Ndutu has retained its cherished status as a gem of the Serengeti plains since it was created by George Dove in 1968 as the first permanent camp in the area. George gave up hunting and transformed the lodge into his regular campsite prizing its wild and remote location in the midst of game and surrounding the Serengeti plains and in 1967 Ndutu was born. To this day, Ndutu remains Tanzania’s oldest safari lodge.
Ndutu quickly established a reputation for warm hospitality and delightful food, fast becoming a favourite stopover for pioneering naturalists, distinguished zoologists and photographers such as celebrated primatologist Jane Goodall and renowned wildlife filmmaker Hugo van Lawick who researched, filmed and wrote about wild dogs in the area. George Dove was great friends with Mary Leakey a pioneering archaeologist and neighbour who discovered some of the first fossils of human ancestors nearby.
In 1974 George Dove and his family sold Ndutu and set out for wilder frontiers and the Lodge fell fallow until 1985 when it was gradually renovated under the watchful eyes of Aadje Geertsema and Margaret Gibb. Using only local materials which blend into the bush, and recycling original materials where possible, Aadje and Margaret renewed the lodge as a simple and welcoming place with wonderful people at its heart. Aadje’s influence is felt at Ndutu, alongside the many other distinguished people whose association with Ndutu have made it unique.
In 2017 a new team took on Ndutu with the goal of ensuring the lodge could grow on its existing reputation whilst continuing to playing a major role in the local community and conservation of the precious wildlife and landscape. Since 2017 Ndutu has gently been refreshed whereby each of the cottages has had its ceilings raised and its interiors and bathrooms updated. We have focused on investing in back of house improvements to ensure Ndutu remains sustainable into the future. We have also recently added a small gym and spa to the lodge to further develop our guest experience. What is key, however, is that the heart of Ndutu hasn’t changed in over 57 years and to this day we are still proud to welcome back our guests year on year from all around the globe.
HUGO VAN LAWICK, JANE GOODALL AND SON GRUB AT NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE AT THE TIME OF GEORGE DOVE
AERIAL SHOT OF THE OLD NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
GEORGE DOVE AND GRUB HUGO VAN LAWICKS SON
HUGO VAN LAWICK FILMING AT NDUTU WITH JANE GOODALL AND THEIR SON GRUB
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE AT THE TIME OF GEORGE DOVE (1968) PHOTO MY MIKE DOVE
HUGO VAN LAWICK, JANE GOODALL AND SON GRUB AT NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE DINING TENT IN THE 1960'S
THE DINING TENT AT NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN THE EARLY 1970'S
AAG'S FIRST VIEW OF NDUTU JAN/FEB 1972
AERIAL SHOT OF THE OLD NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1972
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1972 WHEN IT WAS STILL A TENTED CAMP
NDUTU TENTED CAMP IN 1973
CHIMAN PATEL'S NDUTU WEST WING
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1985 AFTER PURCHASE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN THE EARLY DAYS WITH CANVAS TO COVER THE LEAKING ROOF OF THE DINING ROOM
SORTING THE CANVAS OF OLD TENTS AFTER BUYING THE LODGE IN 1986
THE DERELICT PETROL STATION TAKEN DOWN
NDUTU SAFARI IN 1986 THE ONLY TIME WE HAD A GRADER DO UP OUR MAIN ROAD - THANKS TO DAVID BABU (CHIEF PARK WARDEN SNP)
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1986 GARAGE AS FOUND AFTER BUYING THE LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1986 GARAGE AS FOUND AFTER BUYING THE LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE WORKSHOP IN 1986
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1987 AWAITING ASSEMBLY
RENATUS MUSHI BUILDING SECOND CAR IN 1987
FITTING THE ENGINE BACK IN
MALLEKO CHECKING TRACTOR
OLD LORRY STUCK COMING BACK FROM MAKAO
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
ANDREA AND THOMAS HAULING WATER FOR BUILDING PURPOSES IN THE RIVER FLOWING FROM NAIBADAD TO MASEK/OLDUPAI
CARPENTRY UNDER THE TREE BEHIND ROOMS NO 20-21
CREATING THE ARRIVAL WALL IN 1988 TO THE NEW CENTRAL AREA
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
REPLACING GRASS THATCH ON DINING ROOM 1987/1988
DEMOLITION OF 'WEST WING' BATHROOMS AND ROOM (86/88)
THE 'NEW TRACTOR C.1988 WHICH HAS SINCE HELPED MANY A STRANDED VEHICLE!
SHOW-OFF ADAM MAHINDI
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
JULY 1986 WILLIAM (BILL) BAKER ARRIVES WITH 6 NEW WATER TANKS FROM NAIROBI
JULY 1986 WILLIAM (BILL) ARRIVING WITH BARBIE'S TOYOTA AND SIX NEW WATERTANKS FROM NAIROBI
JULY 1986 BARBIE'S TOYOTA CRUISER WITH SIX NEW WATER TANKS FROM NAIROBI
PUTTING UP NDUTU SIGN ON NAABI SIDE WITH BINNERT AND OLIVIA GEERTSEMA AND MARANDO SHAURI AND HAMIDU
1993 IN DAR ES SALAAM FOR FIRST TRADE SHOW WITH EVA MARIE. NOTE JENNY'S GIRAFFE ON GIBB'S FARM STAND
NOVEMBER 1994, JENNY'S ROCK ART. NOTE THE OLD RAFTERS
THE LAST OLD ROOMS TO COME DOWN
IBRAHIM AWADHI MAKING BLOCKS
LATE 80'S STAFF ROOMS REBUILDING
FIXING BAR AT NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
REBUILDING THE LOWER WALL - THE NEW DINING ROOM
WANGAELI BUILDING ROOMS
OLD STYLE DINING ROOM AND BAR
DECEMBER 1989 AAG'S AND P&L'S HOUSE IS DONE, BUT NOT MK'S
AERIAL SHOT OF NDUTU IN 1989
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1996
1996 NEW LORRY NOW WE HAVE A 6 WHEEL DRIVE!
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1996
1997 ARR DRAGGING OUR "PRESENT" FROM HUGO CONTAINER - FROM HIS CAMP TO LODGE
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 1997
1998 LIGHTING FIRE TO CONTROL LA NINA FIRES - TWO WEEKS OF HELL FIRE AND NEARLY DAMNATION
1998 LA NINA FIRE CONTROL
ANDREA NYSEMBA GRADING ROADS
BUILDING THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE AIRSTRIP-TO-KISIMA (WATER HOLE IN FRONT OF LODGE) ALONG THE NEWLY-BUILT IN ROAD TO LODGE IN 2002
TAKING DOWN MIJOMBA (BANANA LEAVES) IN 2002
TAKING DOWN OLD DINING ROOM AND BAR ROOF IN 2002
NEW DINING ROOM AND BAR IN 2002
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 2002
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 2002
MARANDO SHAURI FIXING MIGOMBA IN 2002
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE NEW ROOF IN 2002
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE IN 2002
PETER SAWS FOR TABLE INSETS AND NDUTU ENTRY BRIDGE
SUPPLIES AT GIBB'S FARM, AWAITING TRANSPORT NDUTU
SUPPLIES AT GIBB'S FARM, AWAITING TRANSPORT NDUTU
NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
