Welcome to Lake Natron Camp…
We hope you enjoy
your stay with us and we intent to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Please ask the manager any questions or concerns you may have while you
are at camp. There are a myriad of activities to partake during the day,
dusk, dawn and even at night. You may walk on the soda flats beside the
lake, see wildlife, trek to waterfalls at the Engare Sero River, view
or even climb the volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai, and many other amazing sights
on foot! Please see your activities list on the back of this note for
more options and information.
This is a wild environment and a water source, so please be as quiet and
discrete as possible so not to create a disturbance for animals and other
guests. Thank you.
Bedu Shade Tents
- The Bedu tents were designed and patented by Timothy Leach (owner &
director).
They are designed to keep you cool during the day and protected from both
flying insects and the sometimes fierce winds. Since the camp is exposed,
camouflage is important for keeping the entire camp less visible. The
camp has only eight guest Bedu tents and one dining/common area tent:
"The Boma" this is where you will have all your meals and where
the bar is located. It is also a great area to relax and meet other guests.
All guest tents at Lake Natron Camp are named after the surrounding
mountains.
Tent #1 - Lengai (first right)
Tent #2 - Kerimassi
Tent #3 - Kitumbeini
Tent #4 - Gelai
Tent #5 - Mosonik
Tent #6 - Sambu
Tent #7 - Shompole
Tent #8 - Self camping area. (first left)
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Activities
(rates per person)
Flamingos - $5 Lake Natron flats evening or morning walks to flamingos.
Bird Watching - $5 Lake Natron flats evening or morning walks to
ponds for bird watching.
Moonlit Walks - $5 Lake Natron flats moonlit walks
Natron Footprints - $5
Walk to homonid footprints within our concession area.
Natron Tubing - $5 Lay on a tube and gently float down the stream
toward Lake Natron. Take a drink of choice.
Sundowner - $30 per group Lake Natron sundowner on nearby hill.
Order drinks of choice from the bar.
Water Falls - $30 per
group Our vehicle to the Engare Sero Gorge then walk to first water falls.
Wear shoes that can get wet. Take 1 litre of water and snacks.
Gorge Source - $50 per group Our vehicle to the Engare Sero Gorge
then longer walk to upper water falls and to the source. Wear boots, take
flip flops, 2 litres of water and snacks.
Night Out - $20 Lake Natron flats fly camping under the stars.
Camels - $20 Short camel rides under 1 hour.
Yoga - Private and group
pre-arranged classes with Stacia
Contact: YogaSafari@ecoTZ.com or talk to management.
Oldoinyo Lengai climb
- Our vehicle to the base. Leave camp at midnight for peak at sunrise.
Or leave camp at 2pm for overnight at south crater (only if volcano is
calm).
Up to 2pax, $175 per group, plus $25 per person. (1 guide)
3 to 8 pax, $225 per group, plus $25 per person. (2 guides)
9 to 12 pax. $300 per group, plus $25 per person.. (3 guides)
Overnight groups need 1 porter for every 2 climbers, $60 per porter.
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The Great Rift Valley, Lake
Natron & Oldoinyo Lengai
The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Mozambique in
the south, a distance of about 5600km. The valley is created by two tectonic
plates moving apart causing the valley floor to drop down leaving intact
and fragmented valley walls or escarpments. The prominent escarpment in
this area lies to the west. Volcanoes and craters of different ages are
scattered around the valley. Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) is the
only active volcano in Tanzania. Volcanism around the Great Rift Valley
produces soda (Sodium Carbonate) which is washed down by rain and ground
water. Lake Natron sits at the lowest point of the valley in East Africa
at an altitude of 600m or 2000feet above sea level. Here the water evaporates
leaving behind very high concentrations of soda.
Algae and zooplankton thrive in this water which in turn supports great
numbers of flamingos. The combination of remoteness and the hostility
of the soda mud-flats, provides the flamingos with a relatively safe area
to breed and rear chicks. The lake is also surrounded by scattered springs,
some of which are fresh enough to provide drinking water for many species
of animals, large and small. Camp is located at one of these oases.
This is truly an ancient and unique environment where man possibly evolved.
The Masai
This part of the Great Rift Valley is populated by the Masai peoples.
There are Masai bomas spread around the area, but the main central village
is several kilometres away to the west at the base of the escarpment.
The village is named Engare Sero (similar to our lodge at the base of
Mount Meru, Ngare Sero). Engare Sero means dappled water or black and
white water.
This village gets its name from the river flowing out of the escarpment
through a spectacular gorge that is both arid and lush. The source of
the Engare Sero River is ground water originating from the Ngorongoro
highlands.
We have a concession with the Engare Sero village to use this area for
tourism. In return the village receives $20 per guest per night, plus
a yearly land rent fee. It has been agreed that this money be used primarily
for secondary education. We are also involved in community projects that
have been requested by the villagers themselves.
