Lake Natron Camp is located right on the edge of Lake Natron on a strech of open grass land, with great views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. There is a little stream of water that flows into Lake Natron, just some 50m from camp. A great place to relax and cool off your feet, especially if you have returned from a longer hike.

The camp offers ten sleeping tents, one common tent with the bar, dining and lounge area. The camouflaged Bedu shade nets were especially designed to keep the guest rooms cool during the day and protect them from the occasional strong winds. Each tent is furnished with full size beds, quality linen and blankets, tables and chairs and has its own running water, ensuite shower and compost toilet. This is certainly not a luxury camp and the exposure to nature can sometimes be a bit challenging, but the location and the views of the volcanoe are fantastic.

Lake Natron is extremely remote and can only be reached after several hours’ drive from either Karatu/Lake Manyara or North Serengeti. The road leads from Mto wa Mbu through numerous villages towards Lake Natron (approx. 5 hours). The journey from Klein’s Gate (Serengeti) to Lake Natron takes 8 hours.

Many animals migrate to Lake Natron in search of water during the rainy season, particularly in July from the hotter Lake Manyara and Tarangire regions.

Animal concentrations are not particularly high, but visitors are more than likely to come across zebra and giraffe. Flamingo and pelican are the region’s star attraction. Lake Natron is East Africa’s only known breeding ground for the Lesser Flamingo. It is suggested that the extremely hot mud and highly alkaline water protects the bird’s nests from predators.

Your camp guide will take you on a hike along Lake Natron (Flamingo Lake Walk), visit the Hominid Footprints or the Ngare Sero Waterfalls. As an alternative to climbing Lengai, a day hike to a beautiful viewpoint is offered (Rift Valley Day Hike) or a hike to the source of the Ngare Sero River (Ngare Sero Source Adventure Hike). In Ngare Sero village you can visit a school or a Maasai family (At home with the Maasai, extra cost).

A visit to the waterfalls is very rewarding. The water originates in the Ngorongoro highlands and falls from an almost tropical rainforest into a gorge. The walk to the waterfall includes some passages where you need to climb along the rocks and the shallow river needs to be crossed several times. At the end of the gorge, put on your swimming suite and have a swim under the waterfall!

Near the camp human footprints were found ("Hominid Footprints"), which can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. The age of the footprints is estimated between 5,000 and 19,000 years.

The ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai requires a permit (US$ 100 per person) and is done at night, preferably on a good moon. Your guide will take you by vehicle to the foot of the volcano (1h). The climb is doable in four hours for fast mountain walkers, normally 4-6 hours are estimated. The top third of the climb includes some passages that are quite steep and rocky. The crater itself is quite wide, but easily walkable, and you can see the boiling lava in the caldera from the rim. The sun rises at around 6am and you are rewarded with an incredible view. It takes about 3 hours to walk down.

SwissAfrican Travel Service
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8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51