Lake Natron Camp
Click here to see more photos and become our fan on the Lake Natron Camp Facebook page.
At the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa at an altitude of 600m above sea level, sits the shallow Lake Natron. Here, between the only active volcano in Tanzania, Oldonyo Lengai to the south, pinnacles of Mt Gelai to the east, the gorge etched escarpment of the Rift Valley to the west, and the mirror-surfaced lake, a sanctuary to thousands of flamingos to the north, is the cool oasis adjacent to the soda flats where Lake Natron eco-camp lies.
Our sister camp has 8 sleeping tents, one common tent with the bar, dining and lounge area, and one guide’s tent. The camouflaged Bedu tents were especially designed for the Natron area and patented by us. The Bedu tents help keep guests cool during the day and protect them from the occasional strong winds. Each tent is furnished with full size beds, quality linen and blankets, bedside tables, reading lamps, tables and chairs and has its own running water, shower and compost toilet tent. A private path leads from each tent to a natural swimming pool in the spring-fed stream.
Lake Natron Camp has been build and managed by an eco-enthusiast Tim Leach, who is investing a great deal of effort into protecting this unique sensitive wetland environment. It is operated as a very low impact eco-camp.
There are no permanent structures, no cement bricks or wooden platforms. Our Bedu Tents are camouflaged for low view-shed and equipped with compost toilets. Water is manually pumped directly from the spring for bathing and run through a desalination filter for drinking. A carbon-neutral vegetable oil powered generator is hidden underground to eliminate noise.
We have a 315 hectare concession area for conservation with the Engare Sero village and we physically protect it from poaching and livestock over-grazing. The income generated by the community from tourism is used primarily for secondary school education. Thus, we are helping to increase the value of the environment and its wildlife for the local masai village and provide the community with the incentive to further protect and cherish this wild area.
See our online brochure:
A short film about Lake Natron eco-camp.
read more
Activities
You can either relax in your tent and watch wildlife coming to drink at the spring, or partake in a myriad of activities while at camp.
Flamingo Walks
10$ per person
The beguiling lesser flamingo feed on algae found in soda lakes across eastern Africa but choose to breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron. Every evening hundreds of pink flamingos fly overhead, exposing the deep garnet feathers under their wings.
Bird Watching
10$ per person
The Lake Flats surrounding the waters edge contain small streams, lakes and hills that provide a variety of hospitable environments for birds that thrive in the alkali oasis.
Swimming
Complimentary
Follow your private path to the stream, cool off and relax in the crystal clear water adjacent to your tent.
Homo Sapience Footprints
$5 per person conservation fee, $10 – village fee
Walk to hominid footprints within our concession area. New research has now confirmed these track-ways to be 120,000-years-old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens track-ways yet discovered.
Sundowner with a view
$50 per group
Order drinks of choice from the bar, and let us take you to the nearby hill for a sundowner to enjoy spectacular views of glistering Lake Natron surrounded by magestic mountains and volcanoes of the Great Rift Valley.
Camel Rides
$10 per person up to one hour ride
A small herd of camels are living with us at camp. These were rescued a few years ago and are now breeding, so we have young riding camels that can take our guests for short hacks.
Engare Sero Water Falls
$50 per group
Let us arrange half or full day walks up Engare Sero gorge to several waterfalls. The scenery is a unique blend of arid volcanic rocks and lush tropical palms.
Masai Boma
$10 per person, $60 per group village fee
Visit a traditional Masai boma around the Engaresero village land. Take home amazing pictures and home-made beaded jewelry.
Oldonyo Lengai Volcano Climb
Set against the Rift Wall, lies the 3000m tall “Mountain of God”. An overnight ascent lit by moonlight is an unforgettable and mystical experience. Let us arrange climbs up our own south-east route guided by our experienced local masai guides.
1 or 2 pax: $200 per group, plus $25 per person (1 guide)
3 to 8 pax: $300 per group, plus $25 per person (2 guides)
9 to 12 pax: $400 per group, plus $25 per person (3 guides)
Lengai overnight groups
$90 per porter, 1 porter for every 2 climbers (max 10kg)
$20 pp village fee
$10 per guide or porter village fee
$10 per person per meal
Bring your own tent and sleeping gear or make prior arrangement to hire tents
Rates
Full-board – meals and accommodation: 260$ per person
Village Fee and Wildlife Division Fee: 30$ per person
For reservations contact us at camp@ecoTZ.com
Tel: +255 73 297 8931
Cell: +255 764 305 435, +255 782 749 010