With vast isolated salt flats providing safety from predators and ready supplies of freshwater and food from lakeside springs and cyanobacteria-rich hot saline waters, Lake Natron is a perfect breeding site for Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, classified as Near Threatened on the 2008 IUCN Red List. It is internationally recognised as a valuable wetland site by the Ramsar Convention and as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International (Fishpool and Evans 2001, TME 2007). But please allow two night at Lake Natron otherwise you will be disappointed.Īllow two night at Lake Natron otherwise you will be disappointed.Lake Natron in Tanzania is an important wildlife area that supports a thriving Masai community and large mammal and bird populations. Or from July to October, it can be used as a stepping stone into the northern Serengeti National Park to where the migration is likely to be at that time. Lake Natron can be visited from the south from Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro crater area (approx 4 hours drive each way). Walking can take many formats from day walks (see Lake Natron walking) to a multi-day trek down from the Ngorongoro highlands via Empakai crater down the escarpment to end at Lake Natron. Walking in the Rift Valley HighlandsĪ walking safari to Lake Natron is very rewarding given its position under the Rift Valley highlands.

Other wildlife commonly seen are zebra and giraffe, as well as wildebeest, oryx, gazelles and even the occasional lion or cheetah (very rarely seen). But they are greatest in number from August to October when they breed. The flamingos (some 2.5 million at their peak) come and go. Lake Natron has not dried out only because it is fed by the immensely powerful Ewaso Ngiro river coming from the wet central highlands. But this mirage is caused by millions of flamingos as well as red pigments in the algae of the salt-encrusted lake. As you approach, the lake seems to be pink. Lake Natron is an immensely alkaline soda lake, the result of the same tectonic activity which created the rift valley. See Walks from Lake Natron for more information… Flamingos at Lake Natron Intrepid hikes can do an overnight climb to the top. This active volcano (2960m) last erupted in 2004. This starkly beautiful wide valley is home to remote Maasai tribes trying to eke out a precarious living in this much drier climate (only 400mm of rain) than the Highlands.Īs you approach the Lake, the looming majesty of Ol Doinyo Lengai dominates the skyline, with its classic volcano silhouette. As you travel you see real Maasai village-life that you'll not see on the normal ‘safari circuit’. So it's not for those with a bad back! But it is also incredibly beautiful with the wall of the Rift Valley escarpment in full, impressive view. The route in to Lake Natron from the south (from near Lake Manyara) is bumpy and dusty. But this extremely alkaline lake is but one of the attractions of this remote area of northern Tanzania. This is a wondrous sight for all, but especially keen photographers. A Lake Natron safari should yield sightings of thousands of pink-tinged lesser flamingos.

Lake Natron is one of the great soda lakes of the Great Rift Valley.

Lake natron in africa