Lake Natron is a shallow soda lake in Tanzania. It is fed by the southern Ewaso River and mineral-rich hot springs. The lake is only about 3 meters deep, and its width changes depending on the water level.
Lake Natron receives water from natural mineral hot springs and the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which starts in central Kenya. Because of high evaporation, the lake’s water is very alkaline, with a pH level above 12.
The lake is about 57 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide. It lies within the Lake Natron Basin, which is a Ramsar site, meaning it is a wetland of international importance. The depth is less than three meters, and the width varies as the water level changes.
The deep red color of the open lake water and the orange color in the shallow areas come from a red pigment in cyanobacteria that produce their own food through photosynthesis. The salt crust on the lake’s surface is often red or pink because of salt-loving microorganisms living there.
The rock around Lake Natron is mostly made of sodium-rich trachyte lava from the Pleistocene period. These lavas have high carbonate but low calcium and magnesium. This allows the lake to turn into a strong alkaline brine.
During the dry season, the salt level rises, and salt-loving microorganisms, such as certain cyanobacteria, start to grow. These bacteria make food like plants through photosynthesis. The lake’s color shows the high rate of evaporation. Around the lake, salt marshes and freshwater wetlands support many plants.
History
Lake Natron was added to the Ramsar List of wetlands of international importance on July 4, 2021. However, farming, herding near the lake, plans for a hydroelectric power plant on the Ewaso Ng’iro River, and a proposed soda ash plant on the lake’s shores are threats.
These could harm the millions of lesser flamingos that depend on Lake Natron, as the lake is home to 75 percent of the world’s lesser flamingos.
Entry Fee
Visitors who want to see Lake Natron must get a permit from the Wildlife Management Association. The permit is valid for 24 hours. The entry fee for wildlife activities is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Vehicles are charged 18,000 Tanzanian shillings.
Camping costs $24 for adults and $12 for children. There is also a village fee, paid in cash and not included in the Wildlife Management Association fees.
Animals
Because of the high temperatures and salt levels, Lake Natron does not support many animals. Still, some algae, birds, invertebrates, and fish live in the lake.
Lake Natron is the only regular breeding place for over 2.5 million lesser and greater flamingos. The lake’s harsh environment keeps predators away from their nests, making it a safe place for breeding.
Location
Lake Natron is in the northern part of Tanzania, in the Arusha region. It sits in the Gregory Rift, which is part of the eastern branch of the Great East African Rift Valley.
Best Time to Visit
The area around Lake Natron gets irregular rainfall from December to May, about 800 millimeters each year. Temperatures at the lake are always above 40 degrees Celsius. This means the lake can be visited all year.
Accommodation
There are no basic hotels near the lake, but several campsites are available. These camps are also the base for climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai.
