Father's Day Camping - Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Longai

For Father's Day weekend we decided to head to northern Tanzania to Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Longai area. It was our family, the Banks family and Paul and Fini (of 'pet' zebra fame). Lake Natron is a highly alkaline lake ('they' say it can be as harsh as ammonia when the water level is low) and it's the only breeding ground for the lesser flamingo. Ol Doinyo Longai is a volcano that has erupted as recently as 2008. Both were gorgeous.

Since it's been so cold in Arusha, I had the kids pack lots of fleece and warm pj's, etc, but it turns out that this area is hot and dry still. I can't remember camping (sleeping) in weather this warm since my NY days. We all slept in t-shirts on top of our bags. The drive was long - Matt estimated 4 hours before we left, so I translated from Africa/Matt time into an estimated reality time and came up with 7 hours. Matt says that he wins since it was only 6 hrs and 15 min. It was father's day, so I guess his rules prevail. Sort of like The Price is Right since I overbid. It was a gorgeous drive, but it was very windy, dry, and dusty the entire way. A big change from our cool weather here.

We found a campsite that was near the hike in to the waterfall. The first night was very crowded and noisy at all hours from the hikers that left in the middle of the night to hike Ol Doinyo Longai. The 2nd night (Sunday) was much quieter and almost empty. It was very nice to be near the river, so the kids could play and we could all cool off. The kids all made bow and arrows, we did a great hike (and swim!) in the waterfall, we saw the flamingos of Lake Natron and had sundowners overlooking the lake and Ol Doinyo Longai. The kids found old flamingo eggs buried in the mud and Anderson managed to fall/slide into a big puddle and get covered in filthy, sticky mud. We did have a couple of tire punctures along the way (David on the way out and Paul on the way back and then David woke up to another flat this morning).

Ashy wants to tell all the animals we saw: baboons, zebra, giraffe, kori bustard (large bird), wildebeest, gazelle, cows, sheep, and flamingos. (There were also a ton of other cool birds which are very noisy starting at about 6 am).

Random bus that we passed that I actually managed to get a pic of.

First flat with maasai woman and baby watching

Almost to our campsite (I really wish I got a pic of the 'bathroom' there)

Start of waterfall hike. At the beginning we were still trying to not get too wet.

Then we realized that we were going to get very wet.
(we never would have done a hike like this in the US with the kids)

Birch and Tierney were often in the lead with our maasai guide. T even gave up on staying dry after while and let her fancy father's day skirt get all wet.

Ashy being helped into the water where it was a bit slippery

We made it! There is a whole canyon of waterfalls beyond that turn, but the camera didn't make it that far.

Swimming and playing under and around waterfall

Much needed father's day nap after the hike

Bow and arrow practice

Anderson playing in the 'sprinkler'

Awwwww.

Another beautiful sundowner spot.

with views of Lake Natron

"Beer is so yummy for me"

We had to kick out the baboons to get this view of Ol Doinyo Longai

Whose idea was it to let the kids ride on the roof rack on the way home?

(Fini in case you were really wondering)

They were giggling the whole way.

Where are the kids?

"Up there"

Flamingos of Lake Natron

Ol Doinyo Longai (ash at the top, not snow)

T, me and Anders (showing off his flamingo egg)

T and Ol Doinyo Longai

Cole, Tierney and Ash

Gorgeous view of Lake NatronOur guide

Sunset view

The camping gang (minus Anderson who was very mad at me because I wouldn't let him play with the maasai arrow tipped arrows...our campmade ones were really just sticks)

Maasai bomas with Ol Doinyo Longai....

this is just after the rainy season - they probably won't see rain again for 5 more months

A very harsh life.

Happy Father's Day!!!