Lake Natron lies in the far north of Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border, at the bottom of the Rift Valley. It is hot, low and raw: a shallow soda lake rimmed with salt crust, red and pink where algae colour the water, with the cone of Ol Doinyo Lengai standing over it. There are few vehicles and fewer buildings. Travellers come for the flamingos, the volcano and a landscape unlike anywhere else on the Northern Circuit.

What you will see

Lesser flamingos: Lake Natron is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa. The nests are on mudflats far out of reach, which protects them, but you can walk to the shoreline to see flocks feeding in the shallows.
Ol Doinyo Lengai: the "Mountain of God" to the Maasai, and an active volcano. Its lava is unusual, erupting black and cooling to white, which gives the summit its pale streaks.
The Rift escarpment: the wall of the Rift Valley runs along the lake, and the drive in crosses wide, empty country with Maasai herders and their cattle.

What to do

Engare Sero waterfall: a walk up a narrow gorge, wading through the stream in places, to a waterfall and pools where you can cool off. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Flamingo walk: an early morning or late afternoon walk across the flats to the lake edge, when the light is softer and the heat bearable.
Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai: a strenuous night climb, usually starting around midnight to avoid the heat and reach the top near sunrise. The slopes are steep, with loose ash and rock, and the descent is hard on the knees. It is only for fit, experienced walkers, and whether it goes ahead depends on the weather and the volcano's current activity.
Maasai village visits: arranged with the local communities, with time to learn about herding life in a dry land.

When to go

The dry season, roughly June to October, is the most comfortable time for the roads and the walks. Flamingo numbers rise and fall with the water level and the breeding cycle, so we cannot promise large flocks on any given date. Expect high daytime temperatures all year. Our weather guide has more.

Getting there

From Arusha it is a drive of around five hours via Mto wa Mbu, with the final stretch on rough, dusty gravel. Light-aircraft charters can also land at a strip near the lake.

Where to stay

Accommodation is simple: tented camps and small lodges near Engare Sero, with views of the volcano. Two nights let you fit in the waterfall, a flamingo walk and a rest.

How it fits your trip

Natron works as an adventurous detour on a northern safari, often after Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro, and some routes continue north-west through Loliondo towards the Serengeti on a long but quiet drive. It is not a recovery stop, so we usually schedule it before a Kilimanjaro climb or well after.