A soda lake at the base of the volcanic active Mount Ol Donyo Lengai, the area around Lake Natron is often described as having a barren and almost lunar beauty. Lake Natron is found in the northern part of Tanzania. The nearest towns to Lake Natron are Arusha in Tanzania and Magadi in Kenya. It is the most important breeding site for Lesser Flamingos in the world. East Africa has 1.5-2.5 million Lesser Flamingos, representing three-quarters of the world population and most of them are hatched at Lake Natron.

Why Visit Lake Natron?

• Lake natron is a scenic beauty,
• Walks around the lake and to the streams and waterfalls along the nearby escarpment make for a fantastic adventure off the beaten track.
• There are a number of campgrounds near the lake, which is also the base for climbing Ol Donyo Lengai.
• Three quarters of Lesser Flamingos in the world.
• There’s possibility to visit Maasai village.
• To see the wild animals, birds.

Lake natron flamingo season

The dry season is the best time to see flamingoes at lake natron. The coolest months are June through August. The flamingos of Natron lay their eggs normally during the end of the dry season in September and October.

Things to do at lake natron

1. Bird watching: Lake natron is the best destination for bird enthusiasts especially those fond of flamingos (Flamingo walk on the shore of the lake).
2. Hiking: Tourists visiting lake natron can have fun hiking up to the engare sero waterfalls, the top of the waterfalls provides you with outstanding photo opportunities and also majestic views of lake natron.
3. Picnicking can be done when visiting lake natron. The great rift valley hiking trail will lead you to dramatic picnic sites on top of Lengai hike the rift valley wall on foot and then descend using another route to the valley.
4. Cultural tours/ traditional village Maasai. You will be able to discover the traditional life of the Maasais, their culture, and their traditions and visit their bomas (grouping of huts of an extended family). You will be able to participate in the milking of animals when they come back from pastures. Maasai women will offer you the purchase of their handmade Maasai jewelry. The children will be happy to escort you. You will have to ask for their permission and expect to have to buy jewelry to photograph them.
5. Visit the archaeological sites: historical sites and archeology, can walk to the hominid footprints believed to be over 1000, 000-year-old
6. Maasai BBQ. Maasai people love meat and with them, you can observe and learn about how they slaughter a goat, drink fresh blood, and slowly cut out each piece of meat that they will then barbecue around open fire. As they do the barbecue, warriors will sing and dance their traditional songs for you.
7. Camping and camel safari.
8. You can swim in the natural pool of spring water.
9. Visit Ol Doinyo Lengai. The climb of this active volcano takes place at night.
10. You can watch the splendors as this avifauna hunt for food and fill the skies with a specular display of pink and subtle.  

Getting to Lake Natron

You can hire a private vehicle from Arusha to Lake natron, it is best to visit lake natron as part of your Tanzania northern circuit safari extension. so best to plan it in advance with your safari.