Safari
Arusha, Mto wa Mbu, Lake Natron, Ngare Sero waterfall, Arusha
your journey
Lake Natron lies in the floor of the Great Rift Valley close to the Kenyan border, below the cone of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai Mountain of God and the only active volcano known to erupt natrocarbonatite lava. The lake is shallow and extremely alkaline, fed by the Ewaso Ng'iro River from Kenya and by hot springs, and in the heat its salt crusts and algae turn the water red, pink and orange.
Natron is a long drive from Arusha, much of it on rough tracks across Maasai country, so we plan it with a night near the lake rather than as a rushed day. That gives you the late-afternoon light on the flats, when you can walk out towards the flamingos, and a cool morning for the walk up the Ngare Sero gorge to its waterfall.
Lake Natron is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa, and large flocks feed in the shallows. Birds that die in the lake can be preserved by its salts, which is why you may find calcified remains on the shore. Climbers can add the night ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai with an extra night; ask your specialist.
Travellers who want wild, empty landscapes more than big game, keen birders and photographers, and anyone combining Natron with a Lengai climb or a northern circuit safari. The heat is intense and the road is rough, so it suits people who are relaxed about comfort.
Parks visited
Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
what makes it special
day by day
Your driver-guide collects you from your Arusha hotel in the morning and drives west to Mto wa Mbu, below the Rift Valley escarpment, then turns north onto the rough road to Natron. The country becomes drier and emptier, with Maasai herders, dust devils and volcanic peaks on the horizon, and Ol Doinyo Lengai rising ahead. After checking in near the lake and resting through the heat, you walk out onto the flats in the late afternoon to see the flamingos.
After an early breakfast you set off with a local guide up the Ngare Sero river gorge, before the day gets hot. The path follows the stream between tall rock walls, wading through the water and scrambling over boulders, to a waterfall where you can stand in the spray. Back at camp you pack up and begin the long drive back to Arusha, with lunch on the way, reaching your hotel in the late afternoon or early evening.
in pictures
the price
Price on request
before you ask
You can go on safari here all year. The dry season from June to October is the easiest time for game viewing, because animals gather near rivers and the grass is short, but it is also the busiest. From November to May the parks are green, quieter and excellent for birds, with short rains around November and the long rains in April and May. Where the wildebeest migration is depends on the month, so tell us your dates and we will plan the route around them.
Our safaris use 4x4 safari vehicles with a pop-up roof, so you can stand up for game viewing and photography. On a private safari the vehicle and driver-guide are yours alone for the whole trip.
Each tour page lists exactly what is included and excluded. On our northern circuit safaris, such as the 7-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire trip, national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees are included. If you are not sure, ask your specialist before you book.
Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. We can add or remove days, swap parks, or change the accommodation to suit your budget, and your specialist will send you a revised plan and quote.
Bring light, neutral-coloured clothes, a warm layer for early mornings and for the Ngorongoro Crater rim, which is cold at night, comfortable shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards make a big difference. Soft bags pack into safari vehicles more easily than hard suitcases.
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online in good time through the official Tanzania Immigration website at eservices.immigration.go.tz, and do not use unofficial agents. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival. Requirements differ by nationality, so check the official site for your country.
We don't recommend it. The drive from Arusha takes several hours each way, much of it on rough roads, so a day trip leaves very little time at the lake and none for the waterfall walk. A night near the lake makes the trip far more enjoyable.
Very hot in the middle of the day for most of the year, which is why we plan the walks for early morning and late afternoon. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen and sandals or shoes that can get wet for the waterfall walk.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
Price on request
2 days · 1 night
also consider
10 days · 9 nights
Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti National Park · Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Empakai & Olmoti Craters
Price on request
11 days · 10 nights
Arusha National Park · Tarangire National Park · Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Eyasi · Empakai & Olmoti Craters
Price on request
15 days · 14 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro · Arusha National Park · Tarangire National Park · Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Eyasi · Lake Manyara National Park
Price on request
karibu
Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
Price on request
Plan your trip
Enquiry about: 2-Day Lake Natron Trip: Flamingos & Ngare Sero Falls
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