The Ndutu Area is located in the north western sector of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It lies between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. The Ndutu plains cover a very wide area of more than 8,000 square kilometers. These open plains stretch across the border of Ngorongoro and Serengeti, making Ndutu a key wildlife area in northern Tanzania.
The Ndutu Area is most famous for the wildebeest calving season. Calving takes place from December to March, with the highest numbers usually seen in January and February. During this period, more than 7,500 wildebeest calves are born in the Ndutu plains. The grass is short and fresh during the rainy season, which makes it easier for young calves to feed and move.
Because the calves are still weak and slow, predators are very active at this time. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunt often in the Ndutu Area during the calving months. For travelers who want to see predator action, this is one of the best times to visit Ndutu. Apart from wildebeests, visitors can also see zebras, elephants, antelopes, giraffes, and many bird species.
The Ndutu Area also offers wide open views of famous landmarks. On clear days, you can see the Ngorongoro Crater highlands, Olduvai Gorge, and Ol Doinyo Lengai in the distance. The Maasai people live around this area, and their culture is still very strong. Visitors may see Maasai herders moving with their cattle across the plains.
How to Get to the Ndutu Area
The Ndutu Area can be reached by road or by air. Driving from Arusha takes about six hours. The drive passes through scenic landscapes and wildlife areas. For those who prefer to fly, there are scheduled and charter flights from Arusha Municipal Airport to Ndutu.
Lake Ndutu Airstrip
The Lake Ndutu Airstrip is located close to Lake Ndutu. The runway is about 1.3 kilometers long and can handle small aircraft. Flights land here daily, especially during the calving season. The airstrip is well placed for lodges and camps in both Ndutu and nearby parts of Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
Lake Ndutu
Lake Ndutu is a shallow alkaline lake found in the south eastern part of the Serengeti, close to the Ngorongoro boundary. The lake is surrounded by acacia trees, which attract many animals and birds. Wildlife gathers here to drink water and graze on nearby grass.
Ndutu has been an important research and filming area since the 1960s. Well known researchers such as Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick used Ndutu as a base for their work. The lake shares the same basin with Lake Masek, which lies further east.
In 1973, research around Lake Ndutu led to the discovery of ancient mineral remains. These findings helped confirm that early human activity existed in this region more than 500,000 years ago. Today, Ndutu remains one of the best places for wildlife viewing, research, and safari experiences in northern Tanzania.
