Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai — Simba Pride Safaris

Overview

A blood-red soda lake at the foot of an active volcano the Maasai call the Mountain of God. The only regular breeding site for East Africa's lesser flamingos, and one of the wildest places you can still reach by road.

Wildlife highlights

Lesser flamingo
Zebra
Ostrich
Gerenuk
Golden jackal
Oryx
Giraffe

Flamingos

Two million nesting

In the right months the soda flats turn pink with the largest lesser flamingo colonies on earth.

Lengai

The night climb

A midnight start up steep ash to a summit crater that is still alive, for sunrise over the Rift.

The Maasai

Their land, their guides

Every walk here is led by Maasai from Engare Sero, and the fees go to the village.

Season calendar

What happens when. Use it to pick your month, then ask us to confirm conditions before you book.

Flamingo coloniesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Lengai climbsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Bearable heatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Waterfall walksJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Areas & highlights

Engare Sero

The village and camps on the lake's southern shore, base for everything.

Best: Jun to Oct

The lake shore

Walks across the soda flats to the flamingos and hot springs.

Best: Aug to Jan

Engare Sero gorge

A wet scramble up a gorge to waterfalls and a swimming pool.

Best: any month

Ol Doinyo Lengai

The volcano. A brutal, unforgettable night climb for the fit.

Best: Jun to Feb

Things to do

Ol Doinyo Lengai climbA midnight start up the active volcano, 6 hours up steep ash, summit at sunrise.
Engare Sero waterfallsA wet walk up a gorge to a swimming pool under the falls.
Flamingo walksMaasai guides lead you to the lake shore, where the colonies nest on the soda flats.
Hominid footprints19,000-year-old footprints preserved in the ash near Engare Sero.
Maasai village lifeStay near the village and share an evening with the families.

Where to stay

BudgetCamps at Engare Sero village. From US$40 p.p.

Mid-rangeTented lodges with lake and volcano views. US$180 to 300 p.p.

By area

Lakeside camps: tented lodges with volcano views, the only real choice.
Village camps: simple, friendly, cheapest.
Combine: reach it from the northern Serengeti via Loliondo to avoid backtracking.

Indicative per-person high-season rates. We hold provisional space at a shortlist of lodges in each tier and book the one that fits your route.

Getting there & around

By road

4 to 5 hours from Arusha on rough roads, or 5 hours from the northern Serengeti via Loliondo.

Tip

Come between Serengeti and Arusha to avoid backtracking.

Trips that include Lake Natron

5 days · 5 daysSerengeti to NatronFrom $1,650 p.p.

Best time to visit

Best months

JFMAMJJASOND

Jun to OctDriest and least hot. Best for the volcano and the waterfall.

Aug to JanFlamingo breeding on the flats. Long walks in heat, worth it.

Nov to DecShort rains, dust laid, colours at their strongest.

Mar to MayRains make the roads hard and the heat humid. Avoid.

Practical notes

Heat: 38 C by midday. Walk at dawn, rest at noon, walk again at four.
Water: three litres a day minimum. Salt tablets help.
The climb: steep, loose, 6 hours up in the dark, 4 down. Poles and gloves essential.
Fees: village and conservation fees, included in our prices.
Roads: rough. Four to five hours from Arusha or from the Serengeti's Klein's gate.

Lake Natron questions

Is it hot?

Very. The lake sits at 600 m and days pass 38 C. Walk early, rest at midday.

Can anyone climb Lengai?

Fit, sure-footed walkers. It is steep and loose, and not for beginners.

Is the lake really red?

In the dry months the algae and salt turn the shallows red and pink. From the air it is astonishing, from the shore it shifts with the light.

Can non-climbers enjoy it?

Absolutely. The waterfalls, flamingo walks and Maasai time are the heart of the visit for most guests.

red lake,mountain of God