Park guide · Northern circuit
Lake Natron
A red soda lake, flamingos and the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai.
- Size
- outside the national parks
- Getting there
- about 5 h by road
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Lake Natron lies in the far north on the Kenyan border, a shallow soda lake stained red by algae and one of the main breeding grounds of the lesser flamingo. Above it rises Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai "mountain of God", an active volcano.
There are no game drives here in the usual sense. Instead: a wade up the Engare Sero gorge to a waterfall, flamingos at dawn and Maasai villages. Natron works as a two-night detour between Arusha and the northern Serengeti.
When to go
June to October and December to February. It is hot; walks are early.
Plan it
Add Lake Natron to your safari.
We build Lake Natron into a tailor-made itinerary. Tell us your dates and we send a plan and a price.
When is the best time to visit Lake Natron?
June to October and December to February. It is hot; walks are early.
How long should I spend in Lake Natron?
We recommend 1–2 nights. Travel time: about 5 h by road.
Where do you want to wake up?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the kind of lodges you like. A real person replies within 2 hours with a first itinerary and price.