Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti
8-Day Grand Adventure in Tanzania Safari
- 8 days
- Lodges
- Private
From$2,915per person
View safariNorthern circuit
Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
A blood-red soda lake below an active volcano, on the road to nowhere north of the crater. Flamingos, a walk to a waterfall in a gorge, and a night climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai for those who want it.
- Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Dec
- 1 safaris
- Park fees in every price
From$2,915per person
About Lake Natron
Why go to Lake Natron
A blood-red soda lake below an active volcano, on the road to nowhere north of the crater. Flamingos, a walk to a waterfall in a gorge, and a night climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai for those who want it.
Lake Natron is a shallow, extremely alkaline soda lake in the Rift Valley near the Kenyan border. Its colour comes from salt-loving algae, which also feed the lesser flamingos that breed on the lake in large numbers.
Above it stands Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai ‘mountain of God’, the only active volcano in the world that erupts carbonatite lava. The climb is steep and loose, done through the night to reach the crater rim at dawn.
Most visitors also walk up the Engare Sero gorge to a waterfall, and meet the Maasai communities who live around the lake. It is hot, dusty and remote: that is the point.
What you’ll see
Lesser flamingos on the lake
Ol Doinyo Lengai summit at sunrise (climb)
Engare Sero waterfall walk
Fossil human footprints at Engare Sero
Maasai villages around the lake
- Best timeJun–Dec (dry)
- Time needed2 nights, more if you climb
- From ArushaAbout 6 hours by road
- Ol Doinyo LengaiAbout 2,960 m; summit climb starts around midnight
- Our safaris here1, from $2,915 pp
- RegionNorthern circuit
More about Lake Natron
The lake
Lake Natron is a shallow soda lake in the Gregory Rift, near the Kenyan border, about 57 km long and 22 km wide.
It is fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River and hot springs and has no outlet, so evaporation concentrates the minerals: the water can reach a pH of about 12, among the most alkaline on Earth, and salt-loving algae turn it red.
Flamingos
Natron is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in the world. They build nests on soda islands and feed on the spirulina algae. Alkaline tilapia fish also live in the hot-spring inlets.
Visiting
Natron is hot, windy and remote, with simple camps. Its future depends on protecting the water that feeds it from diversion and development.
Seasons
When to go
Hot all year · Apr–May wettest. Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
Where it is
Location
Distances, as the crow flies
- Arushaabout 130 km
- Serengetiabout 130 km
- Ngorongoroabout 100 km
Road distances are longer; driving times are in the facts above.
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
FAQs
How hard is the Ol Doinyo Lengai climb?
Hard. It is short but very steep on loose ash, done at night, and the descent is tough on knees. It suits fit hikers; ask us before booking if you are unsure.
Can we combine Natron with the Serengeti?
Yes. A rough track links Natron with the northern Serengeti; it is a long but scenic drive.
Safaris that go here
Visit Lake Natron with us
All 1 safarisGuest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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