Visit Lake Natron With US – One of the Deadliest Lakes on Earth

Are you the kind of traveler who loves to venture off the beaten path. Do you enjoy escaping the crowds and tackling rugged, dusty backroads? If so, Greenway Nature Tours Africa highly recommends a trip to Lake Natron in Tanzania. This remote destination rewards you with stunning landscapes, breathtaking views, authentic Maasai Villages, and the chance to hike an active volcano Oldonyo Lengai, Mountain of God (Masai). You can also discover some of the world’s oldest fossilized Homo sapiens footprints. The landscape here is truly phenomenal – some of the most spectacular in Africa.

What To See and Do at Lake Natron?

Lake Natron stretches for about 57 kilometers (35 miles) from north to south. But much of its shoreline is difficult to reach. The easiest place to visit is the southern end of the lake, near the village of Engaresero.

From the parking area, you will walk about 1 km (0.6 mi) across beautiful white alkaline flats to reach the lakeshore. These striking flats are made of dried salt mixed with volcanic ash from Oldonyo Lengai, the active volcano that dominates the landscape.

As you get closer to the lake, you can climb a few black volcanic rock formations. From the top, you will enjoy spectacular views across the lake and the dramatic Rift Valley scenery. The shallow waters are often filled with flamingos and other waterbirds, making this one of the best places for birdwatching and photography.

Why Lake Natron Is Considered to Be Deadly?

Lake Natron is incredibly beautiful, but swimming is an absolute no-no.

The lake has no outlet, so water only leaves through evaporation. As the water evaporates, natural minerals and alkaline ash from Oldonyo Lengai become more concentrated.

During the dry season, the lake’s pH can rise to around 12, making the water extremely alkaline. The water can also reach temperatures of up to 60°C (140°F). Combined with its high alkalinity, these conditions can be very dangerous and may cause severe burns. The surrounding shoreline is also extremely hot.

Located in the low-lying Rift Valley, daytime temperatures often climb above 40°C (104°F). For these reasons, it is best to admire Lake Natron from a safe distance while enjoying its extraordinary beauty.

The Story Behind the Stone Animals

Although Lake Natron is one of the most dangerous lakes on Earth, it cannot actually turn animals into stone. This famous legend comes from photographs of birds and other animals that died in the lake.

When the water later receded, their bodies were found preserved and covered with mineral deposits, giving them the appearance of ghostly stone statues. The natural preservative behind this remarkable phenomenon is sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash. This odourless mineral occurs naturally in the lake and helps preserve the remains. Interestingly, sodium carbonate was also one of the ingredients used in Ancient Egypt during the mummification process.

A Flamingo Paradise

While Lake Natron is too harsh for most forms of life, it provides the perfect home for lesser flamingos. The lake’s highly alkaline water and abundant cyanobacteria create ideal breeding conditions.

In fact, Lake Natron is the only known breeding ground for East Africa’s 2.5 million lesser flamingos. The main breeding area is active between October and February.

It is located in a remote part of the lake that cannot be reached on foot or by boat. Even so, you can see large flocks of lesser flamingos feeding in the shallow waters throughout the year. Watching thousands of these elegant pink birds against the dramatic landscape is one of the highlights of a tour to Lake Natron.

Wildlife Around the Lakeshore

Although Lake Natron is not located inside a national park, much of the lake and its surrounding area has been protected as a Wildlife Management Area since 2009.

It borders the greater Serengeti ecosystem, allowing plenty of wildlife to move freely through the area. During your visit, you may see zebra, wildebeest, golden jackals, Grant’s gazelles, Thomson’s gazelles, gerenuks, fringe-eared oryx, and lesser kudu.

Lions and cheetahs also pass through from time to time, but they are shy and are rarely seen.

Lake Natron is also a fantastic destination for birdwatching. Flamingos are the main attraction, but the lakeshore is also home to pelicans, egrets, herons, lapwings, and many species of waders.

On the surrounding plains, you may spot large birds such as ostriches and kori bustards, as well as dry-country species including Von der Decken’s hornbill, the red-and-yellow barbet, and the rosy-patched bush-shrike.

The Oldest Homo Sapiens Footprints in East Africa

Thousands of years ago, a group of about 25 hunter-gatherers walked across wet volcanic ash near the shores of Lake Natron. The ash had been deposited by Oldonyo Lengai after an eruption. At the time, it was just an ordinary walk. But as the ash hardened into volcanic rock, it preserved more than 400 footprints for thousands of years.

Today, you can visit these remarkably well-preserved footprints. Standing where some of East Africa’s earliest Homo sapiens once walked is a truly unforgettable experience. They are the oldest known fossil footprints of Homo sapiens ever discovered in East Africa.

