After breakfast, we head towards Lake Natron, located in the Great Rift Valley. On the way, you can see beautiful landscapes, traditional Maasai and the only active volcano in East Africa, Oldonyo Lengai. Lake Natron is a highly salty lake, famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingos. More than 75% of the world’s flamingos breed here since it is peaceful, remote, and has plenty of food. These Lesser Flamingos are one of the few animals that can survive these extreme conditions. The microorganisms that live in Lake Natron’s shallow waters give the lake stunning colours, varying from red to orange to pink.
Activities to do at Lake Natron:
Swimming
Cool off in any one of the natural plunge pools in front of the accommodation units or dining/ bar area. There is also a larger pool suitable for swimming further downstream as well as endemic cycles – bring some goggles or ask our team for a pair!
Flamingo Walks
The beguiling lesser flamingo feeds on algae found in soda lakes across eastern Africa but chooses to breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron. Guests can take early morning or sunset walks to the lake flats.
Bird Watching
The Lake Flats surrounding the water’s edge contain small streams, lakes and hills that provide a variety of hospitable environments for birds that thrive in the alkali oasis. Take evening or morning walks to the lake, pond and marsh for bird-watching.
Hominid Footprints
Walk to hominid footprints within the concession area. New research has now confirmed these track-ways to be 120,000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens track-ways yet discovered.
Ngare Sero Water Falls
Let us arrange half or full-day walks up Engare Sero gorge to several waterfalls. The scenery is a unique blend of arid volcanic rocks and lush tropical palms. Wear shoes that can get wet. Take 1 litre of water and snacks.
Ngare Sero SOURCE adventure hike
A full day hiking deep into the Ngare Sero gorge to see the source of the river. A picnic lunch is taken and at least 3 liters of water are required. A great alternative to climbing Lengai is if the Lengai ascent is deemed not likeable.
The Rift Valley Day Hike
A great alternative to climbing Lengai, this adventurous hike (6 hours, 10km) leaves at dawn from camp and you transfer to the base of the Rift Valley wall. You then scale the wall on foot, ascending close to the Ngare Sero gorge to enjoy the dawn. A picnic breakfast is taken with you and once on top, this is the perfect place to enjoy being in one of the most dramatic viewpoints in this region. After breakfast descend back down another route, or select the same way depending on time.
Sundowner with a View
Take a 10-minute drive to the top of a nearby hill. Enjoy your sundowner overlooking Lake Natron, the majestic Lengai and Gelai mountains and watch the sun go down behind the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley.
Maasai Boma Visit
This part of the Great Rift Valley is populated by the Masai people. Masai bomas spread around the area, but the main central village is a few kilometres away to the west at the base of the escarpment. The village is named Engare Sero, which means dappled water. This village gets its name from the river flowing out of the escarpment through a spectacular gorge that is both arid and lush.
