The Top 9 Activities To Do At Lake Natron : At an elevation of 600 meters, or 2000 feet above sea level, Lake Natron is located at the valley’s lowest point in East Africa. Here, as the water evaporates, a lot of soda is left behind. The abundance of zooplankton and algae in this water supports a large population of flamingos. The flamingos have a relatively safe place to breed and raise chicks thanks to the remoteness and hostility of the soda mudflats. There are numerous springs all around the lake, some of which are fresh enough to serve as water sources for a variety of animals, both large and small.
The Great Rift Valley spans approximately 5600 kilometers from northern Ethiopia to southern Mozambique. The valley was formed when two tectonic plates separated, causing the valley floor to descend and the valley walls, or escarpments, to remain intact and fragmented. West of here is where the prominent escarpment is located. The valley is dotted with craters and volcanoes of various ages. The only active volcano in Tanzania is Oldoinyo Lengai, also known as the Mountain of God. Soda (Sodium Carbonate), which is produced by volcanism near the Great Rift Valley, is washed away by rain and groundwater.
LAKE NATRON TOURIST ACTIVITIES: HERE ARE THE TOP 9 THINGS TO DO AT LAKE NATRON
Swimming: Cool off in any of the natural plunge pools that are located in front of the lodging, dining, or bar areas. Bring some goggles, or ask our staff for a pair! There is a larger pool suitable for swimming further down the stream, as well as endemic cyclids.
Flamingo Walks: Although the alluring lesser flamingo chooses to breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron, it feeds on the algae that is present in soda lakes all over eastern Africa. Visitors can stroll to the lake flats in the early morning or late at night.
Bird Watching: The small streams, lakes, and hills that make up the Lake Flats, which are located near the water’s edge, offer a variety of hospitable habitats for the birds that thrive in the alkali oasis. Take walks in the morning or evening to the lake, pond, and marsh to observe the birds.
Hominid Footprints: Within the concession area, stroll to the hominin footprints. These trackways are now known to be 120,000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens trackways ever found.
Explore the Ngare Sero Waterfalls: Let’s set up an afternoon or full-day hike to the waterfalls in the Engare Sero Gorge. A unique combination of dry volcanic rocks and lush tropical palms characterizes the landscape. Wear water-resistant shoes. Take some snacks and a liter of water.
Adventure hike at Ngaresero: a multi-day hike into the Ngare Sero gorge to view the river’s source. It is customary to pack a picnic lunch and at least three liters of water. This is a fantastic substitute for the Lengai ascent.
The Rift Valley Day Hike: This challenging hike (6 hours, 10 km) departs from camp at dawn and transfers you to the base of the rift valley wall, making it a fantastic substitute for climbing Lengai. Then, to enjoy the dawn, you ascend close to the Ngare Sero gorge as you scale the wall on foot. Once on top, this is the ideal spot to enjoy being at one of this region’s most dramatic view points while enjoying a picnic breakfast that you brought with you. Depending on time, continue down the same path after breakfast or take a different one.
Sundowner with a View: Drive for ten minutes to the summit of the nearby hill. Enjoy your sundowner while looking out over Lake Natron, the magnificent Lengai and Gelai mountains, and the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Maasai Boma Visit: The Masai are the inhabitants of this region of the Great Rift Valley. Masai bomas are scattered throughout the region, but the main village is a few kilometers to the west at the foot of the escarpment. The name of the community, Engare Sero, translates to “dappled water.” The river that emerges from the escarpment through a breathtaking gorge that is both arid and lush gives this community its name.
