An Adventure in Remote Tanzania

Lake Natron is located in Northern Tanzania, near the border to Kenya. One of the reasons it doesn’t get many tourists is because it is remote and has little to no cell reception. You’re probably not going to get internet access or be able to make a phone call easily. 

Enjoy the break from technology and enjoy the beauty of nature- visit Lake Natron, Tanzania!

What’s great about Lake Natron:

Flamingoes! Flocks of flamingoes. If you venture out into the lake, you might even spot some flamingo eggs in the mud.

The Lake: Lake Natron is an alkaline lake that’s been featured in National Geographic. The lake is open for visitors to get in and get their feet dirty but is too shallow and muddy for swimming.

Animal sightings: as you drive to and from your campsite, you’ll likely spot giraffes, ostriches, wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles all freely roaming about in their natural environment.

Culture: Learn about the local Maasai culture, as lived in the Lake Natron area.

Ol Doinyo Lengai: The Mountain of God. This sacred mountain is an active volcano and an awesome single-day trek. Learn more about climbing the Mountain of God.

Hominid Foot Prints – these remarkable footprints have caused speculation for years. Did humans and their cattle manage to step into burning lava, and molten rock, and live to tell about it? How have the footprints been preserved for all these years? They are located near Lake Natron’s shore

Waterfall Hike: enjoy a leisurely waterfall hike and swim in shallow pools during the heat of the day.

Camping: there are a few lodges and accommodations at Lake Natron, but I highly recommend camping for the best experience. Stay at a shaded campsite and enjoy the beauty of nature in Lake Natron, Tanzania.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Lake Natron is during the dry season, because of the rough road. During the rainy season, the road can become very muddy and even impassable. The dry season is pretty much guaranteed to have a better (although always bumpy) road to reach the small town of Lake Natron.

There is a river that feeds the lake, so the area has a constant source of water, even during dry periods.

Reaching Lake Natron

You can access Lake Natron either via Mtu wa Mbu (a great option if you’re traveling from Lake Manyara or Tarangire parks) or via Longido. It takes approximately 4 hours to reach Lake Natron from Arusha, and 2 hours from Manyara National Park.

Other names for Lake Natron

The town itself is sometimes referred to as Engere Sero (or spelled Engeresero), although most people in the area will know what you mean if you say “Lake Natron”.

Fees and Regulations

Lake Natron is not a National Park of Tanzania, but it is a designated Conservation Area, therefore it falls under the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Management Association (WMA) and requires an appropriate WMA permit, which should be arranged and paid in advance before entering the Lake Natron area.

The cost is $35 for non-Tanzanians. These fees go to support wildlife management and the local communities in the area.

Can I self-drive to Lake Natron?

Yes! As long as you pay the WMA fees in advance you can self-drive to Lake Natron.

Please know, that this is a very remote area without cellular communication readily available. If you have car trouble, a breakdown, or any other urgent situation, you will not have support if you self-drive. If you have a guide and driver, they will have access to their car radio and backup support, in case of an emergency. It is recommended to bring all necessary food and drink (including drinking water) with you, as the local town doesn’t have much and drinking water will be expensive. What you can pretty much count on at a local restaurant or bar is warm beer and roasted goat (yum!).