Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

Lake Natron Game Controlled Area is a protected area in Tanzania.

Lake Natron Game Controlled Area at a Glance

Location
Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, Tanzania, East Africa
Coordinates
-2.566368, 36.296930
Crowds
Very Quiet
Malaria Risk
High
Best Time to Visit
June to October (dry season) for best game viewing. January to March for wildebeest calving in the Serengeti.

Getting to Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

Nearest airport: Mtera Airport, 505 km away.

Big Five in Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

3 of the Big Five can be found here: Leopard, African Buffalo, Leopard Tortoise.

Weather & Climate in Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

The warmest temperatures in Lake Natron Game Controlled Area occur in October, averaging 25.8°C (up to 32.5°C). The coolest conditions are in July at 22.2°C.

The driest weather conditions are typically in August with average rainfall of 0.3mm. Average humidity: 46.6%.

Monthly Temperatures

  • January: 24.2°C (rainfall: 87.5mm)
  • February: 24.7°C (rainfall: 66.8mm)
  • March: 25.2°C (rainfall: 83.1mm)
  • April: 23.5°C (rainfall: 93.5mm)
  • May: 23.5°C (rainfall: 20.1mm)
  • June: 22.8°C (rainfall: 1.5mm)
  • July: 22.2°C (rainfall: 4.9mm)
  • August: 23.2°C (rainfall: 0.3mm)
  • September: 24.5°C (rainfall: 0.9mm)
  • October: 25.8°C (rainfall: 9.7mm)
  • November: 24.1°C (rainfall: 98.9mm)
  • December: 23.8°C (rainfall: 75.1mm)

Best Time to Visit Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

The best months to visit Lake Natron Game Controlled Area are June, July, August, based on temperature, rainfall, weather conditions, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Month-by-Month Safari Conditions

  • January: Great, temperature 24.16°C, rainfall 87.5mm, sunshine 10.9 hrs, humidity 58.9%
  • February: Great, temperature 24.72°C, rainfall 66.8mm, sunshine 10.9 hrs, humidity 56.3%
  • March: Great, temperature 25.21°C, rainfall 83.1mm, sunshine 11 hrs, humidity 54.4%
  • April: Great, temperature 23.47°C, rainfall 93.5mm, sunshine 10.6 hrs, humidity 67.1%
  • May: Great, temperature 23.48°C, rainfall 20.1mm, sunshine 10.4 hrs, humidity 58.6%
  • June: Great, temperature 22.78°C, rainfall 1.5mm, sunshine 10.7 hrs, humidity 50.9%
  • July: Great, temperature 22.21°C, rainfall 4.9mm, sunshine 10.6 hrs, humidity 49.7%
  • August: Great, temperature 23.24°C, rainfall 0.3mm, sunshine 10.7 hrs, humidity 46.6%
  • September: Great, temperature 24.54°C, rainfall 0.9mm, sunshine 11 hrs, humidity 45.8%
  • October: Great, temperature 25.84°C, rainfall 9.7mm, sunshine 11.4 hrs, humidity 43.9%
  • November: Great, temperature 24.08°C, rainfall 98.9mm, sunshine 10.9 hrs, humidity 60%
  • December: Great, temperature 23.8°C, rainfall 75.1mm, sunshine 11.2 hrs, humidity 61.6%

Wildlife in Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

Home to 29 recorded species including 6 birds of prey, 5 big herbivores, 3 iconic birds, 3 waterbirds, 3 antelope & gazelle, 3 big five.

Recommended Packing List for Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

Based on average temperature of 24.0°C, typical conditions, humidity 54%.

  • Light layers - comfortable for 24°C weather
  • Binoculars - essential for every game drive
  • Sun hat & sunscreen - protection from the African sun
  • Sturdy walking shoes - for bush walks and uneven terrain
  • Neutral-coloured clothing - khaki, olive, and tan blend with the bush
  • Insect repellent - essential in most safari regions
  • First aid kit - basic medical supplies for remote areas
  • Torch / headlamp - useful for evenings at camp
  • Camera with telephoto lens - capture your safari memories

Notable Species

Safari Lodges in Lake Natron Game Controlled Area

1 safari lodges available.

