Lake Natron

Travel Notes Lake Natron

Lake Natron

A visit to Lake Natron feels like stepping onto another planet. The lake’s high salinity and alkalinity create surreal landscapes, with pink and red hues caused by microorganisms thriving in the water. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise: more than 2 million flamingos and many other species gather here.

You can walk across the baked mud flats to the shores of the soda lake, hike to the Engero Sero Waterfalls, or climb the Rift Valley escarpment for sunrise views over the gorge and volcanic terrain.

For the adventurous, there’s also Oldoinyo Lengai, an active volcano. The climb starts around 22:00 and takes the whole night and morning. We only recommend this if you are staying at least three nights in Lake Natron.

Covered on this page:

  1. Things to do
  2. Guide
  3. Lodges near Engare Sero (Lake Natron Checkpoint)
  4. To: Kleins Gate (Serengeti)
  5. To: Mto wa Mbu / Arusha

Things to do

  • Engero Sero Waterfalls – A two-hour walk takes you to a natural swimming pool surrounded by cliffs and palm trees.

  • Lake walks – Explore the soda flats and flamingo-rich shores.

  • Escarpment climb – At sunrise, hike up the Rift Valley escarpment for sweeping views.

  • Oldoinyo Lengai – A tough overnight climb of Tanzania’s only active volcano. Best for very fit travellers with time to spare.

Guide

  • Contact Lucas (WhatsApp: +255 767 754 489). He’s reliable, well-connected, and able to arrange alternative guides if he’s unavailable.

  • No need to book weeks in advance — a few days’ notice is fine.

  • Mention Roadtrip Africa when you reach out, and share your arrival details and requests.

Lodges near Engare Sero (Lake Natron Checkpoint)

These lodges are all signposted and located close to Engare Sero town, the entrance to Lake Natron Wildlife Conservation Area:

  • Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge

  • Africa Safari Lake Natron

  • Lake Natron Camp

To: Kleins Gate (Serengeti)

Distance & time

  • 160 km | 4–5 hrs

Route

  • Exit Engare Sero heading west.
  • Continue to Sale → Wasso → Soitosambu → Ololosokwan → Kleins Gate.

Navigation

  • These roads do not appear on Google Maps.
  • Use maps.me and plot the route step by step (e.g. Engare Sero → Sale → Wasso).

To: Mto wa Mbu / Arusha

Distance & time

  • 225 km | 5–7 hrs

Tip

Bring a packed lunch — this is a long, remote drive.

Route 1 (via Engaruka & Selela)

  • Exit Engare Sero east at the Longido Border checkpoint (Lake Natron fee barrier).
  • Follow the main road approximately 40 km to a junction and turn right.
  • Continue via Engaruka and Selela.
  • Arrive in Mto wa Mbu. From here, follow the signs/navigation to Arusha.

Route 2 (scenic, rougher)

  • Exit Engare Sero east at the Longido Border checkpoint.
  • After approximately 20 km, turn left onto a rough, more challenging road. Drive carefully and enjoy the scenery.
  • Continue until you reach a tarred road, then turn right.
  • Pass through Longido town and continue straight to Arusha.
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