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Why Lake Natron Camp should be part of your Tanzania journey

Written by: Jonathan Goldsmith

If the name Lake Natron sounds familiar but you’re not quite sure why, there’s a good reason. Several, in fact, all of which make it an extraordinary addition to any adventure in northern Tanzania.

The location

Tucked beneath the brooding shadow of Ol Doinyo Lengai – the sacred volcano of the Maasai – Lake Natron is one of the most arresting landscapes in the country. Remote, raw and rarely visited, this corner of the Great Rift Valley offers a genuine sense of discovery.

The surrounding area is home to vibrant communities, dramatic escarpments, and hidden waterfalls reached by hiking through deep, red-rock gorges. It feels like stepping into another world.

The birdlife

The lake’s alkaline-rich waters create the ideal conditions for spirulina algae, a favourite food of flamingos – and the reason for their vivid pink hue. During the dry season, Lake Natron becomes one of East Africa’s most important breeding grounds for lesser flamingos, attracting thousands in a mesmerising, rose-hued spectacle.

Alongside them, you may spot spoonbills, egrets, terns, marabou storks and other hardy wetland birds adapted to this unique ecosystem.

The wildlife

Despite the starkness of the landscape, wildlife thrives here. Zebra, giraffe and wildebeest move across the plains, often seen picking their way along the lake’s edge. Smaller species – dik-diks, gazelles and the occasional jackal – are never far off.

Even ostriches are sometimes spotted, their ungainly stride perfectly suited to the open terrain.

Cultural connection

Lake Natron Camp is more than just a place to stay – it’s deeply embedded within the local community. From job creation to grassroots development projects, the camp actively supports the people who call this place home.

They’ve helped provide clean water to local schools, built organic gardens, and backed small businesses – all of which visitors can engage with, guided by people who live here and know the land intimately.

The archaeology

A short walk from the camp lies something truly extraordinary. Around 12,000 years ago, a group of early cattle herders passed through this landscape. They left their footprints in soft volcanic mud – footprints that were quickly buried by ash from a nearby eruption and preserved in time.

These prints, now revealed by archaeologists, offer a rare glimpse into prehistoric life. Scattered stone tools can still be found across the surrounding plains – a reminder of just how long humans have coexisted with this land.

The “red lake”

Between June and October, Lake Natron undergoes a startling transformation. As the heat intensifies, the algae begins to die off, turning the lake’s waters a deep, rust-red. Seen from above – or up close on a guided walk – it’s a surreal, almost Martian scene.

It’s also a brilliant subject for photographers and artists, particularly at dawn or dusk when the light hits the lake just right.

The camp

Lake Natron Camp is designed to tread as lightly as possible. The tents are low-impact, cleverly camouflaged, and entirely off-grid.

Spacious, shaded and comfortable, they offer welcome relief from the midday sun. Staff are drawn almost entirely from nearby communities, and their knowledge of the land and its rhythms adds real depth to your stay.

Most importantly, staying here gives you privileged access to one of the most remarkable and untouched regions of East Africa.