Lake Natron is one of Tanzania’s most untouched and authentic nature destinations, offering aesthetic volcano views and a deadly lake in the heart of the Maasai People. In this post, I will share how you can visit Lake Natron by self driving or with a tour, what activities you can do there, where to stay and how to get your permits into the Wildlife Management Area.
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I wanted to write an in depth post about visiting this incredible lake in Tanzania because my partner and I actually found it a bit challenging to find out solid information about visiting here. So, we ended up getting in contact with an amazing host (and now our friend!) who helped us understand the journey, gave us updates on the road conditions and assisted us with our permits and payments.
We were over landing across Africa for 9 months and driving to Lake Natron was at the top of our priority list. We knew it was going to be a wild adventure and now I get to share all of the details and how to’s with you here! As well as useful contacts and beautiful stays along the journey. Let’s explore Tanzania’s most untouched and unreal nature destination…
LAKE NATRON
Lake Natron is known as the “lake that turns animals to stone”. This is one of the most unique and fascinating lakes in the world, and one that you might not ever have heard of before. Lake Natron sits at the north of Tanzania right by the border of Kenya, with the “Mountain of the Gods” in the backdrop of this epic landscape. This is the heart of the Maasai people and a dramatic change to the surrounding grassy plains of the Serengeti.
What makes this lake so unique is that high alkalinity of the water. Its ph level varies between 10 and 12 – this is because of the sodium bicarbonate & minerals that dissolves in the water from volcanic rock. The water temperature of the lake can be anywhere between 40 and 60 degrees celsius. This might sound like the most uninhabitable environment for any living organisms. But it is actually an environment that flamingoes, micro-organisms and cyanobacteria thrive in.
THE LAKE TURNS PINK AND RED…
At a certain time of the year, the lake turns into striking reds and pinks. This happens in the peak of dry season when the water levels are lower and the salinity is more concentrated. This is when the micro-organisms bloom and release these colorful pigments into the water. When this happens, flamingoes flock in the thousands to the lake for feeding on the algae and for breeding. The peak season for this spectacle is between August ad October.
Something really unbelievable happens to the animals and birds that die nearby Lake Natron. When they die, their bodies become calcified and preserved by the minerals and sodium in the lake. Over time, it turns the bodies into stone-like figures. It is actually quite amazing what they look like after the calcification process, like living beings frozen in time.
Lake Natron is not just about seeing the beautiful lake. Between the drive and staying in the Maasai village, you will experience wild animal encounters, walk with giraffes, hike to waterfalls, have an authentic cultural experience and marvel at the beauty that is Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano. There is so honestly much more to this amazing landscape than meets the eye.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
We visited Lake Natron in June and yes it was extremely hot (which is to be expected) but the weather was perfection! The best time to visit Lake Natron, especially for less challenging road conditions is during the dry season from June to October.
As I mentioned above, if you wish to see the lake with the pink and red colors, it is best to visit in August or October during the peak of dry season.
June to October is also the best time for hiking the volcano to ensure good weather and clear visibility of the views.
March to May is the heaviest rainfall months. It is best to avoid visiting during this time as the weather can disrupt your travel plans and often times the road is impassable or more dangerous for vehicles to cross the flowing rivers and muddy terrain.
During February and March is the peak breeding season for Flamingoes and hatchlings. This isan excellenttime for bird watching enthusiasts to visit here.
HOW TO GET TO LAKE NATRON FROM ARUSHA
Whether you visit Lake Natron with or without a tour, you will most likely be starting from the city of Arusha. This is a central hub of this region. Majority of tours start from here. And if you are over landing Tanzania/self driving, you might be stopping over in Arusha for a top up on supplies. There are supermarkets, auto shops and everything you will need in Arusha as you continue on your adventure towards Lake Natron and the Serengeti area.
If you are traveling from Arusha, you can first stop in the town of Mto Wa Mbu. The distance is about 113km and takes around 2 hours. You can choose to sleep over in Mto Wa Mbu or drive straight through to Lake Natron after having a quick stop over for breakfast or lunch. We actually over landed from the south of Tanzania on the A104 and when we reached the intersection that either takes you right towards Arusha or left towards Mto Wa Mbu, we turned left and went straight through to Mto Wa Mbu to sleep over there for a night before making our way to Lake Natron the next day.
