Ndutu Area

The south-eastern part of the Serengeti, the Ndutu area, is rich in wildlife all year round, but wildlife numbers reach a peak between December and April. Huge herds of wildebeests and zebras are attracted by the seasonal rains. In this period, the best area for game viewing is the plains around Lake Ndutu, where the wildebeest herds are concentrated. Most calves are born in January and February, around 8,000 per day. The short grass plains offer them some safety, as predators can be spotted more easily. Nevertheless, as happens in nature, these young wildebeest attract many hungry predators, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Other species such as gazelles and zebras also give birth and use the wildebeest calves as cover to divert attention from their own young. The area also caters for birdwatchers; the Thorny Tree forests are the habitat of yet other birds and if you pay attention you may see the fantastically coloured Fischer's Lovebird.