Other

Similar Parks in Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Health & Travel Info

Health & vaccination info for Tanzania

Travel advisory for Tanzania

Lake Natron Game Controlled Area FAQs

What kind of unique safari experience does Lake Natron Game Controlled Area offer compared to more popular Tanzanian parks?

Lake Natron provides an exceptionally remote and uncrowded safari, ideal for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. As a Game Controlled Area, it often allows for activities like walking safaris and cultural interactions with the Maasai, which are restricted in National Parks. This offers a more immersive and intimate connection with the wilderness and local communities.

What specific wildlife can I expect to see around Lake Natron, beyond the Great Migration?

Lake Natron is world-renowned for its vast population of Lesser Flamingos, which breed exclusively on the lake's salt flats, creating a spectacular pink spectacle. While large game viewing is less common than in national parks, you might spot zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and various bird species, especially around the lake's periphery and nearby plains. The area is also home to unique species adapted to its harsh environment.

How does the recommended best time to visit Lake Natron align with a broader Northern Circuit safari, particularly regarding the Great Migration?

While June to October is ideal for general game viewing and drier conditions around Lake Natron, visiting between January and March can be strategically combined with witnessing the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti. Lake Natron is often included as a unique extension to a Northern Circuit itinerary, offering a different landscape and experience after the traditional game parks. This allows for diverse wildlife and cultural encounters.

What activities are available at Lake Natron Game Controlled Area besides traditional game drives?

Beyond limited game viewing, Lake Natron offers unique activities like guided walks to the lake shore to see the flamingos and explore the unique geology. Adventurous travelers can undertake a challenging overnight hike up Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania's only active volcano and a sacred mountain to the Maasai. Cultural visits to local Maasai bomas also provide an authentic insight into their way of life.

What are the typical accommodation options and logistical considerations for visiting the remote Lake Natron Game Controlled Area?

Due to its remote nature and low crowding, accommodation around Lake Natron primarily consists of eco-camps and basic tented camps, offering an authentic wilderness experience rather than luxury lodges. Access usually involves a long, rugged drive from Arusha or the Serengeti, often requiring a 4x4 vehicle. Given the high malaria risk and limited facilities, it's crucial to consult your doctor for prophylaxis and carry adequate personal medical supplies.

