Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai: flamingos, a volcano and the trip from Arusha (who it suits, how many days, price)
Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border, is a red and pink soda lake where lesser flamingos nest, watched over by the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai "mountain of God". It is a long, raw trip far from the classic parks: offers seen in October 2026 run from a 13-hour day from Arusha to 2 or 3 days with a waterfall and a Maasai village visit, and the night climb of Lengai is sold from about 740 dollars per person camping. For a traveller combining with Zanzibar, it is a detour for those with at least 4 days to spend on the mainland who prefer landscapes and hikes to wildlife.
Highlights
The lesser flamingos of the lake
Flamingos gather on the shallow, algae-rich edges of the lake. Numbers vary a lot from season to season: ask what the agency has seen recently.
Ol Doinyo Lengai
An active volcano of about 2,960 metres. The climb is done at night to avoid the heat and reach the crater at dawn; it is steep and takes 7 to 12 hours according to one operator, and can be cancelled if the volcano is unstable.
The Engare Sero waterfall
A walk through a gorge ending at a waterfall and pool, the easiest outing in the area for those who do not climb the volcano.
Practical info
Tips
- A local guide is required in the area, according to operators: it is included in the offers. Do not go into the lake itself, which is very hot and caustic. Compare three things before paying: the length (the drive is long), the type of accommodation (camping or lodge, in the range of 740 to 935 dollars for Lengai) and what is included. If you want animals, the two-day safari from Zanzibar to Ngorongoro and Tarangire is a better idea. For formalities see visa, vaccines and entry rules and for a bed before the start, Arusha.
How to get there
From Zanzibar, fly to Arusha (about 1 hour to 1 hour 20), then drive by 4x4 with the agency: the journey is long, several hours on tracks (day trips last 13 hours). We found no useful public transport.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.