A lot of people skip Lake Natron and I'm really glad I included it. Natron is hard to get to. It took us 4 hours of driving to get between Tarangire and Natron. Only about 45 minutes of that is on pavement, then it's a dirt road the rest of the way. The first two hours on the dirt road was decent for us. The last hour and a half was ROUGH, even by backroads Montana standards. It's also very hot most of the year. I was there in December and the daily high temperatures were well over 95.
The payoff is in the stark beauty, the remoteness, the lack of tourists. I was the only person at Lake Natron Camp the first night I was there. The second night there was one other traveler, a French photographer who was shooting the night sky and the tens of thousands of flamingos. Most people come here for the massive number of flamingoes, up to 200,000 by some counts. They are a short 10 minute walk from camp.
Flamingos at Lake Natron (Kassandra Magruder)
Lake Natron Camp has a natural spring that flows into the lake. They have built a swimming hole and an awning provides shade. It's a fantastic place to relax, read a book and have a beverage. Zebra graze along the banks of the spring and provide a picturesque backdrop.
Lake Natron Camp (Kassandra Magruder)
The guides at Lake Natron Camp are Masaai and I was matched with Lemburis. Just out of college and from the local community, he was a great companion for my 2 days at Natron. He took me hiking to a splendid waterfall, where we escaped the scorching mid-day heat.
\Ngare Sero Waterfall - Lake Natron (Kassandra Magruder) Lemburis guiding a hike in Lake Natron (Kassandra Magruder)
He taught me about the local culture and community. I was shocked that someone from such a remote village had gone to university and come back to his community to work as a guide. As a female traveling solo, I sometimes find myself in situations that could go bad. I never worried when I was with Lemburis and my main guide, Charles. These gentlemen not only were fantastic guides, but made me feel 100% safe 100% of the time.
Lake Natron Camp (Kassandra Magruder)
The road from Natron heads northwest and into the Serengeti. There are plans to pave it, which will make it a faster drive. I'm hoping more people will visit Natron in the future. There is also an airstrip here, so it's possible to fly in and out. For serious hikers, this is where you climb Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano. You leave at midnight, to be on top at sunrise. I was tempted, but not with temperatures in the high 90's. Maybe during dry season :)
View of Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano from Lake Natron (Kassandra Magruder)
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
