Engerasero Waterfalls, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and Lake Natron

Since I first heard it was possible to climb an active volcano in northern Tanzania (Ol Doinyo Lengai's last major eruption was in 2008), I wanted to do it. I mean, who wouldn't? After finding two equally machizi (crazy) Belgians to join me and bargaining with the tour operator to bring the price down from astronomical to just expensive, we set off for Engerasero Waterfalls, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and Lake Natron.

The drive was a bit torturous. Four hours of high-speed, off-road driving through the bush. The views were very nice though. Ngorongoro Conservation Area rising from the flatland off to the west.

Zebras and giraffes gracing us with their presence every so often.

The remnants of past volcanic eruptions and lava flows through the valley.

We arrived at the campsite in the Masai village of Engerasero in mid afternoon. The first activity was a short walk to Engerasero Waterfalls. Just a half hour of following the river; crossing back and forth and sometimes wading through waist-deep water (I didn't know the walk would require this, hence our Masai guide Samuel lending me his sandals so my hiking boots would be dry for the volcano).

And then this...

The water wasn't too cold so we went swimming in the pool below. Then explored further by scampering up the rocks to go underneath the falls and then back in the crevice behind. It was too dangerous to take my camera, but this was by far the best part. High cliffs on either side, water dripping down on our heads, and a narrow passageway to another smaller, but more powerful, waterfall just a couple hundred feet further. We played in the water for a while, then instead of walking back I floated and let the current push me back downstream, under the trickling water, and down a natural rock slide to the original pool. So much fun!

We headed back to camp and then relaxed and enjoyed the views of Lake Natron, the bush, and Ol Doinyo Lengai before the sunset.

An early dinner and then only 3 hours rest before an 11pm wake up. I had an energy-filled snack. Then it was time to attempt to summit the volcano.

Here's where I tell the story of Andi vs. The Volcano. Because it is a long tale, I have given it its own post.

Following the climb, I returned to camp for a short 30 minute rest. Then we set off in the jeep for Lake Natron. A short drive to the edge of the lake to view the flamingos. Lake Natron is the breeding grounds for most all the flamingos in eastern Africa. Because the lake is alkaline, it has a particular algae that the flamingos can feed on. There were hundreds of thousands of flamingos. As far across the lake as we could see, they were present.

We spent a half hour with them; mainly observing but occasionally running after them to try to get some photos of them in flight.

It was a nice end to the two-day trip. We made the return drive back to Arusha and parted with the Jackpot Safaris crew; Ben the driver/guide and Jackson the cook. It was an adventure I won't soon forget.

Click here to see more photos of Engerasero Waterfalls, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and Lake Natron.