From Mto Wa Mbu it is about 110km to Lake Natron. On Google Maps it says 2 hours and 40 minutes. But we took about 5 hours to get there because the road is so bumpy and the views are too good not to stop and take photos along the way! Also, it is like a surprise safari as you pass through grasslands filled with Zebras, Wildebeest, Antelope and Giraffes.
MTO WA MBU:
Mto Wa Mbu is actually a really cute town with an amazing Maasai market where you can shop for souvenirs to support the local artisans. There are also lovely cafes and restaurants to enjoy and you can get some fruits and snack supplies for your drive to the lake. If you decided to go straight to Mto Wa Mbu without stopping in Arusha, there are petrol stations along the way to fill up your tank so you don’t have to worry about that. There is a Puma at the intersection of the A104 and there is a Shell Garage in Mto Wa Mbu.
I highly recommend eating at the Mtoni Restaurant for some delicious local cuisine.
WHERE TO STAY IN MTO WA MBU
There are many options for every budget in Mto Wa Mbu. We stayed at the Fig Tree Lodge Camp. They have a pool to cool down in the heat, Wi-Fi and a restaurant if you just feel like resting up before the long drive the next day. This is a good option for budget travelers. They also have a safe and secure parking area if you are self-driving and want your vehicle parked inside the accommodation area overnight.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE NATRON
We stayed at the most beautiful camp site and lodge called World View Camp Site. It is situated high up on a hill in the centre of the Maasai Village overlooking the entire landscape on one side and the breathtaking towering volcano on the other side. To have Ol Doinyo Lengai as your view from your accommodation is just unbelievable and such a treat to your eyes!
THE CAMP SITE…
World View Camp site has both a camping area for setting up your tent and also lodging with beautiful views. What we loved about this camp site was that it is completely covered with massive green trees. This is so essential in the hot desert landscape. It offers you a break from the heat as the breeze whisps through the trees.
THE ROOMS…
We did also stay in one of the rooms to treat ourselves a bit. We were so grateful to have this space all to ourselves and to even enjoy the amazing pool in front of one of the rooms that has a completely clear view of Ol Doinyo Lengai and the village below. You can see all of the villagers herding their cattle, sheep and goats through the dramatic pathways at sunrise and sunset.
I highly recommend staying here as it is quiet, peaceful, beautiful and everything you could need is right there.
THE EXPERIENCE…
We absolutely love the owner of World View, Olchulunoti. He took such good care of us and even helped us every step of the way with permits, payments and keeping us up to date about the road conditions and the weather. They can make you all of your meals on site if you choose the full-board option. All of your adventures and tours can also be organized directly through him if you are self-visiting Lake Natron. We didn’t have a single complaint during our 4 days here. It was amazing from start to finish and we were actually sad to leave because we felt so welcomed and we had the most authentic and heart warming experience every single day here.
You can contact Olchulunoti directly on WhatsApp: +255 685 598 952. If you have any concerns, questions or need help arranging your permits, then he is your man!
I will share more in the next section about getting your permits for entering this Wildlife Management Area.
I wanted to suggest one more amazing place to stay called Lake Natron Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge and Camping. This is a more luxury option situated towards the start of the village. Although we didn’t stay here, we did have a sneak peak and it is absolutely beautiful. We also met people who stayed here and they said they had a lovely experience. No matter what your budget is, you really can’t go wrong with either option.
HOW TO GET YOUR PERMITS FOR LAKE NATRON:
If you are visiting Lake Natron with a tour operator, all of the fees are usually included in the tour cost and the company takes care of ensuring your permits are organized for you. So, if you are on a tour you do not need to worry about obtaining this beforehand. Just make 100% sure with your tour company that everything is in order a few days before.
Every person visiting Lake Natron needs to pay the following fees:
- Wildlife Management Area fee per day.
- Once-off gate entry fee.
- Once-off activity fee.
- If you are self driving a foreign licensed/registered vehicle, you will also be paying a fee per day for the vehicle.
- A camping or lodging fee per day.
These fees go towards the conservation and preservation of the land and wildlife and towards the local community.
