Exploring the Southeastern Plains and Ndutu Safari Area

Enquire About Southeast Plains & Ndutu Safari

We hope you have find all the information needed to decide that the southeastern plains and Ndutu are the ideal destinations for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or perhaps you would like more specific information about the different lodges? Please fill out the contact form, and we will get back to you soon! Alternatively, email us at safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com or james@ajkenyasafaris.com. You can also reach us via WhatsApp or phone at +254 748 258880.

About Southeastern Plains & Lake Ndutu

The southeastern segment of the Serengeti is a wildlife haven throughout the year, with peak wildlife density occurring from December to April. Enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra are drawn by the seasonal rains. During this period, the area around Lake Ndutu becomes the focal point of wildlife activity, as it lies at the heart of the wildebeest congregation. It’s here that female wildebeests give birth to countless calves, marking a highlight of the Great Migration. These young herbivores attract predators, making the southeastern Serengeti a dramatic stage for life and death. The vachellia woodlands around the lakes offer refuge to a variety of bird species not found elsewhere in the Serengeti. Keep your eyes peeled for the vibrantly colored Fischer’s lovebird. With all the action concentrated in this area, it’s worth noting that besides predators, many visitors are drawn here, leading to increased vehicle traffic. The period from December to March also brings significant rainfall.

Low Season Paradise During Great Migration

Once the herds move to greener pastures, the region enjoys a quieter season from April to November. The area around Lake Ndutu also undergoes a transformation, offering a different but equally captivating wildlife experience. The southeastern plains and Ndutu transform into a peaceful retreat, with fewer visitors but abundant wildlife. This is an ideal time to visit and stay. From April to November, the southeastern plains dry up, turning the landscape into sparsely vegetated terrain. Two lakes support a wealth of wildlife: the perennial Lake Masek in the Ngorongoro Crater Area and the seasonal Lake Ndutu.

Wildlife Viewing in Southeastern Plains

The southeastern plains are dotted with clusters of kopjes. The area around Lake Ndutu is another prime location for wildlife viewing, especially during the peak season when the concentration of animals is at its highest. These rocky outcrops provide a unique habitat for non-plains wildlife such as rock hyraxes, klipspringers, leopards, and various cliff-nesting raptors. Lions often use kopjes as shelters or vantage points to survey the surrounding plains. As the name suggests, Simba Kopjes, located on the main road between Seronera and the Ngorongoro Crater Area, is excellent for lion sightings. The grasslands around the more easterly Gol Kopjes are perfect for spotting both cheetahs and lions. Although trees flourish on the sides of kopjes, a distinctive feature of the surrounding plains is their treelessness. This is because the volcanic soil is too hard for roots to penetrate. Also see: why are there no trees on the plains?