3-Day Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai Adventure
A 3-day trip from Arusha to Lake Natron at a gentler pace, with flamingo and waterfall walks, a Maasai village visit and a night climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai to reach the summit around sunrise.
North of the Ngorongoro highlands, the Rift Valley drops to Lake Natron, a shallow soda lake that is the main breeding ground for East Africa's lesser flamingos. Above it rises Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai "Mountain of God" and the only active volcano in the world that erupts carbonatite lava. Three days let you travel at a gentler pace: a waterfall hike on arrival, a full day at the lake with the flamingos, the ancient footprints and a Maasai village, and a proper rest before the night climb to the volcano's rim for sunrise.
Highlights
- Flamingos on the shores of Lake Natron
- Hike and swim at the Ngare Sero waterfall
- Night climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai for sunrise at the rim
- Visit a Maasai village with a local guide
- Remote Rift Valley landscapes far from the busy parks
Your driver-guide collects you in Arusha in the early morning. You drive west to Mto wa Mbu, then north along the Rift Valley escarpment through Maasai country to Lake Natron, about 4–5 hours with stops, the last part on rough roads. After lunch at the camp, a local Maasai guide leads you up the Ngare Sero gorge to its waterfall, wading through the stream between steep rock walls; you can cool off in the pools. In the late afternoon you walk out towards the lakeshore to see the flamingos as the sun sets behind the escarpment.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: tented camp at Lake Natron.
A slow morning on the shores of Lake Natron, the most important breeding ground for East Africa's lesser flamingos, where thousands of birds feed in the shallows. You can also visit the ancient human footprints preserved in volcanic mud near Engare Sero, and spend time in a Maasai village learning about daily life. After an early dinner you go to bed early to rest before the night climb.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: tented camp at Lake Natron.
At around midnight you set off with your mountain guide to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai "Mountain of God" and the world's only active carbonatite volcano. The path is steep and covered in loose ash, and the ascent takes about 5–6 hours by headlamp, timed to reach the crater rim for sunrise over the Rift Valley. After time at the top you descend carefully back to the vehicle, return to camp to shower, have a meal and rest, then drive back to Arusha, arriving in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Price Per Person, By Group Size
| Option | 1 Guest | 2 Guests | 3 Guests | 4 Guests | 5 Guests | 6 Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days2 nights · rest day before the climb | $2,200 | $1,400 | $1,100 | $950 | $880 | $830 |
Price per person in US dollars. Groups of 7 or more receive a personal quote on request.
Please note: the climb is for fit walkers aged 16 and over, and is not suitable for people with heart, knee or back problems, vertigo or during pregnancy. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed: your Maasai guide may stop or shorten the climb because of weather, safety or volcanic activity, and the unused part is not refunded. Park, village and government fees are included at the rates in force when you book; if the authorities raise them afterwards, we may pass on the difference.
Includes
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Ol Doinyo Lengai climbing permit, with the compulsory local Maasai mountain guide
- All Lake Natron area fees: district entry fee, wildlife authority (TAWA) daily and overnight fees, and the community fee for the waterfall, flamingo and footprints walks
- Maasai village visit
- Accommodation in a tented camp at Lake Natron
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha
Excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the driver-guide and the Maasai mountain guide
- Porters on the climb (can be arranged locally)
- Personal climbing gear: headlamp, hiking boots, warm layers and walking poles
- Drinks, laundry and personal expenses
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
What to Bring for the Climb
- Sturdy hiking boots and gaiters
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- At least 3 litres of water
- Warm layer for the summit, sun protection for the descent
