Lake Natron Tented Camp is a simple camp on the banks of Lake Natron. It is built on Maasai land at the edge of Engaresero (‘clean water’) village. Locals are involved in the running of the camp.  

The rooms are rustically furnished tents with en-suite bathrooms and an outdoor shower. The tents sit on a slightly raised stone floor and feature a veranda. The camp sits nestled in a small forest on the edge of a dusty plain. The restaurant offers views of Lake Natron in the distance.

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.

The Maasai community in Engaresero organises drivers to take visitors to local places of interest. We highly recommend that guests use this sympathetic service as it provides an income through tourism for the natives. The village has a meeting point where visitors can pick up a guide for the climb up Ol Doinyo Lengai, a trip to the waterfall or an excursion to Lake Natron.
                                                 
The climb up Ol Doinyo Lengai takes place during the night, ideally by moonlight. Private guides take guests on the 1hr drive to the base of the volcano. From here it’s a steep (getting steeper!) walk up the side of the volcano. The climb is possible to complete in 4 hours by fitter visitors or those used to walking in mountain terrain. Several passages involve actual climbing. Once up it is possible to walk around the rim of the crater and see the bubbling lava below. It soon gets hot after sunrise at approx. 06:00. The descent (about 3 hours) is difficult and guests have to be careful not to break a leg!

The beautiful waterfall comes from a semi-tropical rainforest before tumbling down a gorge. Access follows the rock face and guests must do a little climbing and wade through the river several times. The water originates in the Ngorongoro highlands.

A certificate is issued to those that conquer Ol Doinyo Lengai – if the issuing office happens to be open…

SwissAfrican Travel Service
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