Overview
Around lakes Ndutu and Masek, the migration gathers each year to calve on the nutritious short grass. Thousands of calves are born every day at the peak, drawing lions, cheetahs and hyenas, and off-road driving is allowed here.
Ndutu lies in the southern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where it meets the Serengeti plains. Around the soda lakes Ndutu and Masek, the short volcanic grasses are rich in minerals, which is why the wildebeest come here to give birth.
From December to March the plains can hold hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra, and the predators follow. Outside calving season the area is quiet, and many seasonal camps close.
Highlights
- Calving season (Jan–Mar)
- Cheetahs and lions hunting
- Off-road game drives
- Seasonal tented camps
Things to do here
Wildlife to look for
- Wildebeest calves
- Cheetah
- Lion
- Hyena
- Serval
Good to know
Best time to visit
December – March
Getting there
About 5–6 hours by road from Arusha, or fly to the Ndutu airstrip.
Where to stay
Seasonal tented camps from December to March, and a classic lodge on Lake Ndutu.
How long to stay
2–3 nights
Key facts
- Area
- Southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area, bordering the Serengeti
- Lakes
- Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek (soda lakes)
- Peak season
- Calving, January – February
Seasons
Calving season (December – March)
The herds gather on the short-grass plains; calving peaks in February. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas are active, and cheetah sightings are frequent.
Rest of the year
The herds move north from about April. The area is quiet and some camps close until the next season.
Practical tips
- Book camps well ahead for February, the peak of calving.
- Combine with the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
It is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, right on the Serengeti border. The landscape and the migration are the same; the park fees are paid to the conservation area.
Itineraries visiting Ndutu & Southern Serengeti
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