Lake Natron
Lake Natron: Tanzania’s Natural Wonder That Is Deadly to Most Life but Loved By the Flamingos
Found in a dry Northern part of Tanzania, Lake Natron is a hypersaline and highly alkaline lake located in the eastern section of the volatile East African Rift. The shallow but wide alkaline lake is just three meters deep but 22km wide and it’s fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya. A small portion of the lake; its northern tip lies over the border in southern Kenya. Lake Natron is like no other lake you have ever seen or imagined because the Lake sometimes turns red. Lake Natron is poisonous to most animals due to the high alkaline levels the reason why a lot of animals and bird corpses are found in and around the lake.
The extreme sodium bicarbonate content preserves animals perfectly through calcification leaving behind statue like figures that wash up on the shore the major reason Lake Natron is referred to as Tanzania’s beautiful but deadly red lake. Lake Natron featured in the opening episode of ‘A Perfect Planet’, a BBC series which was narrated by David Attenborough. Matt Aeberhard a camera operator during the filming of the episode explained that ‘the pH level of Lake Natron is not far short of household bleach’. Aeberhard also noted that ‘until recently, more people had landed on the moon than had actually stood out in Lake Natron’.
How to get to Lake Natron?
You can get to Lake Natron by road; From Arusha City, it will take approximately three hours to reach Lake Natron. You may also visit Lake Natron on your way back from Serengeti or Ngorongoro.
Please Note that the road journey from the Serengeti is long, so you should break up the journey by spending a night at Kleins Gate an exit point on the edge of Serengeti National Park and then the following morning you can complete an 8-hour drive to Engaresero. Your accommodation in Engaresero will be your base for your adventures at Lake Natron.
Activities to do at Lake Natron
Birdwatching: Naturally, Lake Natron is a hotspot for birdwatchers. The Lake is the only regular breeding area in East Africa for 2.5 million lesser flamingos. Their dependence on the location led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to give the flamingos a status of ‘near threatened’.
Hiking: For adventurers who like to challenge themselves, you can climb Ol Doinyo Lengai with the help of an experienced guide. Ol Doinyo Lengai means ‘Mountain of God’ in the Maasai language. The climb is very steep and we recommend that you have experience in mountaineering. The climb is usually completed during the night to avoid the scorching temperatures of the daytime. Climbing at night also allows you to watch the spectacular sunrise from the summit.
Other activities
- Visit to the stunning waterfalls around the lake
- Visit to the Maasai villages and their ‘boma’ (homesteads).
Wildlife at Lake Natron
Although the lake is deadly to most animals, a unique ecosystem has developed in this harsh environment creating fascinating opportunities for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. Salt marshes and freshwater wetlands have formed, creating a habitat for the long-legged waterfowl. The lake also contains two endemic fish species: Alcolapia latilabris and Alcolapia ndalalani. You can also find Alcolapia alcalica at Lake Natron but the species is not endemic.
Lesser flamingos are Lake Natron’s most famous attraction. 75% of the world’s population of lesser flamingos were born at this lake. They amass at the lake between August and October to lay their eggs and the eggs hatch during the wet season in November.
When is the best time to visit Lake Natron?
The best time to visit Lake Natron is during the dry season from late May to early November since these months are slightly cooler. The area is too hot during the short dry season from December to February.
Best Time to see Flamingos: In August, the flamingos start to gather at the lake and continue to amass until October. Visiting during these months gives you a chance of seeing this spectacular gathering. During the dry season, there is a higher level of evaporation and this increases the salinity of the lake. The increase in the salinity of the lake causes cyanobacteria to multiply at a faster rate and this gives the lake a richer shade of pink. The cyanobacteria provide food for the flamingos.
Best Time for Hiking: The dry season also provides better conditions for hikes in the surrounding area since paths can be treacherous during the wet season.
Where to stay at Lake Natron?
Other than the exciting opportunity to stay at a Maasai Boma, there are limited accommodation options around Lake Natron. Two options include the Lake Natron Camp and the Africa Safari Lake Natron:
The Lake Natron Camp– a basic but comfortable option. The tents are spacious, and they have their own porch area where you can watch the sunset. As there are only 10 tents, you are guaranteed a quiet and secluded stay. They also have a natural swimming pool where you can cool off at the end of the day.
