Lake Natron
overview
Lake Natron is situated north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and reachable by an adventurous route passing Engaruka village. The area is not as well known as the other nature parks, but it is increasing in popularity. Temperatures in the lake can reach 50 °C (120 °F) and it is the most important breeding place for flamingos in East Africa. Every year two thousand flamingos come here to lay their eggs. Wear good shoes so you can hike up to the waterfall and enjoy a beautiful walk at the lake.
Next to the lake you will find an active volcano, Oldonyo Lengai which means ‘mountain of god’ in Maasai language. The volcano dominates the landscape in the area. Its steep slopes, which reach a height of almost 10,000 feet, tower over the Rift Valley wall.
Traces of white lava can be seen spread around for great distances. You can climb Oldonyo Lengai and experience the sunrise on top of it in a way you have never experienced it before.
About Arusha National Park
Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.
What To Do?
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
Three- or four-day Mt Meru climb – good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation
Two lodges, two rest houses, campsites, two mountain huts inside the park; more lodges at USA River outside the park and many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.
Getting There
An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.
NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.
When To Go?
Dry season (July-October) for large mammals;
Wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing
Other Related Destinations
Serengeti National Park
- Safari Destinations
Serengeti is the biggest National Park of Tanzania and even listed on the World Heritage List of Unesco.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Safari Destinations
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is actually part of the Serengeti plains to which the Maasai Mara (Kenya) also belongs to.
Tarangire National Park
- Safari Destinations
This park attracts a great amount of animals because it contains an important water source, the Tarangire river.
Lake Manyara National Park
- Safari Destinations
Only one third of this national park is land, the rest is swamp or water. The area has a size of 325km²
Arusha National Park
- Safari Destinations
Situated on the slopes of Mt. Meru, this park is only an hour drive from Arusha. Besides all the wildlife.
Mkomazi National Park
- Safari Destinations
Set beneath the verdant slopes of the spectacular Usambara and Pare Eastern Arc Mountain ranges and overseen
Lake Natron
- Safari Destinations
Lake Natron is situated north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and reachable by an adventurous route passing Engaruka village. The area is not as well known as the other nature parks,
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Safari Destinations
Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing, snow-capped tropical mountain in the planet. Stories about her resident man-eating spirits have been consigned to the realms of mythology now