To help protect this important site, visitors are not allowed to wear shoes while viewing the footprints. The dark volcanic rocks become extremely hot during the middle of the day, so it is best to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

How To Get to Lake Natron

Many travelers underestimate the driving times to and from Lake Natron. We recommend spending at least two nights, and preferably three nights, in the area. This gives you enough time to enjoy the attractions without feeling rushed, as you will need a full day to travel there and another day to return.

Lake Natron is often included in off-the-beaten-track itineraries along Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. The most popular route is to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park first, then continue to Lake Natron. From there, you can return to Arusha via Mto wa Mbu. Another option is to drive through Longido to the West Kilimanjaro area, which is close to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

Directions from Serengeti to Lake Natron

The drive from the Serengeti to Lake Natron is one of the most scenic journeys in northern Tanzania. However, we do not recommend driving from Seronera in central Serengeti to Lake Natron in a single day. Instead, spend a night near Klein’s Gate in the northeastern Serengeti. From there, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Lake Natron.

The route is beautiful and follows quiet back roads. The road from Klein’s Gate to Wasso is gravel. From Wasso to Sonjo, you will enjoy a smooth tarmac road with very little traffic. After Sonjo, the road becomes gravel again as you continue to Engaresero, with the final 20 km being a little rougher.

Directions from Lake Natron to Arusha or JRO Airport

There are two main routes when travelling from Lake Natron to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Southern Route via Engaruka and Mto wa Mbu: This is the most direct option. Drive through Engaruka to Mto wa Mbu, a journey of about 2.5 hours. From Mto wa Mbu, it takes another 2.5 hours to reach Arusha, plus about 90 minutes to continue to JRO Airport.

Western Route via Longido and West Kilimanjaro: If you prefer a more scenic drive, take the western route through Longido, Oldonyosambu, and Engare Nanyuki. The journey follows a mix of quiet tarmac back roads and well-maintained gravel roads. It takes around 7 hours and offers beautiful views along the way.

Best Time To Visit Lake Natron

The best time to visit Lake Natron is during the relative cool months of June to August. The weather is still warm, but much more comfortable for exploring the area and enjoying outdoor activities. During the rest of the year, temperatures can become extremely hot.

If you want to see lesser flamingos at their best, plan your visit for December or January. This is the peak breeding season, when thousands of chicks hatch and the shores of Lake Natron are filled with large flocks of flamingos. It is one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in Tanzania.

Lake Natron permits and fees

Lake Natron is part of one of Tanzania’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). These are protected conservation areas established to conserve wildlife while supporting local communities.

When visiting Lake Natron, you can expect to pay the following fees:

Three community village fees (paid in Engaresero): TZS 24,000 (US$10) + TZS 37,000 (US$15) + TZS 24,000 (US$10) per person.
Wildlife activity (entrance) fee: US$11.80 per person.
Vehicle entrance fee: TZS 17,700 per vehicle.
Overnight concession fee:
Camping: US$23.60 per person, per night.
Lodge accommodation: US$17.70 per person, per night.
All fees include VAT. Children aged 5 to 17 years pay an entrance fee of US$6 and a camping fee of US$11.80 per night. Children under 5 years enter free of charge.

Your permit is valid for 24 hours.

Paying for Your Lake Natron Permits

You can obtain your permits at the small WMA office in Engaresero, the main gateway to Lake Natron. This is also where you pay the required village fees. Payment can be made by credit card or cash. However, because this is a remote area, mobile and GPS signals can be unreliable. We therefore recommend carrying some cash in case the card payment system is unavailable.

At Greenway Nature Tours, we can also connect you with experienced local community guides to help you explore Lake Natron safely while supporting the local community.

Nearby Attractions

One of the most popular activities near Lake Natron is a guided walk to Engaresero Waterfall. The trail follows a narrow gorge carved by the Engaresero River as it flows down the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

Along the way, you will balance on rocky ledges and step from rock to rock to avoid walking through the cool water. Most visitors continue to the second waterfall, about an hour from the gorge entrance. Here, the waterfall drops into a beautiful natural pool where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.

For a more adventurous experience, you can climb Oldonyo Lengai, the sacred “Mountain of God” of the Maasai people. Rising 2,960 m (9,711 ft) above sea level, this active volcano towers over Lake Natron. Its dark volcanic slopes are covered with light grey ash, giving them an appearance that is sometimes compared to the snowy slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Because of the daytime heat, the climb usually begins just before midnight, allowing you to reach the summit at sunrise. At the top, you will find a fascinating volcanic landscape of ash cones, hardened lava, and steaming vents that changes after each small eruption. This challenging hike is best suited to fit and well-prepared travelers.