Lake Natron, Kenya & Tanzania
Lake Natron in northern Tanzania is a very special lake. Lying close to the Kenya border in the eastern branch of Africa’s Rift Valley, Lake Natron is the world’s largest breeding ground of the Lesser Flamingo. As the only breeding ground for this beautiful bird in East Africa, 2.5 million flamingos depend on Lake Natron for their continued survival. This large salt lake lies in an area…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Natron! Article topics include:
- All About Lake Natron
- Where to Stay
- Vacation Planning Tools
- Things to Do
- Known Fish Species
- Lake Natron Map
- Statistics / Weather / Helpful Links
- Lake Natron Gifts
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Lake Natron in northern Tanzania is a very special lake. Lying close to the Kenya border in the eastern branch of Africa’s Rift Valley, Lake Natron is the world’s largest breeding ground of the Lesser Flamingo. As the only breeding ground for this beautiful bird in East Africa, 2.5 million flamingos depend on Lake Natron for their continued survival. This large salt lake lies in an area that receives very little rainfall and relies on the intermittent flow of the Ewaso Ng’iro River flowing from Kenya and hot mineral springs to add water to the lake. Much water is lost through evaporation, leaving behind the salts and minerals that result in Lake Natron having a pH level near that of ammonia at times. The temperature of the water can range up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
This odd set of attributes makes Lake Natron an ideal breeding spot for the flamingos, who build their nests elevated above the hot mud flats. The hot, mineral-rich water is ideal for the growth of salt-loving microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, a form of blue-green algae. Red pigment in the cyanobacteria causes the red coloring of the water and tinges the salt crust of the lake pink. There are few intruders into this hostile environment, thus the flamingos can nest without disturbance, feasting on the algae.
Only a few types of fish can thrive in this mineral-rich environment. Two that do are uniquely acclimated to the hot spring inlets – both a form of alkaline tilapias. Because of the arid climate and lack of fresh water, there are no permanent settlements near the lake, just some herding and seasonal cultivation. Lake Natron has had human visitors for many thousands of years: beginning in 1998, human footprints judged to be 120,000 years old were discovered embedded in the tuft along the south shore of the lake. Various safaris and treks in the area take visitors to view the footprints, which are under study by anthropologists. Lake Natron is a scheduled stop on most Tanzania safaris and guided treks. Several camps near the shoreline act as stopping points for the safaris and as base camps from which the adventurous climb the slopes of nearby Ol Doinyo Lengai. This still-active volcano is unique among active volcanoes in that it produces natrocarbonatite lava, a unique occurrence of volcanic carbonatite. Further, the temperature of its lava as it emerges is only around 950 degrees Fahrenheit.
Designated as Lake Natron Basin Wetlands Of International Importance by RAMSAR, the international conservation community has attempted to work with the government of Tanzania to protect the delicate Lake Natron environment and its resident lesser flamingos. Currently, two threats to the ecology of Lake Natron are recognized. The first is a proposed hydroelectric dam to be built on the Kenya portion of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. It is feared that disruption of the water supply will change the alkalinity levels, thus endangering the food supply that supports the flamingo population. The second threat is the current plan by the government of Tanzania to allow a soda ash plant to be developed on the lakeshore. This plan includes providing housing for up to 1000 workers on-site and suspending a network of piping into the water to extract minerals for soda ash production. Ecologists are concerned that such an enterprise would alter salinity levels to the point where the flamingo nesting population would no longer be viable. Conservation groups are working internationally to try to alleviate damage to Lake Natron’s sensitive environment for both of these activities.
Camps near the shores of Lake Natron host eco-safaris and bird-watching tours; the freshwater marshes surrounding Lake Natron attract a variety of birds such as weavers, bee-eaters, vultures, eagles, storks, egrets, corrie bustards, sparrow, doves, buzzards and hawks. Bird-watching expeditions are most popular during the wet season, while large mammal viewing is better during the dry season. The closest access point to most treks and safaris that include Lake Natron is the Kilimanjaro Airport. A number of safari companies can provide nearly any itinerary you wish to travel. Depending on the level of luxury a safari group chooses, accommodations range from luxurious ‘camp’ accommodations including permanent tent facilities on raised platforms and complete with private baths, custom-prepared meals and spa treatments to rough camping facilities with provided tents. Some treks are available for bicycling tours, auto touring and volcano climbing. Cultural tours focus on visits to Masai villages to acquaint the visitors with traditional Masai culture. Several nearby reserves offer a variety of experiences and sights most first-time visitors to Africa consider high on their ‘bucket list’. Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park are within 50 miles of Lake Natron’s south and west shores, while Shompole Conservancy extends from just north of the shore into Kenya. The private Shompole Conservancy offers unique lodging facilities designed to make the most of a spectacular Rift Valley view.
If a trip to East Africa is on your list of dream destinations, Lake Natron should hold a prominent spot on the itinerary. Although there is no swimming, fishing or boating, Lake Natron is an experience no lakelubber should miss. Because there is little local lodging or real estate available, organized safaris and treks are the best way to see everything this unique natural wonder has to offer. Pack the camera, the binoculars and the sunscreen . . .you’re in for a very special treat!
Things to Do at Lake Natron
These are some activities in the Lake Natron, Kenya / Tanzania area visitors can enjoy:
- Camping
- Biking
- Birding
- National Park
Find Places to Stay at Lake Natron
If you’re considering a Lake Natron lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.
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More Sites to Book a Lake Natron Vacation
Our interactive Lake Natron lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:
Lake Natron Statistics & Helpful Links
Lake Type: Natural Saltwater Lake, Not Dammed
Surface Area: 148,263 acres
Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 2,001 feet
Water Volume: 283,750 acre-feet
Drainage Area: 360 sq. miles
More local lakes to explore in this area:
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