This is what we paid per fee in 2025, but please note that the fees can slightly increase each year and it is best to reach out to either World View or your accommodation for the updated costs:
- Wildlife Management Area fee per day per person: $35.40
- Once-off gate entry fee per person: $35
- Once-off activity fee per person: $20
- Foreign registered vehicle fee per day: $35
- Camping/lodging fee per day per person: $10
PAY THE FEES ALONG THE WAY:
Having your accommodation organize the permits and payment of the different fees for you is the easiest route. But you can also pay for the fees on your way to Lake Natron. You will arrive at the WMA office in Engare Sero along the drive to Lake Natrron. Here you will explain your itinerary, how many nights you plan to stay and your vehicle information. You need to present your passport too. They will calculate the total cost of your time at the lake and give you your permit for entry. Even though they do have a card machine at the office, I highly recommend having sufficient cash with you because this is a remote area and signal is easily lost.
THE CARNET DE PASSAGES: If you are driving a foreign registered vehicle across the African countries, you need to obtain the Carnet De Passages from within your home country before over landing. It is basically a passport for your car. Tanzania is one of the countries that will check this book upon entry and exiting any land border.
SELF DRIVING TIPS TO LAKE NATRON
Self driving to Lake Natron is a whole adventure in itself. It is one of the most stunning drives we did in the whole of our African over landing journey… and the most memorable. Because it was dry season when we went, the only challenging part of the road was how bumpy it is and there is a section with many volcanic rocks to cross. But we are amateur 4×4’ers and we could do it, so you can definitely do it too! You really just need to drive slowly, with patience and practice caution.
Our rule when over landing anywhere in Africa was that if we EVER felt uncomfortable to cross a certain section, we would just wait until another vehicle crosse our path to either see how they do it or to ask them for assistance. Everyone is so helpful and willing to guide you through challenging situations. We thankfully only ever had to do this once in Namibia at a river crossing but otherwise our journey was smooth (grateful!).
The road is EXTREMELY dusty. I can’t exaggerate this enough. Our car (his name is Larry) was completely covered in dust, in and out, in every crevice. It is best to use the AC instead of opening your windows to avoid dust layers forming in your car. We gave Larry a quick clean when we arrived and then a full-on clean back in Mto Wa Mbu at the Shell Garage before going to Arusha to avoid any damage from dust settling in the engine/car parts.
It is best to only attempt this drive if you have a reliable, high clearance 4×4.
PREPARE IN MTO WA MBU:
This goes without saying but make sure that all of your spare tires are good to go before you drive from Mto Wa Mbu to the lake. The possibility of getting one or more flat tires on this road is high and you don’t want to be stuck here. We pumped our tires down to 1.8 bars for the drive.
It is also best to fill up your tank with petrol for the drive to and from the lake. You might end up doing some driving adventures around the lake so it is best to have no worries about running out of fuel. We filled up our jerry can with diesel in case of an emergency. We also made sure we had enough drinking water and water for the engine.
WHAT TO DO IN LAKE NATRON:
There was something so special that stuck out for me when we were here. And that was just being there, exploring the lake and the village, felt so immersive without needing to seek out an authentic experience. Our entire time here felt so organic and beautiful. And we formed such heart warming connections with the local people, especially the children and women down by the lake who sell their handicrafts there. There is something about the Maasai people here and their energy that really leaves footprints in your heart. We felt extremely welcome by everyone we interacted with. The nature is also so untouched and so mind-blowing that it feels like you have stepped into another world so far away from everything and everyone else.
If you are not doing a tour, you can arrange all of these activities through World View or your respective accommodation.
WALK AROUND BY THE LAKE:
There is a parking spot down by the lake where you can leave your car and explore the surrounding area. The 360 degree panorama is unlike anything I had seen on our entire Africa trip. On one side you have the deadly lake, fringed with rich green grass, wildebeest grazing, flamingoes spotted across the water. And the other side is the all-mighty Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in all of its glory.
The Maasai women and children also sit down by the lake with their handmade arts and crafts. If you can, supporting them by buying their jewelry/statues makes their day and helps them to support their families and the community.
From the parking spot, you can walk further up the hill to a view point that overlooks the entire landscape. If you have the chance to do this, I highly recommend it. It feels like you standing on top of the world!
SEE THE GIRAFFES IN THE VIEW OF OL DOINYO LENGAI
There are so many giraffes wandering in this area. You might spot them munching on the trees in the view of the volcano. You can admire them from a safe distance and capture the most stunning photos of them in this backdrop. This was actually a highlight of our time here.
