There is an opportunity to walk up to the Engero Sero Waterfalls. This walk winds up through a shady gorge (very welcome in the heat) between steep cliffs. There's a bit of gentle scrambling involved, and you'll get a bit wet crossing the river a few of times along the way. However, after a few hours you'll reach a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep rock walls – showered by cascades of spring-water and overlooked by palm trees. This hike is a great escape from the staggering heat and you will find the swim quite refreshing.
For the true adventurer, you will find the surroundings amazing and you will be truly off the beaten track. The desolation broken up by some Maasai dwellings scattered here and there. Preceded by some small extinct volcanoes, you will come by Kerimasi Crater and Ol Doinyo Lengai ("mountain of god" translated from the Maa language), an active volcano rising from the surroundings. On the far side of Lengai, you will arrive at Lake Natron. This highly saline lake supports many micro-organisms and a blue-green algae with red pigments which attracts a very large number of flamingos.
Located about 3 hours by vehicle from Mto wa Mbu (town nearest to Lake Manyara), this area is part of the famous Great Rift Valley of Africa. The area has the distinction of being incredibly dry and dusty. Surrounded by rolling hills and deep craters, the lake water is with a alkaline level close to that of ammonia.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is possible to climb although since this is an active volcano there are no guarantees that conditions may make this too dangerous at any time. A midnight start is normally involved as a way of avoiding the heat. It is possible to arrive at the summit by sunrise and return before the temperatures climb too high. The best times to visit are the relatively cooler months of June - August.
Lava Peaks Adventures is a local company owned by two Tanzanians with broad experience in the tourism industry and related fields. One of the owners, Ramson Swai is an established mountain ..
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