
Among the most prominent attractions of Lake Natron is the Gelai Volcano, a 2,942 m (9,652 feet) high volcano in the southeastern part, and the archeological site of Peninj, where archeologists discovered the Peninj Mandible – the fossilized teeth of Australopithecus boisei. The area around the lake offers different attractions such as many volcanic implosion craters, numerous waterfalls, and ravines with nesting places for Rüppell’s Griffon Vultures. The surface of Lake Natron, which has high salt, magnesite, and sodium carbonate concentration, is covered with a pinkish-white soda crust. The shallow and alkaline lake has different springs, the Ewaso Ng’iro River, and different hot springs. Lake Natron covers an area 56 km (35 miles) long and 24 km (15 miles) wide, but the water level changes due to evaporation.

The lake is in the vicinity of Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is visible in the southern part. We recommend it as a comfortable, albeit simple, base from which to explore Lake Natron.Lake Natron is situated in northern Tanzania on the border with Kenya, close to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The team bent over backwards to make sure that we enjoyed our stay. When we last visited in June 2008, we also felt that Lake Natron Camp had a great atmosphere. Its simplicity fits the harsh environment anything lavish might have felt gaudy or inappropriate, nestled in amongst the surrounding Maasai villages. The style is unique and there is a sense of adventure in the design itself. Though rather rudimentary, it is also quite fun.

Lake Natron Camp is certainly one of the most unusual camps we have ever stayed in. The camp also sits alongside a natural spring which feeds into a nearby soda lake − a swim in the cool water is also a great way to combat the heat. This allows the light and lovely breeze through, but softens the suns rays and heat dramatically. (Note that this camp is often simply called 'Lake Natron Camp' but should not be confused with the nearby Lake Natron Tented Camp.) It is a very open environment here, so each tent and the main mess tent are sheltered under a thick camouflage netting/mesh.
