4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Overview

Described as having the ‘ultimate amphitheatre’ seats to the Great Migration, when 1.5 million wildebeest hurtle across the plains, Lemala Ndutu is a mobile safari camp that is set up between November and April only each year.

Consisting of nine well-equipped tents near the marsh within Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area, it offers such fantastic views of the southern end of the migration route you might not even have to get into a 4x4 witness to galloping wildebeest and zebra as they are occasionally known to pass right through the camp!The calving season also attracts Africa’s predators and thrilling lion hunts are not uncommon. But there is no need to be alarmed by late-night roaring as an armed Maasai warrior will patrol your tent area.

Being as intimate and remote as it is, Lemala Ndutu is perfect for seasoned travellers who truly want to ‘unplug’ from 21st century life and immerse themselves in nature. Tents are very comfortable, with wooden flooring and rugs, as well as a flushable toilets and hot showers. To completely become one with the Migration, all-day game drives are arranged and chilled picnic lunches are enjoyed to the gentle beat of waves of passing game.

Highlights

  • Front-row seats to Migration, calving & hunting spectacles from December to March
  • Intimate ‘legacy’ camp set up
  • Situated in a quiet, shaded spot on Lake Ndutu

Activities

  • Full-day safaris
  • Game drives
  • Guided walks
  • Bush dining
  • Hot air ballooning
One of the perfect options for a Serengeti wildebeest calving season between December and March. A major advantage of the area is the ability to do off-road game viewing!
Maureen Stover

Maureen Stover

Africa Safari Expert

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Rooms

Two Bedroom Tented Suite

Perfect for friends or family travelling together, this room type has two spacious bedrooms on either side of a comfortable shared lounge in which you can enjoy sundowners or morning coffee together. Each bedroom is similar to the standard tent with two queen-size beds and an en-suite bathroom.

Standard Tent

Very spacious and comfortable, each of the camp’s nine tents has either twin or king-sized beds and can accommodate up to three guests. The wooden floors are covered with rugs while the en suite bathrooms have a flush toilet, shower and dressing area. For families travelling with young children, the standard tent can be booked as a family tent with an extra bed provided.

Facilities

A seasonal camp built specifically to observe animals making their annual pilgrimage south across the Serengeti plains, Lemala Ndutu offers all the essential guest facilities. Meals are taken in the mess tent, which is kitted out with solar-powered chandeliers and a well-stocked bar. Enjoy sundowners around the roaring campfire each night and listen for the whooping of hyenas and the chirrup of crickets.

Aside from game drives in a 4x4 vehicle, walks along the marsh with an armed guide provide unique wildlife encounters for guests. Hot air balloon safaris, which offer a dreamy experience of the pulsating landscape, can also be arranged. Facilities are suitable for children six years and older. Younger children between six and twelve can join in on the fun with the Lemala Cubs kids programme where they can learn about and experience the magic of the African bush in a fun and educational way while of course giving parents a chance to relax.

Dining

Breakfast includes both English-style and continental options and is served in the mess tent to guests who choose not to take the morning game drive. Delicious packed picnic breakfasts and lunches can be arranged if you wish to stay out viewing game for the entire day. Three-course dinners, comprising both Swahili-influenced and international-style cuisine, give you the chance to catch up with other guests as well as chat to your camp manager about the day’s exciting sightings.

General facilities

  • Bar
  • Wi-fi available

Rates

Select your preferred currency below and view rates over specific seasons.
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Dates Board Price
2022-12-01 — 2022-12-19 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $680
2022-12-20 — 2023-01-05 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $800
2023-01-06 — 2023-01-31 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $680
2023-02-01 — 2023-03-31 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $800
2023-12-01 — 2023-12-19 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $490
2023-12-20 — 2024-01-05 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $855
2024-01-06 — 2024-01-31 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $720
2024-02-01 — 2024-03-31 Game Package (Meals, Select Transfers/Activities) $855

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

  • All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
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Traveller Reviews

