Ndutu
The Ndutu area lies in the west of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where it meets the southern Serengeti. From about December to March the wildebeest herds graze its short-grass plains, and most calves are born here.
- Best time
- December to March, for the calving herds. Births usually peak around February. Outside that window the plains are much quieter.
- Time to allow
- Two to three nights in calving season
- Part of
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ndutu is the part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where the southern Serengeti plains begin. Short grass meets acacia woodland here, around Lake Ndutu and the soda lake Masek, with marshes between them.
The calving season
The herds usually arrive towards the end of December and stay into April, when huge numbers of wildebeest and zebra graze the short grass. Thousands of calves are born here. The conservation area authority rates Ndutu among the best parts of the area for seeing predators.
The rest of the year
Game viewing here carries on after the herds leave. Giraffe, impala, elephant, dik-dik, lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena all live here, along with smaller animals like bat-eared fox, genet, jackal and wildcat. Birdlife is varied too. Visitors come for game drives, photography and birdwatching.
Wildlife
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Cheetah
- Lion
- Spotted hyena
- Giraffe
Through the year
- Migrating herds: January, February, March, April, December. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle on the plains. Thousands of calves are born.
- Resident wildlife: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Giraffe, elephant and the big cats stay all year.