Recommended Books

  • Stuarts' Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa by Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Park-by-park guide with maps, species lists, and practical information. Perfect for planning which parks to visit and what to expect.
  • The Handbook of Bird Photography by Markus Varesvuo, Jari Peltomäki & Bence Máté - Excellent for birding photographers on safari - covers technique, equipment, fieldcraft, and post-processing with stunning example images.
  • Bradt Guide: Northern Tanzania by Philip Briggs - The best single-country safari guide - covers Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara in extraordinary detail with expert local knowledge.
  • Birds of East Africa by Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe - Covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi - 1,388 species illustrated with range maps. The essential birding companion for East African safaris.
  • Photographing Wildlife in Africa by Paolo Torchio - Practical guide specifically for African safari photography - camera settings, lens choices, composition techniques, and how to make the most of game drives.
  • Lonely Planet East Africa by Lonely Planet - Comprehensive travel guide covering Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond. Practical information on visas, transport, accommodation, and detailed park guides.
  • Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris by Fodor's Travel - Country-by-country planning guide with lodge reviews, practical logistics, packing lists, and insider tips. Often cited as the best all-in-one safari planning resource.
  • Lonely Planet Tanzania by Lonely Planet - Comprehensive guide covering Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and beyond. Practical transport, accommodation, and itinerary advice for independent and guided safari travellers.
  • National Geographic Kids: Safari by National Geographic - Age-appropriate wildlife facts with stunning photographs. Great for getting children excited about the animals they'll see on safari.
  • The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock & Colin Bell - Conservation-focused book combining beautiful photography with urgent storytelling about the threats facing Africa's elephant populations.
  • Here Is the African Savanna by Madeleine Dunphy - Beautifully illustrated picture book about the savanna ecosystem. Teaches children about the interconnected web of life on an African plain.
  • Safari: A Photographic Journey by Art Wolfe - Large-format coffee-table book from one of the world's most celebrated nature photographers. Stunning images from across the African continent.
  • The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals by Jonathan Kingdon - The definitive mammal field guide for Africa covering over 1,150 species with detailed illustrations. Considered the gold standard for safari-goers and researchers alike.
  • The Behavior Guide to African Mammals by Richard Despard Estes - Goes beyond identification to explain why animals behave as they do. Essential reading for safari-goers who want to understand the wildlife they observe.
  • A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa by Stephen Spawls, Kim Howell, Harald Hinkel & Michele Menegon - Comprehensive coverage of snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians found across East Africa. A niche but appreciated guide for the thorough naturalist.
  • Remembering Lions by Various Photographers - Part of the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife conservation book series. Features contributions from world-class wildlife photographers, with proceeds supporting lion conservation.
  • African Animals ABC by Stella Blackstone & Petr Horacek - Simple alphabet book with bold, colourful animal illustrations. Perfect for toddlers and young children preparing for their first safari. Ages 2–5.
  • Beat About the Bush: Mammals by Trevor Carnaby - The single best book for understanding animal behaviour on safari. Explains why animals do what they do - feeding, mating, territory, predator-prey dynamics. Makes every game drive infinitely more rewarding.
  • Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guide) by Martin B. Withers & David Hosking - Compact pocket guide covering mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. 500+ colour photographs. The best quick-reference guide to carry on game drives.
  • Africa's Top Wildlife Countries by Mark W. Nolting - The most respected safari planning book in print. Detailed country-by-country guide covering parks, lodges, best times to visit, and what wildlife to expect. Updated regularly. The first book every safari planner should read.
  • The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals by Richard D. Estes - Part field guide, part planning tool. Explains mammal behaviour in a way that transforms game drives. Covers tracks, signs, social structures, and habitat preferences. A must-pack for serious safari-goers.
  • The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski - Widely considered the greatest book ever written about Africa. Kapuscinski spent 40 years reporting from across the continent. Vivid, poetic, and deeply insightful. Essential pre-safari reading for understanding the continent.
  • Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke - The extraordinary true story of James Howard Williams and the elephants who helped him build bridges, extract teak, and ultimately rescue refugees across the Burmese jungle during WWII. Gripping and moving.
  • When the Last Lion Roars by Sara Evans - An urgent, accessible account of the African lion's decline from 200,000 to under 20,000 in a century. Covers the science, politics, and human stories behind lion conservation. Eye-opening pre-safari reading.
  • Ivory, Horn and Blood by Ronald Orenstein - The definitive book on the poaching crisis devastating African elephants and rhinos. Covers the criminal networks, the rangers fighting back, and what travellers can do. Important context for any safari visitor.
  • Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams & Mark Carwardine - Witty and heartbreaking tour of endangered species by the Hitchhiker's Guide author. Combines humour with urgent conservation messaging.
  • Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff & Paula Kahumbu - True story of an orphaned hippo befriending a 130-year-old tortoise in Kenya. A heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship that teaches empathy.
  • Remembering Elephants by Various Photographers - Stunning coffee-table book from the Remembering Wildlife series. All proceeds go to elephant conservation - beautiful photography with a purpose.
  • Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allison - Hilarious memoir from a Botswana safari guide - true stories from the bush that will have you laughing out loud. A favourite among safari enthusiasts.
  • Poached by Rachel Love Nuwer - Gripping investigation into the illegal wildlife trade - from African poaching networks to Asian markets. Essential reading for understanding the threats to safari wildlife.
  • Safari Nation by Jacob S. T. Dlamini - Fascinating history of South Africa's national parks and their complex colonial legacy. Academic but accessible - changes how you think about safari tourism.
  • Safari: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen & Carol Kaufmann - Mesmerising book with moving photographic images of African animals. Kids and adults love the magical moving pictures - perfect pre-trip gift.