Lake Natron Camp: Lake Natron, Tanzania
Way deep down into the lowest depths of the Great Rift Valley, near Ol Donyo Lengai volcano, there’s a remote camp that is edged by natural plunge pools.
Within only short walk, a guest can find rare, well-preserved human footprints left in the mud between 5,000 and 19,000 years ago. No other site in Africa has as many ancient fossilized Homo sapiens footprints.
Lake Natron Camp is rustic – which makes sense – it doesn’t look like anything other than nature should be there at all. The lake it’s named for attracts millions of flamingos that come here to breed. They feed on the blue-green algae that thrives in the soda mud flats around Lake Natron, which is very alkaline because of its proximity to the volcano.
Almost 75 percent of the world’s lesser flamingo population make seasonal mud nests here when conditions are perfect.
Scattered fresh springs around the lake provide drinking water for other animals, such as zebra and wildebeest.
A hike up the gorge will pass waterfalls, volcanic rocks, and tropical palms.
“Spectacular and interesting place in the middle of nowhere,” a Google reviewer wrote. “The pool is natural with small fish nibbling at your toes… Enjoy the THOUSANDS of flamingos, and definitely go to the nearby waterfalls and take a nice and cooling swim.”
Every tent at Lake Natron Camp has its own private path that leads to the natural swimming pool in the spring-fed stream. Guests can choose from 10 tents that are disguised under camouflaged shade netting. Main bedrooms have furniture made from Greenwood and king-sized beds outfitted with Egyptian linens. There’s a compost toilet and shower in each en-suite bathroom.
Eat meals in the mess tent equipped with a bar, refrigerator, WiFi, and charging point for cameras and phones. A review on TripAdvisor said that the food was “simple but tasty, staff was very friendly, and tents are well thought (out) and spacious. Highly recommended for adventure-seeking travelers with attention to comfort.”
Preserving the nature and history of Lake Natron is a priority for the camp’s owners, who had visited the area with their families for decades before founding the camp. They claim that Lake Natron Camp is the most ecologically sensitive permanent camp in Tanzania. Within three months of being removed, the land the camp covers would completely return to its natural state.
