Tourist Attractions and Activities In Lake Natron, Tanzania Wildlife and Cultural Safari Tours
Discover Tanzania’s beautiful but deadly red lake: Natron. Apart from sometimes turning red, another reason that Lake Natron is so unusual is that it's incredibly caustic (alkaline) from the nearby volcano. This makes it poisonous to most animals. Animal and bird corpses can be found in and around the lake. One of the unique things about Lake Natron is that it's so wildly different from its neighboring attractions. It offers spectacular scenery that often seems implausible or unreal.
A visit to Lake Natron is an out-of-this-world experience. The location is worth visiting for its isolation, breathtaking beauty, and the chance to take a strenuous night climb up to the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai.
Lake Natron is in northern Tanzania, just over 100 km northwest of the city of Arushar in southern Kenya between Ol Donyo Lengai mountains and the Ngorongoro islands. The elongated lake is 56 km long from north to south, and 24 km wide. A small portion of the lake – its northern tip – lies over the border in southern Kenya.
Lake Natron sits at the lowest point of the valley in East Africa at an altitude of 600m or 2000 feet above sea level. The landscape is dominated by Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano that is just south of Lake Natron.
The area is very dry with temperatures reaching 60 degrees Celsius on a particularly hot day. Lake Natron gets its water from hot springs and the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The lake is generally shallow and about 3 meters deep. During the long dry season, the water reduces considerably in size as a result of evaporation leaving behind minerals and salts. Only one type of fish, algae, and bacteria can survive in this highly alkalized water.
The water of Lake Natron is very high in 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.
Wildlife at Lake Natron:
Despite all the harsh conditions, over 2.5 million Lesser flamingos thrive and breed here. The flamingos fed on the algae and felt safe in the area because of its remoteness. Flamingoes are among the few birds that aren't harmed by the cyanobacteria of the lake. The one known side effect of their consumption of this particular bacteria is their pink hue! Certain other water birds, like storks, are also unaffected by the lake's cyanobacteria, and so can be found flourishing 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.
Not only are flamingoes unharmed by the lake's cyanobacteria, but they flourish because of the presence of a different bacteria, which is their food source. They thrive on the lake's algae-rich water so much that at times there are over 2.5 million flamingoes at the lake! Lake Natron is the largest breeding ground in the world for lesser flamingoes.
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.
The surrounding area is also home to other species that can survive in this dry and dusty landscape, including kudus, oryxs, gerenuks, zebras, and ostriches. Fortunate adventurers may even catch a glimpse of a golden jackal!
Although Lake Natron does not contain the same array of wildlife as the surrounding natural parks, it is fascinating to see life so close to such a deadly body of water.
Things to do at Lake Natron:
Swimming:
Cool off in any one of the natural plunge pools in front of the accommodation units or dining/ bar area. There is also a larger pool suitable for swimming further downstream. The camp has natural springs, a true “spa” with life-giving waters flowing right through the camp into Lake Natron. There are a series of pools that are easily accessed and a must in the heat of the day to cool down and relax.
Watching Flamingos:
Lake Natron 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 the status of ‘near threatened’.The beguiling lesser flamingos feed on algae found in soda lakes across eastern Africa but choose to breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron. Guests can take early morning or sunset walks to the lake flats.
Bird Watching:
The Lake Flats surrounding the water's edge contain small streams, lakes, and hills that provide a variety of hospitable environments for birds that thrive in the alkali oasis. Take evening or morning walks to the lake, pond, and marsh for bird-watching.
Visit the Hominid Footprints:
Walk to hominid footprints within the concession area, and walk in the footsteps of man. New research has now confirmed these track-ways to be 120,000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens track-ways yet discovered.
Hiking Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai:
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.
Hiking Ngare Sero Water Falls:
You can go for a half or full-day walk up Engare Sero gorge to several waterfalls. The scenery is a unique blend of arid volcanic rocks and lush tropical palms.
Take Rift Valley Trek:
A great alternative to climbing Mount Lengai, this adventurous hike (6 hours, 10km) leaves at dawn from camp and you transfer to the base of the Rift Valley wall. You then scale the wall on foot, ascending close to the Ngare Sero gorge to enjoy the dawn. A picnic breakfast is taken with you and once on top, this is the perfect place to enjoy being in one of the most dramatic viewpoints in this region. After breakfast descend back down another route, or select the same way depending on time.
Visit the Maasai Bomas:
This part of the Great Rift Valley is populated by the Maasai people. Masai bomas spread around the area, but the main central village is a few kilometers away to the west at the base of the escarpment. The village is named Engare Sero, which means dappled water. This village gets its name from the river flowing out of the escarpment through a spectacular gorge that is both arid and lush.
You can even spend an evening with the Maasai and learn about their customs as a warrior tribe, eat traditional food, and sleep under the sky in the protection of their ‘boma’.
Best time to visit:
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. In August, the flamingos start to gather at the lake and continue to amass until October. Visiting during these months gives you a chance to see this spectacular gathering.
The dry season also provides better conditions for hikes in the surrounding area since paths can be treacherous during the wet season. 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.
Access to Lake Natron:
It's recommended that you visit Lake Natron on your return from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or the Serengeti National Park.
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.
The following morning, you will complete an 8-hour drive to Engaresero. Your accommodation in Engaresero will be your base for your adventures at Lake Natron. After visiting Lake Natron, you can undertake a 3-hour road journey to Arusha.
Accommodation at Lake Natron:
Apart from the exciting opportunity to stay at a Maasai Boma, there are limited accommodation options around Lake Natron. Some of the options include the Lake Natron Camp and the Africa Safari Lake Natron:
The Lake Natron Camp- is a basic but comfortable option. The tents are spacious, and they have a 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 a pool and a bar area where you can enjoy your favourite evening tipple.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the safari tour of Lake Natron in Tanzania.
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