How to get to Lake Natron
Most visitors reach Lake Natron from Arusha by road. The drive via Mto wa Mbu takes 5–6 hours, and the route via Longido takes about 5 hours. Both are rough, and rain makes them longer. Treat the times as guides, not promises of an arrival time.
That makes the trip a poor fit for a single day out of Arusha: you would spend most of the day in the car. Plan at least one night at the lake. If you are building a trip, start with the Lake Natron tours and safaris and see which ones include transport.
Our pick: a safari with pickup in Arusha
Seven days with pickup in Arusha and a drop-off at the airport or your hotel, so you do not have to arrange the long road yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Natron tours from Arusha
Safaris and multi-day trips to the lake, some with transport from Arusha, with live prices and availability.
Routes compared
Three ways to reach the lake.
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road via Mto wa Mbu | 5–6 hours | Rough road, longer in rain |
| Road via Longido | About 5 hours | Rough road, longer in rain |
| Air to the Ngare Sero airstrip | Flight time depends on the departure point | About 15 minutes by transfer to a camp, check the timetable |
For most visitors, the road with a driver arranged through your camp or tour is the simplest option, and the airstrip is worth a look if you are short on time. Ask whether the vehicle is suited to a rough road. Whether a 4x4 is needed depends on the conditions, so ask your camp.
By road via Mto wa Mbu
The route runs from Arusha west to Mto wa Mbu and on towards Engaruka and the lake. Mto wa Mbu has a market and is a common place to break the drive. See Mto wa Mbu for the town itself.
Parts of the roads in this region have been built or improved in recent years, but do not expect a paved road all the way to the lake. Allow extra time in the rainy months, and travel in daylight. The rain calendar is on our page about Lake Natron weather.
By air to the Ngare Sero airstrip
New in 2026: scheduled flights are announced.
An airstrip at Ngare Sero is used for arrivals, and the transfer to a camp takes about 15 minutes. Construction of a new airstrip at Engaresero began in May 2025 and was due to finish in June 2026, followed by a review by the Tanzania Airports Authority. In August 2026 an airline announced daily scheduled flights to Lake Natron, with connections to Arusha, the Serengeti, Manyara, Tarangire, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Entebbe. Not all of those are direct flights.
Check the current timetable and fare before you plan around a flight, and ask your camp whether it collects arrivals at the airstrip. Ask about baggage limits when you book.
Lake Natron to Serengeti
Lake Natron is not in the Serengeti. The Serengeti is a continuation of your trip, not part of the lake visit. People who drive on usually take a route through the Loliondo area towards Klein's Gate. This route avoids the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Do not treat it as a fee-free shortcut, and do not assume the way is currently open without asking. Check the route and the gates with your camp or operator before you set out. For the Serengeti end, see getting to the Serengeti.
Entry and paperwork for 2026
Short and practical.
Visa
The ordinary eVisa is $50 for a stay of up to 90 days, and a multiple-entry visa is $100. The category depends on your nationality, so check before you apply.
Travel insurance
Since October 2026, travel insurance is mandatory for entry: $44, for up to 92 days. The NIC applies to entry on the mainland and the ZIC to Zanzibar. If you visit both, one policy is enough. Residents of certain countries and holders of a Tanzanian residence permit are exempt, so check your own status.
Yellow fever
A certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission. A direct trip from a country without that risk does not require one. Check the rules for any transit stop.
Travel advice
Check your government's current travel advice for Tanzania before you go.
Plan the rest of your trip
What to look at next.
Lake Natron camping and lodges
Where to sleep near Ngare Sero.
Lake Natron fees
Charges, guides and how to pay.
Ol Doinyo Lengai
The Maasai Mountain of God.
Most flights and transfers start in Arusha. For the city and its airports, see Arusha and the airport.
Getting to Lake Natron: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Arusha to Lake Natron?
5–6 hours via Mto wa Mbu and about 5 hours via Longido, each way. The road is rough and takes longer in rain.
Can I do Lake Natron as a day trip from Arusha?
It is possible on paper, but you would spend roughly 10 to 12 hours in the car. Plan at least one night at the lake.
Can I fly to Lake Natron?
An airstrip at Ngare Sero is used for arrivals, and daily scheduled flights were announced in August 2026. Check the current timetable and the baggage limits before you plan around it.
Can I drive from Lake Natron to the Serengeti?
People do, usually through the Loliondo area towards Klein's Gate. Check the route and the gate rules with your camp or operator, and do not assume it avoids all charges.
Do I need a 4x4?
The road is rough, so ask your camp or operator which vehicle suits the conditions on your dates.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide to Lake Natron. It does not run transport or take bookings for it.