Lake Natron: the Ol Doinyo Lengai climb & flamingo walks
Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano in the world that erupts carbonatite lava, and the Maasai call it the Mountain of God. The climb starts at midnight, is steep, loose and hard, and puts you on the crater rim for sunrise over the Rift. The other two days are gentler: flamingo walks on the lake shore and a swim in the springs.
Where you'll go
Numbered in the order you travel. Tap any stop for what happens there.
- 1Arusha
- 2Lake Natron by road
- 3Ol Doinyo Lengai by road
- 4Lake Natron by road
- 5Arusha by road
What makes this one
- A night ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai to 2,960 metres
- Sunrise on the crater rim
- Flamingo walks on the Natron shore, July to October
- The Engaresero waterfall and hot springs
The itinerary
Lodges are the ones we usually use for this trip at this price. Every one can be traded up or down.
- Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro
Airport pickup and the drive to Arusha.
Overnight Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge or similar, half board - Day 2
To Lake Natron
Four hours north through Maasai country. An afternoon walk to the flamingo colonies and a swim in the springs. Early to bed.
Overnight Lake Natron Camp or similar, full board - Day 3
The climb
Away at midnight with a Maasai guide. Six hours up to the rim for sunrise, three or four down, and the rest of the day asleep or in the pool.
Overnight Lake Natron Camp or similar, full board - Day 4
The lake, then Arusha
A slow morning at the waterfall or a Maasai village, then the road back.
Overnight Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge or similar, half board - Day 5
Home
Breakfast and the airport transfer.
Want a day swapped, a lodge changed or a night added? Just ask.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.What $1,540 does and doesn't cover
Price is per person, group of 5 or more, green season, in US dollars. Season, lodge choice and group size change it. Tell us yours and we'll quote it exactly.
| Season | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green seasonApr to May | $2,683 | $1,873 | $1,881 | $1,684 | $1,540 |
| Shoulder seasonJan to Mar, Jun, Nov, 1 to 19 Dec | $3,183 | $2,147 | $2,075 | $1,829 | $1,843 |
| Peak seasonJul to Oct, 20 Dec to 10 Jan | $3,457 | $2,408 | $2,317 | $2,078 | $2,090 |
Per person, US dollars, per person, group of 5 or more, green season. Children under 12 are discounted; festive dates (Christmas, New Year, Easter) can carry a supplement. Your proposal states the exact figure.
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and every transfer in between
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, fridge, charging points and binoculars
- One English-speaking driver-guide for the whole safari
- All park entry and conservation fees, including the crater descent permit where the route goes down
- The lodges and camps listed, with the meals shown for each night
- Bottled water in the vehicle and picnic lunches on full game-drive days
- Flying doctors evacuation cover for the days on safari
- The Ol Doinyo Lengai climbing permit, village fees and a Maasai mountain guide
Not included
- International flights
- Tourist visa
- Mandatory inbound travel insurance, $44 per adult, bought in your own name before you fly
- Your own travel insurance
- Drinks at the lodges
- Tips for your guide, never mandatory, usually $30 to $50 a day per vehicle
- Single room supplement
- A porter for the climb, on request
Tell us your dates and group size and we'll turn $1,540 into an exact figure.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.Questions people ask
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa in advance; a single-entry tourist visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. We'll confirm what applies to your passport when we send your proposal.
Do I need the mandatory travel insurance?
Yes, unless you are a Tanzanian resident or a citizen of an East African Community or SADC state. Zanzibar arrivals have bought it from ZIC since 1 October 2024; from 1 October 2026 mainland arrivals buy it from NIC. It is $44 per adult for 92 days, one policy for the whole country, bought online before you fly. It is a basic emergency cover, so keep your own travel insurance too. Everything about it, and which portal is yours.
Which vaccinations are required?
Yellow fever proof is required if you arrive from a country where it is endemic. Malaria prevention is strongly advised for the parks and the coast. Ask your travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you fly; we'll tell you which areas your trip covers.
How does the deposit and payment work?
You pay nothing to enquire. Once you approve the proposal we confirm the lodges and flights, and we agree the deposit and balance dates with you in writing before anything is charged.
What if I need to cancel or change dates?
Tell us as early as you can. Lodge and flight terms vary by season, so the cancellation terms for your specific trip are written into your proposal, so there are no surprises later.
Are park fees and tips included?
Park and crater fees are included wherever the itinerary says so. Tips are never included and never mandatory; guides and camp staff appreciate them, and we'll suggest what is customary.
What should I pack?
Neutral colours for the bush, a warm layer for early game drives (the crater rim is cold at dawn), reef-safe sunscreen and a modest cover-up for Stone Town. We send a version of the list for your exact trip with your final documents. The packing guide for bush, beach and town.
A question that isn't here? A human answers.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.Guests on trips like this
Quoted from public reviews you can read in full on Tripadvisor, SafariBookings.
“Transparent pricing and no pressure.”
“Felt like saying goodbye to family.”
“Responsive, kind and caring, with exceptional communication.”
Or one of these
Lake Natron, Ngorongoro & a village day at Mto wa Mbu
Tarangire elephants, Natron flamingos & the crater
