Lake Natron is a salt or soda lake in northern Tanzania. It is close to Lake Manyara. It is in the Gregory Rift, which is part of the East African Rift’s eastern branch. The lake is at the base of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai.
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is a shallow, highly alkaline lake in northern Tanzania, measuring approximately 57 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres in width. Its depth rarely exceeds three metres, and its size fluctuates depending on seasonal rainfall, which mainly occurs between December and May. Temperatures around the lake are extreme, often exceeding 40°C, and can reach up to 60°C in the hottest months.
As freshwater evaporates, the lake becomes rich in salt minerals such as sodium and trona, creating a highly alkaline environment with pH levels sometimes above 12. This harsh environment supports specialised microorganisms, including cyanobacteria and blue-green algae, which thrive in the saline water. The pigments from these microorganisms give the lake’s water a deep red hue, while the shallow areas appear orange. Salt-loving microorganisms on the lake’s surface create the distinctive red or pink alkali crust.
Flamingo Breeding Grounds
Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding sites for flamingos in Africa. The extreme conditions make the lake inhospitable to most predators, providing a safe environment for nesting on seasonal evaporation islands. Each year, over two million flamingos flock to the lake to lay their eggs, with chicks hatching between September and April. The abundance of cyanobacteria in the saline water provides a rich food source for the young birds.
Other Wildlife
Although few large animals inhabit the lake, tilapia and other small fish survive in the less saline waters near the shore. The area also supports specialised insects and birds found nowhere else, making Lake Natron a prime destination for birdwatching.
Nearby Attractions
Lake Natron is conveniently located near other northern Tanzanian parks, including Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the northern Serengeti, making it a natural addition to any northern safari itinerary.
Lake Natron is a shallow, highly alkaline lake in northern Tanzania, measuring approximately 57 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres in width. Its depth rarely exceeds three metres, and its size fluctuates depending on seasonal rainfall, which mainly occurs between December and May. Temperatures around the lake are extreme, often exceeding 40°C, and can reach up to 60°C in the hottest months.
As freshwater evaporates, the lake becomes rich in salt minerals such as sodium and trona, creating a highly alkaline environment with pH levels sometimes above 12. This harsh environment supports specialised microorganisms, including cyanobacteria and blue-green algae, which thrive in the saline water. The pigments from these microorganisms give the lake’s water a deep red hue, while the shallow areas appear orange. Salt-loving microorganisms on the lake’s surface create the distinctive red or pink alkali crust.
Flamingo Breeding Grounds
Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding sites for flamingos in Africa. The extreme conditions make the lake inhospitable to most predators, providing a safe environment for nesting on seasonal evaporation islands. Each year, over two million flamingos flock to the lake to lay their eggs, with chicks hatching between September and April. The abundance of cyanobacteria in the saline water provides a rich food source for the young birds.
Other Wildlife
Although few large animals inhabit the lake, tilapia and other small fish survive in the less saline waters near the shore. The area also supports specialised insects and birds found nowhere else, making Lake Natron a prime destination for birdwatching.
Nearby Attractions
Lake Natron is conveniently located near other northern Tanzanian parks, including Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the northern Serengeti, making it a natural addition to any northern safari itinerary.