Caroline & Steve
Caroline and myself really look forward to returning each year to Ndutu. We have visited now for 5 years consecutively and are always captivated by the area. Self driving in Ndutu provides a feeling of freedom as we go out looking for our favourite animals, especially the cheetahs.
Images from Ndutu can be found on my website www.stephenbelcher.net
[Webmaster: Look also for Lengai photos in the Volcanoes section]
Please click on any image to link to Stephen's web site.
Todd Gustafson
Todd has been back at Ndutu this February (2008) and has shown us some photos from his stay.
He was here before in 2005, when he took the wildebeest photo on our front page.
Please click on any image to see more of Todds's photos.
Bill & Carolyn Hilton
We have stayed at Ndutu twice (January 2006 five nights, January 2007 seven nights) and will be returning in February 2008 for seven nights. We have some photos taken from Ndutu that you can link to if you wish but we would like to just give you the address and let you post that on your site rather than having you upload our images. ...
Here is the site ... mostly lions, cheetahs and beautiful birds, but we also photographed the mouse-catching serval last year and also a honey badger.
[webmaster note: brilliant pictures, do take a look.]
Roswitha Gantenberg
I spent two wonderful weeks at Ndutu Safari Lodge in April 2007. This is a magic place, and I hope to return very soon. Actually I cannot wait. Aadje is a perfect, and I was fortunate to meet Louise, Paul and little Emily. Everybody makes you feel so welcome and you are sad to have to leave, back to civilization.
I saw so many animals every day, that I don't know which to select. So I thought you might like my Cheetahs, and you are very welcome to chose whatever you like for your album.
Please click on any image to see more of Rosie's photos.
Cristiana Stefanori
Jambo,
I am Cristiana, an old guest, and I promised to send you some picture from my August in Ndutu.
All the picture are of animals that I have seen in Ndutu area. About Louise, Paul and Emily, I'm very sorry because, for me, they were an institution in Ndutu but I know the problem....! (small baby...little probem...).
I hope and I wish the new manager many success. I wish to say hello to Aadje ...very friendly person. Jambo Jambo to the staff ! I hope came back in the near future.
Please click on any image to see more of Cristiana's photos.
Charlie, Shana and Sarah Brierley - January 2007
This was our second stay at Ndutu and we love it - we will definitely be back again in two years time when we return to Tanzania. Our stay with you from 1st Jan to 4th Jan was not disappointing, to say the least. We found the huge number of wildebeest simply awesome and although the heavy rain made it very difficult for wildlife spotting, we were lucky enough to see the 'honeymoon' lion couple mating, as well as the very old (and tuskless) elephant who we have named "Big Boy" IT was really something special, to see this elephant with the rest of his family, as we realised how big he really is.
We would like to thank Stephen for organising our room when we arrived so we could all stay together. And as usual, a big thank you for Joseph and the other staff in the restaurant who looked after us so well. All the staff throughout the lodge were extremely helpful and we look forward to seeing everyone again.
Please click on any image to see more of the Brierley's photos.
John Martz, Oak Park, Illinois, USA
"Of the five lodges we visited during our tour of the Tanzania parks Ndutu was our favorite. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and very capable staff. We had great luck finding many different animals nearby. Pretty good food, too!"
Please click on any image to see more of John Martz's photos.
Dr Ajit K Huilgol, Bangalore, India
My sons and I spent some of the most wonderful days of our lives at
Ndutu.... I promised to send you pictures from our May 18, 19 and 20 visit
to Ndutu. As we were nearing the lodge, we saw these lions mating,
which they carried on doing for the next three days! The next day we
sat up with this cheetah mother with three cubs as they fed on a
wildebeest calf. The migration had just begun and by the 20th, the
wildebeest and zebra were all gone! The feeding cheetahs were
interrupted by a spotted hyena and they eventually lost their kill to
the marauder, watched by two tawny eagles and a huge flock of
fighting and noisy vultures. Hope you like the photos.
Thérèse Derom, Belgium
I promise to send you the nice pictures from the elephants in the
Ndutu Reserve. It was end of October 2006. We have a very good
time in your Lodge and Game Drive.
From the two Belgian Family
Shirley and Al Nickelson, Ferndale, Washington State
Dear Aadje: We are pleased to take advantage of the "News and Views" segment of Ndutu's web page. Our second trip to your lodge was for five days in April, 2006.
Your accomodations are excellent, the staff courteous and helpful and the food is a good as any we have experienced in thirteen countries in Africa.
Some of the attached photos were taken in the close vacinity of the Lodge like the leopard, lion cubs and ground hornbill. Others such as adult lions, cheetah and wildebeest hers were photographed on a day trip out to the kopje area just inside Serengeti Park.
In your
latest Newsletter
you wrote of seeing four ground hornbills near the lodge. We think they might be the exact four we watched in April.
Cristiana Stefanori, September 2006
Dear Aadje:
do you remember me?
I 'm Cristiana from Rome Italy. In September I spent 5 beautiful days at Ndutu Lodge ...with you , staff, and animals. I send my photos of Wendelin and Max... and also the young hyena. I hope to see soon you and Ndutu. Many thanks for all, for your hospitality and kindness.
