Ndutu Conservation Area

The Ndutu conservation area is located at the intersection of two magnificent wilderness areas; it is a portion of the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area and extends to the unfenced southern Serengeti National Park. In this area of the park, you may see acacia forests and bending grasslands dotted with alkaline lakes that are a magnet for flamingo flocks.

During the dry season (June–November), visitors to the Ndutu conservation area can observe animals congregating around waterholes. The region is home to giraffe, elephant, hyena, and antelope species that live there all year. You can see lions, cheetahs, leopards, servals, African wild cats, and caracals at any time of year.

From December through April, when the Great Migration herds of gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras return from the north, the Ndutu conservation area is at its most beautiful. Wildebeest herds give birth on the lush grassy plains in the early months of the year, reaching a peak in February. The daily birth of hundreds of babies attracts predators like cheetahs, lions, and hyenas.

Key points to note about Ndutu conservation area

Observing the entire Great Migration cycle—from the herds’ December return to graze, to the calving that occurs in January and February, and finally, to their April departure as they begin their journey north—is a major draw to the Ndutu region. At cadang season, the action really heats up: on a daily basis, a million wildebeest give birth to eight thousand offspring, and as soon as they start walking, predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas go for them.

In the months of December through April, massive herds swarm to the area surrounding Lake Ndutu to graze and give birth, making it the best place to see wildlife in the Ndutu Region. Wildlife abounds in the granite kopjes and woods surrounding Lake Ndutu, even when migration isn’t in full swing.

Wildlife in ndutu conservation area

The Ndutu Region is a great place to see six different kinds of cats: serval, leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, and African wildcat. Cats are visible at any time of year, but January and February are prime viewing months since that’s when the young animals are most vulnerable—during calving.

The rich cultural history of Ndutu is as much a part of a vacation there as the beautiful scenery and animals. One of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, Olduvai Gorge (or Oldupai, the correct Maasai spelling) is located in the Ndutu Region and is famous for the finding of the first signs of our hominin ancestors’ existence. Spend some time at the museum learning about the intriguing excavations and discoveries that have taken place here before visiting the magnificent ravine. Stopping by the adjacent Shifting Sands, enigmatic and picturesque dunes made of shifting volcanic ash, is a must-do for any tourist visiting Olduvai Gorge.

The Ndutu conservation area

Those seeking adventure can embark on multi-day walking safaris that begin in the Ndutu region and traverse the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. For the very daring, they can combine this with an ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano.

One of the best things about staying in the Ndutu Region is going on a day trip to the Ngorongoro Crater. One of the most beautiful wilderness places on the African continent, the Ngorongoro is the remnants of a huge volcano and is home to some of the continent’s most abundant animal populations, especially carnivores.

Ndutu conservation Area Travel advice

Since Ndutu does not have any public campgrounds, it is not the ideal area for those on a budget. Staying in one of the area’s mid-range mobile tented campgrounds would be your most budget-friendly alternative.
Tents and lodges tend to be on the pricier side, as is typical across the Serengeti. Lodges are often only open for business during the winter months of November through March since wildlife is quite seasonal.
Keep in mind that if you’re staying in one park and doing game drives in another, you’ll need to pay park fees for both parks. The Ndutu Region’s camps and lodges may be found in either the Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The Ndutu area is accessible from Arusha via road, which takes around six hours and passes via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ndutu area is home to multiple airstrips, and a flight from Arusha will take you right to your resort, making it a great alternative to self-driving.