LAKE NATRONI

OVER VIEW

This is a soda lake at the base of the active Ol Donyo Lengai volcano. At first sight, the lake looks fairly conventional with blue waters lapping the shoreline, but a journey from above soon reveals a unique red crust covering the lake’s surface. This natural wonder is caused by microorganisms that flourish in the mineral rich waters of the lake. Fed by nearby volcanic springs, the sweltering 40-degree Celsius waters and high salt content make the lake inhospitable for most and during the dry season, petrifies all creatures dying in it. Real adventure seekers visiting Lake Natron, will be rewarded with a unique, near magical experience. Lake Natron is situated in northern Tanzania on the border with Kenya and close to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro conservation area. BEST TIME TO VISIT The period June to October is the best time for walking and hiking tours. The weather at Lake Natron is mostly hot and dry. Although June to August are the coolest months, some guests still experience these temperatures as tropically warm. During the rainy period (November to May), some activities may be cancelled due to heavy rains. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶 BIRD WATCHING It is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in the world. East Africa has 1.5-2.5 million lesser flamingos, representing three-quarters of the world population. Most of them are hatched at Lake Natron. Food is plentiful, nesting sites abound and above all, the lake is isolated and undisturbed. The flamingos of Natron normally lay their eggs during the end of the dry season in September and October but the hatching starts in the early parts of the wet season, climaxing by December. WALK ALONG THE SHORE A Maasai guide will take you for a walk along the shores of the lake. In the dry season, you will feel as if you are in an apparently uninhabited, dessert-like dream world. HIKE TO THE ENGARESERO RIVER A Maasai guide will lead you along the ridges of the lake to the source of the Engaresero river. After the rainfall in the Rift Valley, water starts bursting over the escarpment, forming waterfalls and streams of sparkling clear water, inviting you to dive in and enjoy it. OL DOINYO LENGAI VOLCANO CLIMB Embark on an overnight ascent to the summit of the famous “Mountain of God”. Climbing the 2 962m volcano lit by moonlight is an unforgettable and mystical experience. This is one of the most challenging 1-day climbs in East Africa! This trek is not for the faint hearted but worth it for the un-paralleled views from the top at sunrise. On a clear day you can expect to see the tips of Meru and Kilimanjaro pierce through the horizon to the east. To the north you can see to the far end of Lake Natron, where its northern shores border Kenya. To the west you will be able to see over the escarpment across the Sale plains all the way to the Gol Mountains. You will be treated to a spectacular, almost surreal view! RIFT VALLEY DAY HIKE This adventurous hike commences before dawn and takes you to the base of the rift valley wall. You will then scale the wall while ascending close to the Ngare Sero Gorge to enjoy the dawn. There you can celebrate with some picnic food and indulge in one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the region. After breakfast you can either return to camp via the same route or choose one of the other routes, depending on time.