The Africa Safari Lake Natron- a luxury lodge which is located on the border of the national park. It offers a variety of comfortable rooms at varying prices and it has its own pool and a bar area where you can enjoy your favourite evening tipple.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Lake Natron
Is it safe to swim in Lake Natron for humans?
No, humans cannot swim in Lake Natron as the high salt content would sting and burn on the skin and the water is extremely hot.
Why Does Lake Natron Have Extreme Alkaline Levels?
During the Pleistocene period, a rare type of lava rich in sodium and potassium carbonates ran down the slopes of the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and into the lake and since the Lake Natron had no outflow and received irregular rainfall, it endured thousands of years of intense evaporation from the heat. This concentrated the trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate) and natron (hydrated sodium carbonate) in the leftover water hence creating a highly toxic brine. Lake Natron’s average alkalinity is 10.5, its pH surpasses 12 and its water temperature ranges from 40˚ to 60˚C.
Do animals really calcify in the water?
The lake can be deadly for animals that land within the lake. Scientists assume that birds are confused by the reflecting nature of the lake and fly right into it. Even pilots have fallen prey to this illusion. The high salt content causes the dead animals to dry out and be preserved perfectly. However, Nick Brandt’s famous pictures of eerie animals calcified perched on top of twigs and branches are misleading as these are posed. He collected particularly well calcified animals from the shores of the Lake and photographed them as if they were alive in their natural habitats. Animals do not just calcify in the mere proximity of the lake, but need to be directly exposed to the water.
How can flamingos survive in Lake Natron?
Flamingos flourish in this water as there are no natural predators thus making the breeding process less stressful. They actually feed on cyanobacteria known as spirulina within the lake which gives the lake its pinkish colour. Spirulina thrive in alkaline water like that of Lake Natron. The combination of no predators and feeding source constitutes the perfect environment for flamingos to prosper which is why up to 3 million Lesser Flamingos flock there every year.
Why is Lake Natron deadly?
The water of Lake Natron is very deadly due to the presence of cyanobacteria. This is an algae that releases a chemical which in turn damages the cells, nervous system and livers of most of the organisms that have consumed it. Many of the birds and animals that drink from Lake Natron wind up dead as a result. The animals, birds and bats that die in the water are calcified and turn into mummified versions of themselves and the talented artist Nick Brandt has taken many of these petrified animals and placed them in lifelike poses before snapping their photo.
Why is the Lake Natron pinkish-red in color?
The lake is a mesmerizing pinkish-red especially during the dry season due to the microorganisms like spirulina that live within it and act as a feeding source for flamingos.
How expensive is Lake Natron?
Accommodation at Lake Natron is a lot more affordable than other parks in the area. Yet, it is a national park and thus Tanzanian park and conservation fees apply, costing around US$ 35 plus some additional fees that constantly change. We will take care of these entirely and include them within your booking.
Summary of Facts about Lake Natron:
Here are some facts you’ll want to share with others for the wow factor!
Phantom rain
Lake Natron receives only 400 mm of rain a year, and much of that is ‘phantom rain’ – rain that evaporates before hitting the surface. This is because the lake is in a desert.
The lake’s water is poisonous
Lake Natron contains large salt, soda and magnesite deposits. This is a good environment for the growth of a kind of bacteria that damages the innards of the organisms that drink it.
A volcano-fed lake
The lake has no outlets, and receives most of its water from springs and episodic streams. Because the water coming into the lake leaches through the volcanic material of nearby Mt Ol Doinyo Lengai, the lake’s water is highly alkaline.
The water sometimes turns red
The water of Lake Natron sometimes turns red (or orange-red) because of the algae that thrives in its hypersaline environment. This red tinge to the water can even be seen from space!
The lake is really hot
The lake’s temperature can rise to 60 °C (140 °F) in summer! There are also hot springs on its eastern shore.
Flamingos thrive where others perish
Flamingos aren’t negatively affected by the bacteria in Lake Natron that harms most other birds. The lake is actually the largest breeding ground in the world for lesser flamingos!
Popular Trips to Tanzania
The tours below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
12 Days Serengeti Migration and Gorilla Trekking Safari
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CONTACT US for information or Quotation for a Tanzania Safari Tour combined with a safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya.
