Lake Natron A soda lake & a live volcano
Lake Natron is a huge alkaline lake on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Although Arusha (214km) is in the vicinity, it’s a wild and isolated area on the famous Northern Circuit. Yet, Lake Natron can be easily visited in conjunction with Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park.
Lake Natron experiences a hot desert climate year-round, and its alkaline water is deadly to most birds and animals. Moreover, the roads are bumpy, and the air is dusty. So why does Lake Natron attract so many visitors?
Lake Natron is a destination for nature lovers, solitude seekers and photographers. This incredible lake, which turns red in the dry season, dominates the stunning scenery, and Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano, creates a spectacular backdrop. The deep ochre colours and unique landscapes feel unreal at times.
It is an alkaline lake surrounded by vegetation that transitions from groundwater forests to flood plains and finally to grasslands dotted with acacia trees. The lake is fed from the northern Simba River and the eastern Makuyuni River. Plus, it forms part of the Rift Valley catchment during the rainy seasons. In recent years the lake’s water level has risen significantly and skeletons of waterlogged trees mark the old shoreline.
Park inhabitants include buffalos, hippos, baboons, waterbucks, impalas, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. There is a healthy population of leopards, but sightings are rare due to the thick vegetation. In the past, the park was renowned for large populations of elephants and tree-climbing lions, however, since the lake’s water levels have risen sightings are rarer.
Ol Doinyo Lengai
Engare Sero
15 km (9 mi) from Ol Doinyo Lengai, evidence of humankind’s earliest days can be observed at Engare Sero. Four hundred preserved human footprints crisscross the ground and give us a glimpse into the lives of people who lived in the area from 5000 to 19000 years ago, which is a humbling experience.
Flamingos
From September to May, Lake Natron becomes a breeding ground for ~2.5 million Lesser Flamingos, an incredible wildlife spectacle. This is one reason why Lake Natron is considered a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. They breed in the shallow waters in the middle of the lake to protect their young from hyenas and jackals. You can also see them moving through the water in large, choreographed groups. However, the most common behaviour to observe is the flamingos feeding on the lake’s shoreline.
An additional ~250 bird species make birdwatching a popular attraction. Along with the Lesser and Greater Flamingo, you can see the common ostrich, sacred ibis, Egyptian goose, pelican, crested francolin, kori bustard, bare-faced go-away-bird and many others.
Lake Natron does not have vast numbers of wildlife. However, the shoreline is home to zebra, wildebeest, kudu, oryx, and gerenuks, while golden jackals and hyenas are among the few rarely seen predators.
What to do at Lake Natron?
One highlight is a short 45-minute guided hike to Lake Natron’s waterfall, which is a marvel in such a hot environment. Walks commence in the afternoons, and when you enter the steep sided Ngare Sero River gorge, you instantly feel relief from the heat. Hip high water crossings add to the cooling effect. Moreover, you can swim behind the cascading torrent of water at the waterfall – an unforgettable experience.
Visit a Manyata (homestead) to learn more about the Maasai, their gods, and their nomadic culture.
Lake Natron is an off-the-beaten-track destination for nature lovers looking to leave the rest of the world behind.
When to go to Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
The best time to visit Lake Natron is during the dry season, from June to October. Daytime temperatures are still hot but milder than during the rainy season, and hiking is more comfortable. Intense evaporation during the dry season increases the lake’s salinity levels, creating the perfect environment for the cyanobacteria to multiply rapidly. This process turns the lake red. Consequently, the best time to take incredible photos is the dry season. The area should be avoided from mid-November to February if you do not like very hot weather. You can visit during the rainy season, from March to May; however, parts of the shoreline may be inaccessible.
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