Ngaresero Waterfall at Lake Natron -

The Ngare Sero waterfall trek in the Great Rift Valley is a highly popular attraction among visitors. Everyone who participates finds great enjoyment in it. Although it is a relatively brief hike, it offers a significant reward: the opportunity to swim in the pool beneath the cascade at a truly enchanting oasis.

Adjacent to Lake Natron lies the Ngare Sero Gorge. This 600-meter-deep fissure in the Great Rift Valley features a scenic waterfall accessible by a trek along the river. The cascade is situated within a picturesque, modest oasis that is favored by hikers for swimming.

A breathtaking hike

The initial hundred meters of the Ngare Sero waterfall trek appear relatively unimpressive. However, once you proceed into the gorge itself, you promptly recognize that you are about to experience a truly remarkable spectacle.

The trek guides you along the floor of the gorge. Primarily, you traverse the boulders along the Saitoti River, although you frequently cross the river at various points. And occasionally, you may proceed directly along the riverbed.

What to look out during the hiking of Ngare Sero waterfall

Please feel free to ask your guide inquiries if you wish to learn the names of the plants observed during the hike.

Identify desert roses at an early stage (prior to the walls of the gorge becoming excessively precipitous).

Desert roses blossom during the dry season (May to October), and their vibrant deep pink flowers are truly exquisite. However, the bulbs of the plant are toxic. Interestingly, the Maasai, when they were hunters, utilized the juice of the bulbs to coat their projectiles.

The Ngare Sero water fall

The most notable aspect of the trek is undoubtedly arriving at the Ngare Sero waterfall and enjoying an extended period there.

Nowhere else within this savanna region is such verdant foliage encountered. The palm trees present a striking contrast. This locale truly constitutes a sanctuary.

Depending on the timing of your visit, you may find yourself with exclusive access to the entire pool—indeed, the entire gorge—entirely to yourself. This is a highly remote area, and not all visitors to Lake Natron undertake the hike.

Ngare Sero swimming pool

Standing beneath the waterfall, you find that its force is unexpectedly formidable. Extremely potent, indeed. It is comparable to being subjected to a vigorous massage from the most powerful massage pistol. Consequently, it is not advisable to remain beneath it for an extended period. However, it is an extraordinary experience!

The Ngare Sero Waterfall is not truly a component of the Saitoti River within the canyon. Instead, it descends into Saitoti from the lateral side.

It is possible to proceed several meters upstream from the waterfall (to the left in the image above). There, you will find a tiny yet broader and more formidable waterfall. This cascade obstructs further progress upstream along the river.

The hiking time of Ngare Sero

The walk from the trailhead to the cascade requires approximately 25 to 45 minutes each way, depending on your speed.

Is hiking Ngare Sero hard?

The hike is not particularly challenging. You only ascend approximately 300 meters.

The primary issue is that your feet remain damp frequently, since you are required to traverse the riverbed at multiple locations, which can be treacherous in certain areas. At times, the volcanic ash beneath your feet may yield, causing you to descend approximately a foot lower than anticipated until you reach solid rock.

How to get to Ngare Sero

The Ngare Sero gorge lies in close proximity to the southern extremity of Lake Natron. The map below displays the lake adjacent to the Kenyan border.

A map showing lake Natron and Nearby places

For a more extended hike than the gorge alone provides, consider trekking from your campground to the gorge’s entrance and returning thereafter. One might observe animals such as zebras and giraffes during such a trek. This location is excellent for birdwatching as well. Search for egrets, bee-eaters, lapwings, vultures, and eagles, among other others.

Coming from Arusha

The majority of individuals travel to Lake Natron from the south, specifically Arusha. The trek is lengthy and arduous, requiring approximately 6 to 7 hours for safe navigation. Traveling in a robust four-wheel-drive vehicle is necessary to navigate some portions, particularly as one approaches Lake Natron.

Plans are underway to construct a paved road that will facilitate access to the Lake Natron region; nonetheless, it currently remains difficult to reach.

The journey is intriguing, nonetheless. You traverse numerous rural Maasai communities and several modest agricultural plots. You will encounter numerous Maasai traversing considerable distances on foot. The Maasai are renowned for their stamina, routinely traversing extensive distances that would likely overwhelm most Westerners at the mere contemplation.

The area features exquisite vegetation, including several acacias, euphorbia forests, milkweeds, sisals, and ficuses along the streams. All the rocks in the region are black due to the volcanic nature of the country.

Approaching Lake Natron, you will pass directly past Mt Ol Doinyo Lengai, known as the ‘Mountain of the Gods’. It is an active volcano that can be hiked during an overnight adventure. Remain vigilant for antelopes and other fauna upon arriving at the slopes of Ol Doinyo.

Visiting Ngare sero waterfalls from Serengeti

One can also proceed to Lake Natron from the western region of Serengeti National Park in the north. This situation applies solely during the dry season; the route becomes unusable for a significant portion of the rainy season.

Accommodation around Lake Natron

To climb to Ngare Sero waterfall, an overnight stay in the Lake Natron region is necessary. Due to the lake’s seclusion, it is advisable to allocate a minimum of two nights for your stay. However, rest assured that upon your arrival, you will be immensely grateful that you are not departing the following day!

There’s a handful of really lovely accommodation options in the area ranging from budget to luxury and these include:

you can book with us a safari to lake Natron for a dream adventure. you can opt to visit the waterfalls, the Ol Doinyo Lengai, mountain or combining your safari adventure with Serengeti