Mountain Trekking 
Lake Natron Route
The standard night ascent from the northern foot of the volcano, a drive from the camps at Lake Natron.
Days1
Distance9 km
DifficultyStrenuous
SleepingCamping
CrowdsQuiet
About the route
The climb starts from the trailhead at the north-western foot of the volcano, about an hour's drive from the lodges and camps around Engare Sero at Lake Natron. The path climbs the northern flank directly, steepening as it goes, across hardened ash and loose scree.
You reach the northern crater rim around sunrise, with views into the steaming crater and across the Rift Valley to Lake Natron. The descent takes three to four hours on the same trail, and you are back at your camp for a late breakfast and a rest.
Highlights
- Sunrise from the crater rim
- Views across the Rift Valley and Lake Natron
- A walk on the only carbonatite volcano on Earth
Map
Map of the Lake Natron Route
Press a camp on the map or in the list below to see its altitude.
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Trail lines and camps: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Altitudes from park signposts where available.
Day by day
The Lake Natron Route in 1 days
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Day1
Night ascent to the crater rim and descent
You leave camp around 11 pm for the drive to the trailhead and start walking around midnight. The climb takes five to six hours up the steep northern slope to the crater rim for sunrise. After time at the rim you descend the same way in three to four hours.
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