Ndutu Conservation Area is located well within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but right on the doorstep of the vast Serengeti National Park‚ Lake Ndutu‚ and its smaller sister lake‚ Masek‚ sits at the head of the world-renowned Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present.
It is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man. Fossil footprints have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered. There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds.
Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek form shallow basins where water accumulates from the nearby areas of slightly higher altitudes. The water in both lakes is extremely saline (also called soda lakes)‚ too saline for human consumption. The Ndutu area becomes alive with animals during the migration because it is surrounded by the Ndutu woodlands and the Short Grass Plains which provide ample cover and food.
Why Go on safari in Ndutu Conservation Area
While Ndutu is an excellent game viewing area throughout the year, the best time to visit the Ndutu plains is from the end of December, when the Great Migration herds begin to arrive from the north, until April, when millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras begin their journey northwards again. Due to the seasonal rains, massive herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen all over these plains at this time of year.
Thousands of calves are born within Ndutu during the calving season, making Ndutu a home for new creatures on Earth. Giraffes, impalas, elephants, dik-dik, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, genets, jackals, wildcats, and many other animals end up living in Ndutu. The plains, marshes, and lakes of woodland attract an abundance of bird species.