Lake Natron

Natron is a very shallow, alkaline lake, 37 mi long and 16 mi wide, situated in the final stretches of the African Rift Valley, that scars the continent from the Dead Sea to Mozambique. The high soda content and remote location make it an ideal nesting site for flamingos, whose numbers equal those of Lake Nakuru in Kenya. The lake is also a watering hole for some of the smaller groups of wildebeest that pass this way.

At the southern end of the lake looms Ol Donyo Lengai (9000 ft), a perfectly asymmetrical active volcano. Lengai is the only active Soda Carbonatite volcano in the world and offers fantastic views for those strong enough to climb it. It takes 5-7 hours to climb to the summit and another 3 hours to descend with the opportunity of spending a couple of hours inside the crater when conditions allow. You have to be quite fit to climb Lengai and it is not recommended to those who suffer from vertigo.

The only fresh water in this stark and rugged area is around the Engare Sero River, which runs close by to the camp and offers fine opportunities to cool down in its swiftly-flowing, crystal clear water. The river emerges from a gorge in the escarpment and 2 hour walks up the gorge to an idyllic waterfall or visits to a local Masai Boma are some of the many unique options when visiting this ruggedly scenic area.

A few miles from the Lake we have set up a permanent camp in this remote and scenically beautiful area. This will be the base for our hiking trips into the Gol Mountains and the Serengeti. The camp consists of tents on a permanent base, with shared toilets and showers.