Lake Ndutu
Lake Ndutu : Everything To Know : A salty lake called Ndutu is situated in the heart of the southern Serengeti. It becomes a wonderland with amazing sightings throughout the green season. It is located near the acacia forests in the Southern Plains. From December to April, when there are only wildebeests and zebras as far as the eye can see, the migration halts here. The birth of cubs coincides with the herds’ period of rest in this region. Because of the predators that are waiting to jump their prey by taking advantage of a moment of weakness, it is a stunning spectacle that is also painful.
Lake Ndutu provides water to the nearby hotels, campgrounds, and other establishments, in addition to the wildlife. Slightly to the east of it, in the Ngorongoro conservation area, it shares the same basin with Lake Masek.
The Ndutu cranium and various tool remnants dating back more than 500,000 years were found at an archaeological excavation site of 140 square meters that was conducted in 1973 near the shores of Lake Ndutu.
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS: WHAT TO DO AND SEE THERE?
seeing wildlife, since most of the day’s activity occurs in the morning when more animals come to drink from it. Thomson’s gazelle, wildebeest (during season), zebra, giraffe, and flamingos are a few of the more popular ones. Other locations close to Lake Ndutu that are worth seeing are:
Triangle
This beautiful plain has a lot of different species living there. This plain becomes a low grassland during the wet season, drawing in a lot of herbivorous animals, including zebras, gazelles, and wildebeests, as well as some carnivores like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Additionally, ocelots, storks, and hartebeests can be seen traveling here from Europe to escape the harsh winter. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see exciting hunting scenes around this time. There are no reliable water sources in this area. Thus, the species that can dwell here are scarce during the dry season.
Hidden Valley
Approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Ndutu, the Hidden Valley is, as its name implies, a hidden location off of the beaten path. You have to veer off course to get there. It’s really just a hole in the ground that gets filled with water during the rainy season and draws animals in.
While predators lurk around, waiting for the ideal opportunity to leap them, herbivores come here to drink. Large hyena clans can occasionally be seen splashing around in the mud around the basin. From an environmental perspective, this is an extremely sensitive area, and access is frequently prohibited. Lions, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, cheetahs, ostriches, honey badgers, jackals, and warthogs are the most probable animals to be spotted.
Kusini Plains
A variety of ecosystems can be found in these plains. In actuality, there are both grasslands and a forested area, and because these two ecosystems overlap, a greater variety of species can be found here than in other parts of Serengeti National Park.
In addition to two groups of lions, there are buffalo, giraffes, and elephants. Many migrating birds, including storks, can be seen arriving from Europe during the green season. There is a hidden jewel in these plains. It’s referred to as “Kusini Crater.” It is a circular grassland encircled by an acacia woodland, rather than a real volcanic crater. There are many different kinds of animals living there, including cheetahs. Due to their distant location and low tourist volume, safaris in the Kusini Plains are even more unique.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is a ravine that was sculpted by river flows and weathering. From the perspective of landscaping, it’s a stunning canyon, similar to those seen around the globe, with a large rock that resembles those found in the United States’ Monument Valley.
But the discoveries that have been made here are what really set this valley apart, leading to the belief that the Gorge is the birthplace of humanity. Here, incredibly significant remains have been found, including the footprints of the Laetoli and some of our predecessors, dating back to the time of Australopithecus boisei.
Large animal fossils and cave paintings from millions of years ago that portray the Great Migration have been discovered, demonstrating how long ago this event has been occurring. Learn a great deal about the beginnings of humans at the visitor center and museum.
Giraffes, leopard turtles, agamas, Grant gazelles, wildebeests, and dik-diks are among the many species that call the area home. It is not, however, the best location for seeing wildlife. The only reasons people visit this place are to take in the scenery and broaden their understanding of our forebears.
Matiti Plains and Twin Hills
The Twin Hills are surrounded by the magnificent Matiti Plains. When the Southern Serengeti migration stops, female wildebeests congregate here in February and March to give birth to their offspring.
In contrast to numerous other herbivores that seek cover before giving birth, wildebeests give birth outdoors without any protection. These cubs are quite intelligent. They can stand on their legs a few minutes after birth, and soon after that, they can run. Predators such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs are more noticeable during the birthing season and wait for the ideal opportunity to ambush a mother and steal her baby.
From December to April, there is an exceptionally high concentration of animals, which is a truly breathtaking sight. Grant and Thomson gazelles, giraffes, leopards, caracals, bat-eared foxes, and steenboks are among the other creatures that may be found in the region.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE NDUTU
when the wildebeest are in or close to the area in the last months of the year. This is also the time of day that privately owned camps are open if you are going to stay there. A decent 4×4 would be needed to navigate the clay soils around the lakes during the rainy seasons.
LOCATION OF LAKE NDUTU
In addition to being inside Serengeti National Park, Lake Ndutu is situated close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s edge. On the lake’s southern edge, concrete markers mark the separation between the two.
Additionally, it is at the early stages of the Serengeti plains, which are supposed to extend indefinitely. As of writing, the area only has unique, privately owned campsites that shift with the migration of wildebeests and no public campgrounds. In the vicinity, there is a lodge as well.
HOW TO GET THERE
By car, a 4×4 is preferred. It takes roughly 30 minutes to go to the Naabi gate and 2 hours to get to the Loduare gate. Both a Serengeti permit and a Ngorongoro permit are valid for entry, and there is a ranger station nearby in case a renewal is required. You would have more access to it, though, if you have a Serengeti permit.