Our presence here helps increase the value of the environment and its
wildlife for the villagers and therefore gives incentive for the village
to further protect and cherish this wild area. We also apply pressure
to ensure that poaching of wildlife is reduced and dealt with by law.
Thank you for visiting Lake Natron and the Engare Sero area.
Financial & Social information:
(2006 & 2007)
A total of 41,500,000 Shs has gone into the local economy to date from
our company.
Of which 36,500,000 Shs has been paid into the village bank account as
land rent and bed night fees.
Starting from July 2007, all bed night and land rent earnings go into
a new village bank account for the purpose of building the new secondary
school located in Monik.
The fiscal year of 2006 has been audited and our company created the biggest
income for the village for that year.
Ecological information:
An environmental and social impact assessment and audit was done for this
camp.
This camp system scored high on this assessment, and we continue to operate
a very low impact eco-camp.
We are located in a sensitive and important wetland environment that needs
protection.
We physically protect this environment from livestock overgrazing, poaching
and hunting.
We physically protect this important Lake Natron water source from pollution
and over use.
We have created a monetary value to this environment for the village.
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Camp Information
Communication - Please talk to the camp manager at the Boma (dinning) tent.
Swimming
- We encourage that you cool off and relax in the stream in front of your
tent.
Follow your private path to the stream. Please do not take any chemicals
near the stream.
Tread carefully in the water as the stream bed is rocky. There are small
fish (Tilapia) in the stream which provide food for many bird species.
You may take the camp chairs to the stream if you wish.
Water - bathing water is manually pumped directly out of the spring at this oasis. Although this water is clean it contains low levels of soda and is therefore not suitable to drink, but is absolutely safe for brushing teeth and bathing.
Please only drink
the bottled water at the wash basin, in your tent and the water served
at meals.
Bathrooms - your shower, basin and toilet are located in the back of your Bedu tent.
Shampoo & conditioner are supplied in the bottles in the shower tent. The water is stored in a tank above your sink.
Your toilet is
a composting toilet and does not flush. It is maintained by staff
daily and does not pollute the environment.
Please do not
dispose of anything that is not bio-degradable in the toilet.
Dispose in the rubbish/trash basket supplied.
Please do not put water in the toilets.
Clothing
- You should use a masai shuka or sarong to wrap around your shoulders
and when need be over your head. This will help you keep cool during the
day, it will help keep flying insects away from your skin and will shelter
you from strong winds. Wetting the shuka with water and laying it or rapping
it around your body will dramatically help in cooling you down. Wearing
light breathable clothes will make it more comfortable.
Rubber flip flops
are best for walking through water and on the soda lake flats. Soda will
damage leather shoes.
Masai Chuka's and flipflops are available for sale at the Boma.
Mosquitoes
- Lake Natron is generally a very windy area, however, when the wind is
low and in the sunset hours there are nats and occasionally mosquitoes.
Therefore, you will find a bottle of neem oil in your room. Please use
it as an overall bug repellent. Avoid using other repellents such as deet
for environmental reasons. Neem trees are indigenous trees in Tanzania
and are used for a wide range of cures and preventatives.
When flying insects become unbearable please get inside your tent for
a while.
Cautionary Note
- Please be aware that scorpions, spiders and snakes inhabit this environment.
Snakes are not commonly seen, and seldom poisonous. Scorpions are generaly
under rocks but will move around mostly at night. Spiders are more commonly
seen moving around the paths. Watch your step and stay clear of these
creatures. Always keep your tent zip closed.
Security
- For your safety please do not walk away from camp after dark unless
you are with a staff member. Please carry a torch with you at night and
be aware of your surroundings as we sometimes have lion prides and hyenas
passing through camp. This marsh is a good habitat for smaller creatures
such as the endemic red collared cobra, so tread carefully but there is
no need to be anxious.
Please do not leave valuables lying out in your tent. Tanzania is a developing
country and sometimes temptation can be overpowering. Lake Natron Camp
will not be responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.
Meals - All
meals are planned around your arrival and departure times. Otherwise dinner
is served at 7pm and lunch between 12 and 1pm. Breakfast may be taken
at anytime from 7-00am or earlier by arrangement for early departures.
There is no dress code at the camp.
Laundry -
Please leave any laundry in the large basket located in your Bedu tent.
One full day is required before your laundry will be returned to you as
we hand wash and air dry. Please ask management the rates for items.
Rubbish/Trash
- Please be very mindful not to drop any rubbish as it will be blown
away quickly. You are provided with a small rubbish/trash basket in your
tent as well as at the Boma tent. Staff will empty your basket daily and
the rubbish will be taken away from this environment and will be dealt
with responsibly.
Gratuities -
Tipping is at your discretion. The camp staff share tips so please give
all tips to the manager at your departure. Any amount of tip is appreciated.
Payment - Please be aware that we cannot accept credit cards or personal cheques. We accept cash or travellers cheques provided your address and signature are included.
On behalf of all the staff at Lake Natron Camp we wish you a happy stay and a good safari…