Philippe Schoonejans, August 2006
Our stay at Ndutu was indeed fantastic!
It is great to see on your website how others have enjoyed it and to see their photos. I send you a few of mine. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Francisco Ahedo, April 2006
The last ten days of April 06, we spent our Easter holidays in Tanzania, 3 of them at Ndutu lodge, where we visit the Ndutu area on six morning and afternoon safaris.
Apart for some heavy, but short showers, the weather was good, with beautiful lights and wonderful skys. Thanks to that rain, the landscape was fantastic, there was green and water everywhere.
Wildlife was great, after four African safaris, Ndutu has been our best area for predators and we have seen plenty of lions and cheetah (ten diferents in 3 days) and, of course, the marvelous migration, with wildbeest and zebra everywhere.
We had 2 rooms at Ndutu Lodge, they were very nice and we really enjoy the quiet and relax after lunch and dinner.
Ndutu has been one of our top destination in Africa, and we are sure we will come back In the near future.
February 2008: Almost 2 years after my visit to Ndutu I have finally concluded my galleries.
I am sending you the link to my Ndutu gallery, maybe you can add it to my comment so people can visit it.
http://www.pbase.com/africawild/ndutu
Gianluca Cecchini, January 2006
We visited Ndutu in mid January 06 and had a really great time. I've been on several trips in Africa (South Africa, Botswana,etc.) but the Serengeti, especially the Ndutu area, is unrivalled both in its beauty and its game. We missed the wildebeast migration unfortunately, the big rains arrived just after we had gone back home (Italy for me and the US for my mom Dianne), but despite that our gameviewing was exceptional: in one week we saw 80 lions - 30 cheetahs - 5 leopards just to mention some cat numbers, plus a couple of highlights such as a black rhino with calf at Moru, 12 hyenas harassing 2 lionesses on a kill near Seronera, and a big blond male lion mock charging at us while we were looking at him from behind the restrooms at Naabi gate. It was indeed a great experience and our 6 night stay at Ndutu Lodge was wonderful.
Here are a few shots
of our encounters.
Will definitely come back soon!
Gianluca
Dianne Gale, January 2006
Gentlepersons,
Here are only a few
of the many stunning photographs taken during our safari ....
What an incredible safari indeed at the Serengeti and especially at Ndutu area. In addition to the astonishing wildlife and unspoiled ecosystem, it was a impressive learning journey. We are grateful to everyone at Ndutu for making this possible.
The emotions felt whilst on safari are inexpressible. Now it is very difficult for to deal with our nostalgia. Thus, we must return again very soon..
Lisa Konwinski and Mark Lotwis, December 2005
Please feel free to post any of these on Ndutu's website as long as you credit us -- thank you. We had a very nice stay at Ndutu!
Matt and Sue Conway - Mississauga Canada,
May 2005
Hi Louise Paul and all - wow what a great few days we had at Ndutu. Before we left Canada I went back and read every single newsletter on your web site so I was so excited to finally arrive - what a very special place, we were thrilled to see your resident genets- what a treat - we also were so lucky to come upon a python on a late afternoon drive - he was in the creek and then came out to hunt, our guide said he was just a small one only about 10 feet long.
We also saw a lioness and her 3 cubs on our way out along with 3 striped hyenas which I understand are quite rare - I can't stop thinking of our trip to Tanzania and Kenya - no wonder everyone falls in love with East Africa - We hope to return one day - Visiting Ndutu was one of the highlights - have a great summer, say hi to the Genet family.
With much affection for Ndutu.
Graham Baker
- April 2005
Ndutu is one of those places that you try and keep to yourself. However, after 8 days there, you just have to share the secret with those who will appreciate the peace, good food, good company, but above all the opportunity to see African wildlife at its best. Truly one of life's most amazing experiences... Aadje is to be congratulated, along with her staff, on performing near miracles in the African Bush.
Rob Mudde & Angelique Kraak
- February 2005
Dear people of the Ndutu Lodge.
We had a great time in your lodge and we hope to stay at your place again next year. Therefore we send you some of our pictures.
Please click on any image to see larger versions.
Ed Harris
- May 2005
Yet another excellent 8 day safari at a 'dry' Ndutu. The cat photo opportunities were above expectations and I have included a few of my photos as examples. Again many thanks to Paul, Louise and all the staff that made this stay at Ndutu Lodge even more memorable than the previous four.
René van Druten
- October 2004
Hereby I send you some pics.
I have made them around 9.30 in the morning on the 27th of October 2004. I had been on safari (my first ever) for about 8 days and had already seen all that I hoped for, that is with exception of cheetahs. I only stayed at the Lodge for 3 nights. And after having stayed in tents all nights before, this was a welcome oasis of rest, good food and luxury. On my first morning I already got lucky.
After a while of driving around we saw some vultures in the near distance and decided to check out what was going on. As we game closer we saw they where struggling for the remains of a kill, but were where the predators? It turned out they where just 10 or 20 meters away from the car on the other side of the road.
It was a great moment that I will never forget. And it proves you don't have to be here in the migration season to get a great time.