Lemala Ndutu
AY

Alex Yoffe

Next we were off for another long drive. We went through Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti to the Lemala Ndutu Camp. This is a mobile camp, and very difficult to find, but it was not problem for Karato that knew his was around here like the back o f his hand. Karato had the car loaded with lunch from Escarpment Lodge, and cold drinks for the drive. We were in the same Land Cruiser, which had plenty of space, and a top that opened for great viewing of animals. Later we would find out that we could have flown from Lake Manyara to Ndutu, something that would have saved us hours off our journey, and something we were again not aware of. While it was good to do the drive and see the animals on the way to the Serengeti, this would have been good to do one way, but not both. Once we arrived at Lemala Ndutu we had grown accustomed to a pretty high standard. At first it was a bit of adjustment, especially being as removed as you are in Ndutu. But this changed quickly. The staff at Lemala Ndutu does more with a temporary camp than anyone would think possible. The tents have their own bathrooms, with hot water on call, and flushing toilets. They are located with elephants and buffalo walking through the camp at all hours of the night. The staff prepares 5 star restaurant meals with nothing but solar power and coal. The oven used for baking is all coal, but produces amazing meals. On both nights birthdays caused cakes to be brought out, and the entire staff came out singing, and entertaining. It was truly unbelievable, especially considering we were camping. At night we were walked and zipped up in our tents, and never so much as saw a mosquito. The tents themselves had very comfortable king sized beds, with electric lighting, and wood floors. The staff was always ready to go with a beer, a glass of wine, or anything else you needed (including great conversation). In the evenings everyone would sit around the bush TV (fire pit) while you were served drinks and exchanged stories from the day. On the first morning we were up at 5am for a hot air balloon ride. It was dark and very cold, but when we got out to the balloon it was all worth it. The first attempt didn’t go too well, and we were unable to get off the ground, but the second attempt went perfectly. Once up in the air we had unbelievable views of Ndutu and the Serengeti. We saw Giraffes, Lions, and Wildebeest and Zebra. The colors were beautiful, and the captain made sure that everyone in the balloon could see at every angle. Because of some winds we encountered we went very high into the air. This gave us a chance to see so much, and to move a bit more slowly. When we came down we were greeted with the best breakfast we have ever had. Right inside the migration a beautiful table with linens was set up for us, where champagne was served with a full English breakfast on fine china, with silver. There we enjoyed breakfast with all from the balloon, and the captain. This was a great experience. Karato was there waiting for us after our ride, and ready to go for our first game drive in the Serengeti and Ndutu. We were on the hunt for a pride of eight lions we had seen from the hot air balloon, and our pilot had told Karato approximately where we could find them. As we were driving we came across about fifteen safari vehicles all looking out at something. At first we thought it was just the front of the migration, but then Karato spotted the Cheetah, three of them. They were on the hunt, and next thing you knew they were racing at full speed. As the Cheetah ran we were driving full speed along with the other safari vehicles. The three Cheetah chased down and caught a wildebeest, and Karato put us right into the action. We were in a circle with the other vehicles, snapping photos as the three brothers first killed then ate the wildebeest. Later that day Karato and just I would return to find the Cheetah full as could be. After spending a few hours with the Cheetah, we moved on to find the lions we had originally been looking for. Karato tracked them down with no problem, and we hung out for a while, watching a pride of eight lions, and getting many beautiful photos. During our drive we decided that we didn’t have enough time at Ngorongoro Crater planned, and that we didn’t want to do the drive back to Kilimanjaro. We asked Karato to look into this for us when he had a chance. We went back to our camp where we relaxed, had showers, a few drinks, and then I went solo on another game drive while Kristen enjoyed the tent and the camp. On the game drive we saw the Cheetah again, and ran into a pride of twelve lions. This was pretty amazing, and they were only 5 feet or so from the vehicle. We hung out there for a while before starting our return. At that point we again ran into the pride of eight lions that were now awake and walking around with the drop of the magnificent Serengeti sunset behind them. We returned
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