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Are you the type of traveler who loves to venture off the beaten path, 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 offers stunning landscapes, breathtaking views, authentic Maasai Villages, and the chance to hike up the active volcano Oldonyo Lengai, Mountain of God (Masai). The landscape here is truly phenomenal – some of the most spectacular in Africa.
Lake Natron is located to the northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater, near the Kenya border. It sits at the lowest point of the Rift Valley, 600 meters above sea level..
Is Lake Natron safe to swim in? No. Lake Natron is one of the most acidic lakes on Earth. The lake’s alkalinity can become so extreme that it nearly reaches the level of pure ammonia, making the water thick and almost untouchable.
Yet the clear water surface misleads birds who happily dive in the water, after which their skin burns and they tragically die. The high concentration of natron, a mineral salt, causes these birds to naturally mummify, and their preserved bodies are sometimes found washed up along the shore. With few predators able to survive in this harsh environment, Lake Natron becomes a safe haven for millions of flamingos, who return here each year to breed and feed on the red-pigmented algae in the water.
Lake Natron is one of the many lakes of Tanzania, perhaps the best excursion possibilities. See all possibilities below:
From Lake Natron Tented Camp, you’ll embark on an early morning walk with a Maasai guide to Lake Natron. The hike begins before the sun gets too hot, as temperatures can soar to 40°C by midday. As you walk through the village of Ngare Sero, you’ll get a glimpse into the daily life of the local Maasai community.
The journey then takes you through a stark, volcanic landscape, leading to the lake itself. Once there, you can climb a rock for an incredible panoramic view of both Ol Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron. The unique combination of ash, grass, soda, flamingos, and alkaline water creates a stunning, otherworldly landscape that’s unlike anything else in Tanzania!
From Lake Natron Tented Camp, you’ll embark on a 45 to 60-minute trek through a rugged gorge to reach the Ngare Sero waterfalls.
This exciting journey involves navigating paths that aren’t clearly marked, and you’ll need to cross the river at certain points. After some scrambling and climbing, you’ll finally arrive at the stunning waterfalls, where you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the ‘natural pool” surrounded by palm trees. This walk is best suited for those in good physical condition, and a Maasai guide will accompany you to ensure you find your way.
For the brave, fit and adventurous, climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano, might be an exhilarating challenge. This volcano has erupted 16 times over the past century and remains thermally active.
Geologists are particularly fascinated by Ol Doinyo Lengai because it produces the coldest black lava on Earth (at 510°C/950°F), which turns into a white rock when it cools.
The views from the crater rim are absolutely stunning – on clear days, you can catch sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and the Serengeti. To avoid the intense heat, climbers typically begin their ascent at midnight.
Many travelers aren’t aware of the time it takes to drive to and from Lake Natron. We suggest spending at least two nights in the area, ideally three, since it takes a full day of travel to get there and back. A common route is to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti first, then head to Lake Natron. For your return journey, you can drive back to Arusha via Mto wa Mbu. Alternatively, you can take the route through Longido to the West Kilimanjaro region, which is conveniently close to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The journey from Serengeti to Lake Natron is a scenic one, but it’s not practical to try to cover the distance from central Serengeti (Seronera) to Lake Natron in a single day. We recommend breaking up the trip by staying overnight near Kleins Gate, located in the northeastern corner of the Serengeti. From Kleins Gate, it’s about a 4–5-hour drive to Lake Natron.
The drive itself is incredibly picturesque, taking you through back roads from Serengeti to Lake Natron. The route from Kleins Gate to Wasso is gravel, but after Wasso, you’ll find a smooth, quiet tarmac road with very little traffic leading you to Sonjo. Beyond Sonjo, the road turns to gravel once again as you approach Engare Sero, and the final 20 kilometers become a bit bumpier.
For the return journey from Lake Natron to Arusha or JRO Airport, you have two route options:
The ideal time to visit Lake Natron is between June and August, when the temperatures are warm but still bearable. Outside of this period, the heat at Lake Natron can be quite intense.
If you’re hoping to witness flamingos in action, plan your visit for December or January. These months coincide with the peak of their breeding season, when most eggs hatch, and the lake’s shores are teeming with flamingos.
We’re here to answer all your questions about the must-see highlights, accommodation options, and travel routes!
Since 2016, Greenway Nature Tours Africa has been offering safari packages with accommodations, and guided tours for both individual and group travelers throughout East Africa, covering countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The ideal time to visit Tanzania is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. These months provide the best weather for wildlife safaris and gorilla trekking, with less rainfall, making travel more comfortable and enjoyable.
Since 2016 Greenway Nature Tours Africa have been offering 4×4 car hire, safari itineraries with accommodation and guided tours for group and the independent traveler in East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
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