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Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
Flamingos and the Maasai Mountain of God
- Lake size
- ≈ 57 × 22 km
- Volcano
- Ol Doinyo Lengai, ≈ 2,960 m
- Summit climb
- Overnight, ≈ 6–7 hrs up
- Known for
- Lesser flamingo breeding
- Temperatures
- Often above 40 °C
- Area
- Lake Natron GCA, 3,000 km²
About Lake Natron
Lake Natron lies in a hot, remote corner of the Rift Valley, between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenyan border. Its water is so alkaline that it glows red and green from the algae, and it is the most important breeding site in the world for lesser flamingos.
Above it rises Ol Doinyo Lengai, the “Mountain of God” to the Maasai, and the only active volcano on Earth that erupts carbonatite lava. Climbers start around midnight to reach the crater for sunrise.
Things to do
Flamingo walks
Walk the lakeshore at dawn and dusk among thousands of lesser flamingos.
Ol Doinyo Lengai night climb
A steep, demanding ascent by moonlight, with sunrise over the Rift. About 12 hours return.
Ngare Sero waterfalls
Wade up a narrow gorge to a series of cool, clear waterfalls.
Rift Valley walk
Walk along the escarpment wall with Maasai guides and have breakfast above the gorge.
Gallery
Getting there
Around 5–6 hours by road from Arusha via Mto wa Mbu, or combine it with the northern Serengeti through the Loliondo area.
When to go
June to October is the coolest and driest time to climb. Flamingo numbers peak in the breeding season, usually August to December.
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