We arrive late afternoon, as usual in these trips, at our lodge, Ndutu Lodge. This is the one lodge we couldn’t book directly online but by contacting them getting a quote and then negotiating a bit before paying via a payment link. And now we are worried that maye it didn’t go through. But after some discussion the manager knows about reservation and then we make our way to our cabin for the next two nights.
Given how much we paid we hoped it is an individual cabin but it actually is a double room per cabin setup, not something we expected. And the bathroom is also not that impressive as in similarly priced hotels we stayed in Tanzania.
Even worse we have three individual beds instead of the double we requested. And this occupies all room with almost no place for luggage. So we complain and after some work we have a combined bed while the third one is taken away. And now we have space for our luggage.
There are lots of birds here which is nice and we enjoy the grounds quite a bit. The birds initially are quite common but still beautiful to us. And then it is time for dinner, which again is quite weird. As we sit down no one is coming to help or serve and we try to catch the eye of passing servers with no luck. Finally after probably thirty minutes when we asked multiple servers to help we get one that is helpful and are served and satiated we go back to the room to rest for the night.
In the morning we wake up to balloons launching over the lake, quite a few of them. Looking at them is quite fascinating and we sit for some time watching them and the birds enjoying the morning.
Today starts with a few more rarer birds, a beautiful Scarlet-chested Sunbird being a lifer but of course the Fischer’s Lovebirds stealing the show.
Breakfast is a combination between buffet style and a la carte eggs, again it takes some time to get a server but in the end we order directly from the kitchen. which is faster.
In the end we have breakfast outside for a better view of the birds, it is not too hot yet and quite enjoyable with no mosquitoes. And the food is also quite good this morning.
There are some nice views from here, we can even see the lake between the trees. And the mongooses are even closer and just showing off for us which is quite cute.
Before leaving to explore the Ndutu area we decide to explore the lodge grounds proper which is actually a great idea in hindsight. We start with a tree full of weavers nest, mostly Vitelline Masked Weavers working hard to either build them or use them. They are quite beautiful to watch for some time and we do just that for some time.
It is surprising how large the complex is especially given we had such difficulty in finding accomodation here. We circle around passing near the closed massage room and gym and then continue on the path towards what looks to be an internal parking for employees.
And here we have our most interesting and exciting find of the walk, a tree with a couple of Yellow-winged Bats, sooo fun to see them in the middle of the day.
There are also dik-diks here and even another lifer, a buff-bellied warbler in the trees. So it is quite a worthy area to bird and explore.
Returning to the room we stop at the map at the main building to plot a route, which is the end is useless as the roads have changed significantly since the map has been produced.
Before leaving we explore also our end of the complex and here we find another rare lifer, a Spotted Thick-Knee that is active only at night. So we catch him hiding during the day near the complex in the bushes, quite interesting. And then on we go to explore the marsh and the lake before lunch.
At lunch we return to the accomodation only to find very limited parking available. This is quite surprising as it was quite empty prior, likely many tours are stopping here for lunch.
Ultimately that is why we are also here as we are quite sick of the lunch boxes. The lunch is good enough and we are happy that decided to stop to eat lunch and to relax a bit before the afternoon drive.
Another reason we returned is because it seems set to rain. But even though there are lots of sign the rain really does not start so in the end we decide to go on the drive.
On the way to the parking lot we find a few more fun birds, not special but quite beautiful either way. And then it is on to explore the Lake Masek area our target for the afternoon.
One of the reasons we were really excited about the accomodation was the fact that supposedly there are genets that live in the main building and come out during dining time. However the first day we had no luck so we asked the manager to tell us if they appear. And late afternoon we are startled by a knock, the genets have made an appearance. We run to the main building and it is still there nonchalantly enjoying the high beams and looking at us before finally leaving. What a special moment!!
Dinner itself is not that remarkable but who really cares after seeing the genet, quite a highlight for us. And then we go back to our room to pack as tomorrow it is time to leave and exit the national parks.
We are woken up in the morning by giraffes and zebras passing by and doing their best to hide and failing miserably.
We do a short birding exploration of the grounds before breakfast finding a Black-lored Babbler and another beautiful Scarlet-chested Sunbird among many other birds.
We eat breakfast outside again, and it is quite good and then we have to get some porters to get our luggage to the car. That takes quite a bit but in the end it is done and then it is time to return back to the Lodoare Gate and exit Ngorongoro after some beautiful days in the wilds of Africa.
