Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai

Lake Natron, A Salty Soda Lake With Temperatures Above 40 C And A PH Near 10.5, The Main Breeding Site Of The Lesser Flamingo In East Africa, With Red Tinged Water. The Nearby Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 M), 'Mountain Of God' Of The Maasai, Is The World'S Only Active Carbonatite Volcano. Reached By 4x4 Tour From Arusha, With Climbs At Night. · Engaruka, Arusha

Lake Natron is a shallow soda lake in the Gregory Rift in northern Tanzania, close to the Kenya border, fed by the Ewaso Ng'iro river and by hot springs. The water is hot, up to 40-50 C, and very alkaline, with a pH that can reach 10.5. Salt crusts and cyanobacteria colour it red and orange. A large share of the world's lesser flamingos breed here, in the millions, on the salt flats far from predators. South of the lake rises Ol Doinyo Lengai, 'Mountain of God' in Maa, 2,962 m, the only active carbonatite volcano on Earth, where black lava turns white. The Maasai hold it sacred. The honest picture: it is REMOTE and EXPENSIVE, the tracks are rough, the heat is severe and facilities are basic. The dramatic scenery and the flamingo photos are the reward. Reach it by 4x4 from Arusha via Mto wa Mbu and Engaruka in 6-7 hours, or from the Serengeti through Loliondo, and plan 2-3 days. Expect roughly USD 400-900 per person with an operator; confirm. The Ngare Sero waterfall is the one cool place to swim.

Alkaline soda lake in the Gregory Rift near the Kenyan border in the north, about 3 hours by 4x4 from the Serengeti-Ngorongoro road, with the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano to the south, Engaruka, Arusha, Tanzania

There are no gates or fixed opening hours at the lake or the volcano. Walks are done in daylight and the volcano climb starts around midnight with a guide. Tracks become impassable in the long rains, roughly March to May, and camps may CLOSE. Confirm with your operator before you set out.

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