Top 9 Activities to do at Lake Natron
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Lake Natron sits at the lowest point of the valley in East Africa at an altitude of 600m or 2000feet above sea level. Here the water evaporates leaving behind very high concentrations of soda. Algae and zooplankton thrive in this water, which in turn supports great numbers of flamingos. The combination of remoteness and the hostility of the soda mud-flats provides the flamingos with a relatively safe area to breed and rear chicks. The lake is also surrounded by scattered springs, some of which are fresh enough to provide drinking water for many species of animals, large and small.
The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Mozambique in the south, a distance of about 5600km. The valley is created by two tectonic plates moving apart causing the valley floor to drop down leaving intact and fragmented valley walls or escarpments. The prominent escarpment in this area lies to the west. Volcanoes and craters of different ages are scattered around the valley. Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) is the only active volcano in Tanzania. Volcanism around the Great Rift Valley produces soda (Sodium Carbonate), which is washed down by rain and ground water.
Here are the top activities to do with your stay at Lake Natron Camp
Swimming
Cool off in any one of the natural plunge pools in front of the accommodation units or dining/ bar area. There is also larger pool suitable for swimming further down stream as well as endemic cyclids – bring some goggles or ask our team for a pair!
Flamingo Walks
The beguiling lesser flamingo feed on algae found in soda lakes across eastern Africa but choose to breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron. Guests can take early morning or sunset walks to the lake flats.
Bird Watching
The Lake Flats surrounding the waters edge contain small streams, lakes and hills that provide a variety of hospitable environments for birds that thrive in the alkali oasis. Take evening or morning walks to the lake, pond and marsh for bird-watching.
Hominid Footprints
Walk to hominid footprints within the concession area. New research has now confirmed these track-ways to be 120,000-years-old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens track-ways yet discovered.
Ngare Sero Water Falls
Let us arrange half or full day walks up Engare Sero gorge to several waterfalls. The scenery is a unique blend of arid volcanic rocks and lush tropical palms. Wear shoes that can get wet. Take 1 liter of water and snacks.
Ngare Sero SOURCE adventure hike
A full day hiking deep into the Ngare Sero gorge to see the source of the river. A picnic lunch is taken and at least 3 liters of water are required. A great alternative to climbing Lengai if the Lengai ascent is deemed not hikable.
The Rift Valley Day Hike
A great alternative to climbing Lengai, this adventurous hike (6 hours, 10km) leaves at dawn from camp and you transfer to the base of the rift valley wall. You then scale the wall on foot, ascending close to the Ngare Sero gorge to enjoy the dawn. A picnic breakfast is taken with you and once on top this is the perfect place to enjoy being in one of the most dramatic view points in this region. After breakfast descend back down another route, or select the same way depending on time.
Sundowner with a View
Take a 10minute drive to the top of nearby hill.Enjoy your sundowner overlooking the Lake Natron, the majestic Lengai and Gelai mountains and watch the sun go down behind the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley.
Maasai Boma Visit
This part of the Great Rift Valley is populated by the Masai people. Masai bomas spread around the area, but the main central village is few kilometres away to the west at the base of the escarpment. The village is named Engare Sero, which means dappled water. This village gets its name from the river flowing out of the escarpment through a spectacular gorge that is both arid and lush.