Lauren, age 13
- Boston, USA,
March 2005
Thank you for an amazing stay! It was my favorite lodge. I felt so welcomed here! It was rustic, but not too rustic! I want to come back again!
Here's Our little friend, Mr. Genet Cat and Right outside our room in the morning. A beautiful morning surprise!
Beth Smith - Arizona,
February 2005
In 2004 and again in 2005 we spent 10 amazing days at Ndutu Safari Lodge during the migration. It's wonderful to stay at a place with both unequaled wildlife experiences, and great food and accommodations. Louise and Paul run a tight ship with a very friendly and efficient staff.
We've been on safari 8 times with prior trips to southern Africa. But once we experienced the variety and amount of wildlife within an easy drive of Ndutu, we had to return there. From gray crowned cranes, egrets and rollers in flight, to honey badgers, lions and leopards on kills, vast herds of zebra, elephant, wildebeest and gazelle - every day was a delight. Three brother cheetahs thrilled us with their hunting.
In the last 3 photos the wildebeest yearling was attacked by one of the brothers, and after a valiant struggle managed to free itself and run off this full grown male cheetah.
We'll be back.
Anna - Italy,
February 2005
Like last year, I would like to thank Louise and all the Ndutu Safari Lodge's staff for their kindness. I really love to spend some days during the migration, in a special place, and for me Ndutu is a really special place.
So Thank you very much and see you next year. Cheers
P.S. I send you some picture I took this year, I hope you like them
Please click on any image to see larger versions.
Todd Gustafson -
February 2005
Wildebeest at Ndutu 2nd Feb 2005, photographed by Todd Gustafson.
Hans & Monique Eizema - The Netherlands,
December 2004
Our stay at Ndutu Lodge was absolutely great and exceeded our expectations!! Why? Because no lodge we have been visiting during our 7 days safari was so wholly integrated into the wilderness of the Ndutu park! This is really an unique experience complemented by the care and kindness of the English Management, the Dutch (partly) owner and their dedicated staff of locals.
During our stay at the Ndutu Lodge during Christmas 2004 we witnessed the birth of a zebra baby and have some excellent digital pictures.
Carmen Kemper
- Minneapolis, USA
October 2004
Greetings from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA!
I had the very good fortune to visit Ndutu Lodge in March of 2001. It remains one of the best experiences of my life - the people, the accommodations, the food, the fireplace - all top notch. I now visit your website on a regular basis and thoroughly enjoy your jottings about what's happening at the Lodge. It is my dream to be able to visit again someday.
Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to write about the Lodge and all the amazing things that happen there. Someone like me truly appreciates your endeavour.
Daniele- from Italy,
April 2004
Hi, my name is Daniele and I am Italian. I have been at Ndutu Safari Lodge twice: November 2002 and August 2003. In both cases my experience was amazing, thanks either to the nature and the lodge staff. Everybody is very friendly, the bungalows are very comfortable and the cuisine is excellent. It is impossible to have more.
Thank you and see you soon.
Gudrun- from Germany,
March 2004
On my arrival in Ndutu again last month and whilst driving towards the lodge, I was welcomed by a handsome lion and a lioness close by the causeway and when I arrived at the lodge a few minutes later, it was like coming home. I find it great, waking up in the morning with zebras grazing close to my bungalow or driving out on the plains and watching my beloved cats and the endless rows of wildebeest with their little calves or sitting out on the verandah until late in the evening, enjoying the stars in the African night sky, watching a little hare or a genet and listening to the lions` roar not so far away. These are precious moments in my life and I`m very grateful that I have been able to experience them !
Thank you Louise and Paul, for showing me the beauty of Ndutu with your eyes on that wonderful Sunday and thank you Aadje for your friendliness and your warmth. It`s admirable seeing how much each one of you care for the animals and their habitat ! My thanks to everyone at Ndutu who made my stay so very special.
The photo of Stella and her calves is especially for you Louise and Paul.
Ndutu is a magic place - I will come back again soon !!
Pietro - Italy,
March 2004
I'm Pietro. I came to your place twice in the last two years, once in November, once the last August. I have seen the wonderful pictures of my friend Anna so I decided to send you some pictures I took during the incredible days I spent at Ndutu. Definitely the best place where to go with incredible wildlife, very gentle staff and a very, very friendly atmosphere. Here is a
link
to my webpage with wildlife pictures taken in Tanzania.
Thank you very much for all.
Ed Harris - Scotland,
March 2004
Thanks Paul and Louise yet again for 9 wonderful days at The Friendly Lodge.
Hope you enjoy this image of the Wildebeests crossing Lake Ndutu on March 8th 2004.
Anna - Italy,
February 2004
I would like to thank you for the always nice journey in your fantastic lodge. Has been fantastic to have the possibility to go around the savannah nearby you and follow the animals totally free, as only there is possible. I send you some of the pictures I took this year! Asante sana and take care.
Gary and Ross
Redditch - UK,
February 2004
We stayed at Ndutu in early February 2004 and had a fantastic time. We were lucky enough to see this lion not far from the camp - we hope it will be good enough for you to put on the web site!
