Lake Natron & Ngorongoro Safari and Cultural Visit to Mto wa Mbu Village

The group arrives at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Participants are met by a representative of Altezza Travel and transferred to a hotel in Arusha.

Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

This day will take place at Lake Natron, a very beautiful and remote place. Often featured in wildlife magazines, Natron is the only place in the world that has red-hued water. The color is attributed to a high content of special bacteria, which have a blood-red color. However, it can only be seen and photographed from a bird's-eye view. Lake Natron has very beautiful African landscapes and wild animals: ostriches, antelopes, zebras, giraffes also live here, but due to its remote nature, there are not many tourists. This is a great place to start or end your safari through Tanzania's northern parks.

It can be quite hot during the day. To freshen up, you can swim in the springs nearby. Water flows into them directly from the slopes of the Ngorongoro Reserve. It is very pure and well-saturated with sulfur. Some scientists believe it is beneficial for the development of bones in the body. We're not sure about that, but it's definitely not harmful.

Very beautiful birds live on Lake Natron including large and small flamingos, which can have numbers of tens of thousands at a time! The brilliant pink birds taking flight is a very beautiful sight. Flamingos are very fond of Lake Natron, because here they are guaranteed not to be disturbed by predators because of the water’s high alkaline level. Every year from September through to April, more than three-quarters of all Lesser Flamingos in the world are born on Lake Natron. Eggs are laid in the shallow mud of the waters, and new chicks hatch along the shore. Through binoculars, you can watch very small chicks that are just taking their first steps. They are still gray in color, but very soon their plumage will begin to turn pink.

In addition to flamingos, pelicans and other birds are found in the vicinity of Lake Natron. In the wild, they behave completely differently from the zoo - the birds are very active and playful.

After a scenic 4-hour drive from Lake Natron, you’ll arrive in the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu — a lively stop nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. First, you’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch prepared by a welcoming host family. Served outdoors in a tidy, shaded spot, the meal includes Swahili favorites like vegetable stews, ugali, rice, sautéed greens, okra, and chapati flatbreads. The menu varies depending on seasonal ingredients, and dietary needs can be accommodated — just let your travel manager know in advance!

Once you’ve recharged, it’s time to explore. Mto wa Mbu is home to around 18,000 people and more than 120 tribes — a true cultural mosaic. You’ll visit traditional homes, browse the bustling market, and get a peek into daily life: from farming and cooking to woodcarving and painting. At the banana plantation, your guide will introduce you to the many uses of this versatile plant — from food to building materials. Local artists and craftsmen will share their techniques and the stories behind their work.

To wrap up your visit, don’t miss the chance to try mbege — a traditional banana and millet beer, brewed right here in the village. It’s the perfect finish to a rich and flavorful cultural encounter.

Today you are going to the Legendary Ngorongoro Crater! Your day will begin early in the morning, when your guide arrives to drive you to the Ngorongoro Crater, part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Crater is somewhat reminiscent of The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: here you will witness tens of thousands of wild animals living in the massive crater left by a huge ancient volcano. The actual crater is relatively small, when you consider that it is home to the most variety of animals per square meter than anywhere else in the world! Here, you are sure to see a great number of animals within close proximity to one another.

The descent into the crater will take about half an hour of driving. The road passes through beautiful, lush forests with great scenery. Your safari guide will make a stop to see the ‘look out’ which is a place offering  a stunning panoramic view of the entire crater. Contrary to popular myth, animals can go outside the caldera. However, most of them are safe and comfortable inside the caldera which provides an unlimited supply of fresh grass for grazers and easy prey for predators. Therefore, they prefer to remain in the crater t all the time. 

Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, cheetahs, zebras and other African animals can be seen in Ngorongoro Crater. This is one of the few places in Africa where rhinos are found, although, remember that they are an endangered species, so there are very few of them. One animal that is absent are giraffes; you will not spot any of them in the crater because, due to the build of their bodies, including legs and long necks, they cannot walk down into the crater. 

After your morning game drive around the crater, you will stop at the picnic area next to Lake Magadi for a snack and rest. This place is popular with various birds, including kites, who sometimes try to steal food right from the table! While not dangerous, at all, it is a good idea not to leave any food unattended. One of the draws of Lake Magadi are the hippos that live in the area. You’re sure to enjoy watching them while you eat lunch. These huge animals stay close to the shore and often surface to get air. If you do see one walking out of the water, give it plenty of space. Due to the large number of animals and endemic plants, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned for its natural significance in the world. 

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out before your evening flight, you have the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee. Let your manager know in advance if you need a late check-out.