New Engaresero Airstrip Boosts Access to Lake Lake Natron

Tanzania’s Wildlife Management Authority has completed the construction of the Engaresero Airstrip in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region, in a move aimed at improving tourism access to Lake Natron, one of the world’s most important breeding sites for lesser flamingos.

The new airstrip features a 1.2-kilometre runway with a width of 23 metres. Construction was completed in June 2026, and the facility has since received certification from the Tanzania Airports Authority after meeting the required aviation safety standards.

The development is expected to significantly improve connectivity to one of northern Tanzania’s more remote natural attractions, making Lake Natron more accessible to domestic and international visitors travelling through the wider Arusha and Ngorongoro tourism circuit.

Lake Natron is internationally recognised for its ecological importance, particularly as a critical breeding ground for lesser flamingos. Improved air access is expected to support tourism development in the area while opening up new opportunities for visitors seeking to explore Tanzania’s lesser-known natural destinations.

The completion of the Engaresero Airstrip also reflects continued investment in aviation infrastructure across Tanzania’s northern safari corridor, where improved connectivity is increasingly viewed as an important driver of tourism growth and diversification beyond the country’s established gateway destinations