, leading out to a campfire.

There is a view of Lake Ndutu from the rooms and animals often pass right through the lodge, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles, impalas, elephants and lions, by day and night.

Additionally, resident genets present themselves in the dining room every evening, running along the rafters above the guests.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Ndutu Safari Lodge is in 34 substantial cottage rooms, each with a conventional indoor bathroom. Some of the rooms are slightly larger triples.

Activities

Ndutu Safari Lodge provides access to the following guided activities, not all of which are usually included in the price …

• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Bush meals
• Balloon safari : not included

Serengeti Southwest tends to feature in a very high proportion of trips during the Dec-Mar migration calving season, when it is the epicentre for wildlife viewing.

We also like to include it during the converse May-Nov dry season, when visitor numbers are very low, but there is still good resident wildlife in some areas.

Getting around

The majority of people visiting Serengeti Southwest do so as part of a guided overland safari, so they travel to their camp and around the area in their private vehicle.

A few people visit Serengeti Southwest in isolation, flying in and out of the airstrip at Ndutu. In this case they travel around the reserve with a vehicle and guide from their camp.

the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth