Lake Natron’s waters are the only regular breeding ground in East Africa for 2.5 million lesser flamingos, which nest on mounds of salty mud from August to October, protected from predators by the lake’s toxic water. These flamingos have evolved to withstand the lake’s extremely high temperatures and salt content. Salt-loving phytoplankton flourishes here, giving the lake its red tinge and feeding the flamingos, which get their pink colour from the algae they consume. The best time to see these magnificent birds is at sunset when the day’s heat starts to die away.

Here you have incredible views of the lake, the Great Rift Valley and the dramatic rise of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, which towers in the distance. Guests can relax with a drink in the camp, stroll to the lake, go on hikes, or cool off in nearby waterfalls. A short drive on your way to the natural spring pool from camp is some well-preserved human footprints, estimated to be between 5,000 and 19,000 years old – a scarce find. No other site in Africa has so many ancient Homo sapiens footprints.