Trekking Ngorongoro to Lake Natron - Ngorongoro Highland, Empakai Crater, Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron

4 nights

Trekking

Ngorongoro to Lake Natron

Ngorongoro Highland, Empakai Crater, Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron

This trek takes you from the Ngorongoro Highlands to Lake Natron and can be planned as a longer trek with 3 or 4 nights camping or as a shorter version with only just one night camping. From Ngorongoro Crater a road leads along many Maasai villages towards Empakai crater. The first part of the trek from Nainokanoka can therefore be shortened by driving you to Bulati (3 x camping) or to Empakai Crater, reducing the number of camping nights to 2 nights (Empakai and Accacia). If you only want to camp once, you need to overnight close to Empakai Crater and arrive early in the morning to start the trek from Empakai.

From Empakai the trail leads up to Accacia Camp and then past the majestic Oldonyo Lengai volcano down to Lake Natron.

There are only a few camps / lodges at Lake Natron. It is worth spending two nights here exploring the area. Especially those who want to climb Oldonyio Lengai need this extra time.

Your onward journey

Travel by road to Empakai Camp

Empakai Camp Tanzania

1 night

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Your onward journey

Walk to Lake Natron Camp

The trek from Acacia Camp towards Lake Natron is quite easy as it mostly goes down. The active volcano Oldonyo Lengai majestically overlooks the Rift Valley and sometimes even spits some fire, a truly stunning volcano.

The landscape is now dustier and barren, in part still a relic from the last eruption of Lengai in 2007. The descent into the Rift Valley takes about 3-4 hours, depending on your fitness. At the bottom a vehicle will be waiting to take you to one of the camps in the Lake Natron area.

Look forward to a unique adventure!

Lake Natron Camp Lake Natron Tanzania

2 nights

Accommodation 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.

Location 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.

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Lake Natron

The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano rises majestically above Lake Natron like the keeper of a lost world. Seen from the lake, the volcano has a perfectly conical shape. It is a source of endless fascination for visitors and locals, who call it the ‘Mountain of God’.

The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Malawi / Mozambique. Typical signs that the earth’s tectonic plates are drifting apart include abrupt escarpments and volcanic activity. The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is the last remaining active volcano in Tanzania. It explodes every couple of years and spews large amounts of soda (sodium carbonate) down its steep cliffs. This is then washed into Lake Natron by rainwater.The lake is situated at the lowest part of East Africa’s Rift Valley, at a height of approx. 600 m. The hot climate causes lots of water to evaporate, making Lake Natron extremely alkaline. This in turn provides ideal conditions for algae and plankton to grow, making the lake an important breeding ground for flamingo, which live in this harsh habitat.

Your onward journey

Travel by road to Arusha

Arusha

Details & Prices

Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.

Duration 4 nights. Min 2 guests.

The trek is guided by a professional, English-speaking guide, a cook and a Masai guide for the donkeys. Price is valid for a private trek of 2 pax.

Inclusive / Exclusive
Includes all transfers from Empakai to the hotels/camps to Lake Natron Camp

Empakai Camp: Dome Tents. All meals, water.
Leonitis Camp: Dome Tents. All meals, water.
Lake Natron Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands).

Includes all meals and water during the trek. Overnight in dome tents. Sleeping mats are provided, but please bring your own sleeping bags.

Not included are international flights, gratuities, compulsary comprehensive travel insurance, visa fees, local airport fees, personal purchases.

Learn more about these areas

Lake Natron