The lake is in the Arusha area on the boundary between Tanzania and Kenya. About six hours drive from Arusha town, this is a region off the usual path, with a near-pristine forest reserve mixed with vast grass plains dotted with mountains, rocky hills, and even an active volcano – Ol Doinyo Lengai, “Mountain of God,” in Maasai. Some of the most amazing sights in Africa are found here.

Highlights of the wildlife of Lake Natron

Big game is rare in the area; it does not pretend to match the surrounding Serengeti and Ngorongoro for numbers. On the lake shore, where fewer flamingo (about 2.5 million, the biggest breeding colony in the world) are gathering to feast on the blue-green algae Spirulina, you are assured a breathtaking view! Other wildlife highlights include viewing the long-necked gerenuk, although none of them quite captures the overwhelming grandeur of the Natron terrain. Surrounded by the Great Rift itself, the main attraction of this place is indeed landscape!

Things to do near Lake Natron

Ol Doinyo Lengai is a very steep climb with a wonderful location “guarding” Lake Natron; nonetheless, reach its peak and you are rewarded with amazing views across Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and all the Rift Valley mountains. On a clear day, this perspective is really amazing. But then marvel at “the Lake Natron footprints,” fossilized footprints from two groups of Homo sapiens crossing the volcanic-ash terrain over 120,000 years. Descend to the coast. Worth a visit, this is one of the biggest collections of human footprints available anywhere.

The place is also noteworthy for its position on village land instead of inside a game reserve or national park forbidden for human habitation. Consequently, here human and wildlife populations have a tight and usually symbiotic relationship. Mostly Maasai, the former gain from local tourism. Among the greatest in Tanzania, travellers gain in turn from very authentic cultural encounters!