Ndutu Ngorongoro Conservation · Safari Lodge
Masek Tented Lodge by TWC
Permanent tents on the edge of Lake Masek in the southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving-season base from December through March.
About
Masek Tented Lodge sits on the edge of Lake Masek in the Ndutu region of the southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The mobile camps in this region move with the migration; Masek does not. From December through March the calving herds gather within minutes of camp, with predator concentrations to match. Outside calving, the bird life on Masek and the shoulder-season pricing make Masek one of the better-value premium properties in the country.
The Ndutu region is where the migration drops its calves — half a million wildebeest born in a six-week window from mid-February through March. Predator activity tracks the calves: cheetah pick off the weakest, lions hunt at the lake edges, hyenas clean up the kills. Outside the calving window, Masek shifts character to a quieter birding-and-leopard base, with the lake itself drawing hundreds of bird species and the surrounding marula and acacia woodlands holding resident leopards.
The accommodation is canvas-and-deck honest: Standard Tent Single, Double, and Triple configurations plus an Interconnected Family Room for families travelling together. Each tent has hardwood floors over groundsheets, an en-suite bathroom, and a private deck looking onto the lake or the surrounding woodland. The dining and lounge area is set on the lakeside deck with full views across the water.
Best for calving-season travel from December through March, photographers chasing predator-prey interaction during the births, families using the Interconnected Family Room, and shoulder-season travellers who want premium-tier comfort at a price point that drops significantly outside the peak window.
Access is by Cessna flight from Arusha to Ndutu airstrip (1hr 30min including the road transfer JRO to Arusha Airport), then a short game-drive transfer to camp.
Signature experiences
Calving season (Dec to Mar)
Mid-February through mid-March is the calving peak: half a million wildebeest born in six weeks. Predator activity concentrates accordingly — cheetah, lion, and hyena hunting near the camp daily.
Lakeside game viewing
Lake Masek draws hundreds of bird species year-round. From camp, the lake edge is a constant low-effort viewing site through the day.
Migration tracking on the short-grass plains
Half-day drives east of the lake during peak calving for the maximum density of herd and predator action.
Birding day
Outside calving season, the lake and surrounding wetlands offer some of the strongest birding in the southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lakeside Deck
- Wi Fi (main Areas)
Best for
- Calving Season
- Photography
- Birding
- Family
- Shoulder Season Value
Wildlife you might see
- Calving Season Dec To Mar: Half A Million Wildebeest Born In A Six-week Window
- Predator Concentrations: Cheetah, Lion, Hyena Tracking The Calves
- Lakeside Bird Life Year-round, Hundreds Of Species
- Resident Leopards In The Surrounding Woodlands
- Open Short-grass Plains East Of The Lake For Maximum Photographic Visibility
Best time to visit
January, February, March
Location & access
Ndutu Ngorongoro Conservation
Fly-in: Approximately 2hr 45min total: 1hr JRO to Arusha Airport (ARK), then a 1hr 30min Cessna from ARK to Ndutu airstrip, then a 15-minute game-drive transfer to camp.
Drive: Approximately 7 hours total via Arusha, Karatu, and across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Ndutu. Bush flight to Ndutu airstrip is the standard route.
Room types
Standard Tent Single
Solo canvas tent on the lakeside with en-suite bathroom and private deck.
Standard Tent Double
Twin or king-bed canvas tent with hardwood floor, en-suite bathroom, and a deck looking onto the lake or the woodland.
Standard Tent Triple
Three-bed configuration with the same canvas-and-deck character.
Interconnected Family Room
Family configuration with two interconnecting tents sharing a single front door.
What's included
Included
- Full Board (3 Meals Daily)
- House Beverages (water, Soft Drinks, House Wines, Local Beers)
- TDL (Tanzania Development Levy)
Not included
- NCAA Entry Fees
- NCAA Concession Fees ($59 Per Adult Per Night, $11.80 Per Child)
- Game-drive Vehicle And Driver-guide
- Premium Drinks
- Flying Doctors / Medical Evacuation
- Travel Insurance
- Bush Flights
- Tips And Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Reviews
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Masek Tented Lodge have?
Around sixteen tented rooms across Single, Double, Triple, and Interconnected Family Room configurations.
When is the lodge open?
Year-round, with peak demand December through March during the calving season. Shoulder seasons offer significant rate drops.
How do guests reach Masek?
By Cessna flight from Arusha Airport (1hr 30min) to Ndutu airstrip, then a 15-minute game-drive transfer.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. The Interconnected Family Room handles parents plus children sharing a single front door. Calving-season travel is family-friendly given the wildlife density.
What's included in the rate?
Full board, house beverages (water, soft drinks, house wines, local beers), and TDL. Excluded: NCAA entry fees, NCAA concession fees ($59 per adult per night, $11.80 per child), the game-drive vehicle, premium drinks, flights, gratuities.
When is the calving season?
Mid-February through mid-March is the peak, with the migration on the short-grass plains east of the lake. December and January are the building months as the herds arrive from the north.
What's nearby
- Ndutu short-grass plains30min east. The calving-season epicentre during Feb to Mar.
- Olduvai Gorge1hr drive. Paleontological site of the Leakey discoveries.
- Ngorongoro Crater3hr drive to the rim, then the descent. Often added as a 1-2 night extension before or after Ndutu.
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