THE WATERFALL HIKE:
This is a stunning 40 minute walk from World View to a majestic waterfall called the Engare Sero River Waterfall. A local Maasai guide is mandatory (honestly this makes the hike even cooler!). He will guide you up through the gorge to the waterfall.
HIKE UP OL DOINYO LENGAI:
Reaching the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai can take anywhere between 6 to 12 hours. This is an active volcano with extremely unique formation on the inside of the cone. It looks as though there are a bunch of smaller volcanoes within the volcano once you reach the summit. You will most likely reach the top just before sunrise in order to see the red of the lava inside the volcano.
THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY ESCARPMENT HIKE:
Hiking to the Great Rift Valley Escarpment will offer you breathtaking views of the village, the lake and the entire surrounding landscape. This is also easier than the volcano hike. You will be shown the way by local guides and enjoy scenic views along the way.
EXPERIENCE THE HOT SPRINGS:
As if this region couldn’t get any more amazing, there are also hot springs! This is something that we really wish we had done but we felt like the terrain might be too much to navigate on our own. The hot springs are about 10 to 15kms from the village, along the eastern ridges of the lake. It is safe to swim in the mineral rich springs, there are even little fish in the waters who have adapted to the conditions.
CYCLE AROUND LAKE NATRON:
You can take a fat-tire bicycle to freely explore all the best spots in the village and around the lake. This is a great option for tourists visiting here without a tour and without their own transport. You will come across wildlife along your journey and feel as free as a bird and connected to the nature all around you. We did something similar to this in Kenya at Lake Naivasha and it was such an amazing feeling to be so open in the wild, just you and the nature with no barriers.
VISITING LAKE NATRON WITH A TOUR
The benefits of visiting Lake Natron with a tour is that all of the logistics are organized for you. You do not need to worry about how to get there or any of the admin. There are a couple of wonderful tours that depart from Arusha that will give you the full experience of the lake, the wildlife, the cultural Maasai experience and some of them even include the surrounding activities:
Arusha: Lake Natron Day Trip (Lake Walk & Waterfall Hike)
Lake Natron Day Trip from Arusha
From Arusha: Lake Natron Flamingo and Waterfall Day Trip
Arusha: Lake Natron 3-Day Tour with Maasai Village Visit
Ol Doinyo Lengai Overnight Hike With Lake Natron Option
IS LAKE NATRON WORTH VISITING?
After reading everything I have shared with you on how to visit this incredible region of Tanzania, I hope you have no doubts on whether Lake Natron should be on your itinerary or not! It was seriously a bucket-list destination that far exceeded my expectations and was even more beautiful in real life than I had ever seen online.
Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai and the Maasai Village experience is so worth visiting. When you are there, you feel immersed in a raw and untouched gem of this country. You are so welcomed by the people who protect and care for this land and who have adapted to survive in such wild conditions. It will leave you feeling so fulfilled, so inspired and so grateful that places and people like this still exist on this Earth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
IS THE ROAD TO LAKE NATRON DANGEROUS?
The road is not dangerous or life-threatening. But if you are self-driving, you should be well-equipped in case of flat tires because the road is rocky and you can drive over volcanic rock that has fallen from the volcano. You should drive slowly and with caution as the road can be very bumpy and there are wild animals crossing the road between the grassy plains.
The road is more challenging in the rain season and after heavy cloud bursts even in dry season. The rain makes the road extremely muddy and sometimes impassable because of rivers forming that are too strong to pass if you are not an experienced driver or have a suitable vehicle. It is recommended to only do this drive if you have a reliable vehicle/4×4 that can handle the rough terrain. If you go with a tour then you have nothing to worry about as the tour operators only do this drive with suitable 4x4s.
CAN YOU SWIM IN LAKE NATRON?
No, you definitely should never swim in Lake Natron. The water is extremely hot and very high in pH levels. This is highly toxic to humans. Touching or swimming in this water can cause skin irritation and burns. You can go blind if it comes into contact with your eyes.
WHAT IS THE ELEVATION OF LAKE NATRON?
Lake Natron is around 600m (2000 feet) above sea level. Because of its low altitude within the East African Rift Valley, it is extremely hot and dry.
AT WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR IS THE LAKE PINK?
The lake is not pink all year round. It only turns pink in the peak of dry season when the water levels are low and the algae begins to bloom. This generally happens between August and October. This is also when the flamingoes flock to the lake for feeding and breeding.
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