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Mount Oldonyo-Lengai & Lake Natron

Located just outside Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the north east near lake Natron, this volcano, whose Maasai name means ‘Mountain of God’ its has blown westwards onto the plains and helped shape the landscape and ecology. It is the only active volcano in the area having erupted in 1966, 1983 and 2007 Down the Oldonyo lengai we have Lake Natron which is the only breeding area for endangered lesser flamingo that can be found in rift valley lakes and it is believed to be the worlds most important breeding site for lesser flamingoes.

 

 

The mountain can be climbed 6 hours, affording breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and volcanic formations in the Ngorongoro highlands as you get to the summit. Remember it’s an active volcano it remains close during the eruptions.

lake natron

The drive to Lake Natron takes around three hours from Mto wa Mbu (beside Lake Manyara). It is hot but with the Rift Valley rising up on your left hand side, the landscape is increasingly dramatic. You will soon focus on the scenery:looking around, the views are spectacular. Drive deeper, and green vegetation gives way to a sparse, dusty landscape. Only the occasional Maasai homestead now dots the landscape.

 

To the north of this track stands a handful of great mounds – the remains of extinct volcanoes. These are soon dwarfed by the sight of Kerimasi Crater and, finally, the active Oldoinyo Lengai – whose name means “mountain of god" in the Maasai language. To finally reach Lake Natron, you drive around this imposing volcano – perhaps keeping your eyes on its smoking crown.This area is hot and often very dry and dusty – so certainly for the more intrepid traveller. But for those who do choose to visit Natron, they are rewarded with an area that is far off the beaten track and sees relatively little tourism. It is also some of the most dramatic scenery we have seen in Tanzania and the journey here is worth it for the views alone.

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