“We find Charlie and Catherine a delight to work with. They are always available, very efficient in their processes and communications and have always delivered for us. We very much also value their opinions and consider them an integral part of our business and a business decision making process.”
-Rob Barbour, Owner, Ndutu Safari Lodge
Ndutu Safari Lodge is the oldest and perhaps one of the most loved safari lodges in Tanzania having been established over 50 years ago. Famed for its homely warmth and hospitality, it is set deep in the short grass plains near Lake Ndutu. The lodge enjoys vast expansive views with world-class game viewing on the doorstep. In the spring, the Great Wildebeest Migration comes to calve on these nutrient rich grasses and in the later months the region continues to enjoy an impressive array of resident predators from their extensive prides of lions to cheetah, hyena, jackal, wild dogs and many more.
The lodge comprises of a collection of traditional stone and thatch cottages which look out across the plains towards Lake Ndutu. The main lodge itself has a comfortable dining area serving delicious beautifully cooked and locally sourced meals. The legendary Ndutu bar has been a meeting place for friends for over 50 years and offers a lovely buzzy atmosphere and the famous Ndutu campfire is the perfect place to relax under the stars with a sundowner.
Learn more about Ndutu’s Marketing Journey
with Green Travel Marketing
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE
Ndutu Safari Lodge is positioned in an extremely remote area of the Serengeti. The footprint they create could be detrimental to the surroundings however over the past 50 years Ndutu have consistently taken the greatest efforts to ensure their impact is minimal. At GTM, we have made sure that the trade and the clients know that this is a priority for this lodge and we have celebrated the countless things the lodge does including, rain water collection and purification ensuring only minimal water is required from an underground source on the edge of Lake Ndutu.
The lodge is moving entirely over to solar reducing the need for an oil generator. All produce is sourced locally from Gibbs Farm’s shamba (Margaret Gibbs was one of the previous owners of the lodge and so has been supplying fruit and vegetables for many many years to the Ndutu).
Also it is worth noting that the foundations of the actual lodge are the perfect example of up-cycling as the entire lodge was rebuilt using materials from the old structures as founded by George Dove in the 1960’s.
COMMUNITY, CONSERVATION & CULTURE
Ndutu Safari Lodge employ nearly 100 staff many of whom are 2nd or 3rd generation working at the lodge. Training, personal development and support are hugely important to Ndutu’s employment ethos and the trickle down effect both for the families of those employed and indeed casual local project workers at the lodge has a huge benefit to supporting the wider community.
Ndutu work closely with Kope Lion, a lion conservation organisation who focus on challenges such as mitigating human wildlife conflict. By researching, tracking, and monitoring the lions and by maintaining a close working relationship with the local Maasai communities, Kope Lion have had a hugely positive impact on both the lions and communities of Ndutu.
Ndutu Safari Lodge also work with The Serengeti Cheetah Project, monitoring the populations of cheetah in the plains engaging their clients to help feed into the constant research work.
