Lake Natron

Lake Natron is highly an Alkaline, Salt Lake in Tanzania. It known for its red colors that are caused by the salt living microorganisms that thrive in the extremely hot and mineral rich waters. Lake Natron is a breeding site/ground for lesser flamingos.

Lake Natron is located in the Northern of Ngorongoro District of Arusha Region in Tanzania. It’s in the Gregory Rift which is the eastern branch of the East African Rift. It is the only regular breeding place for the lesser Flamingoes in Africa. Though it’s not a habit but its also in danger because of the development of the location. Lake Natron is quite shallow lake. Its 3 meter deep. The lake is 57 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide. The area around lake Natron receives irregular rainfall, that is between December and May.

As water evaporates in the lake, water with high concentration of salt minerals such as sodium and trona remains. The alkalinity ofm the lake csn be more than 12 percent.

The bacteria and algae that can survive in this environment and also form an environment that is suitable for birds to breed. The red color that is found in the lake is the result of those cyno bacteria that produce the deep red color of the water and orange in the ends of the lake. They produce their own food through photosynthesis. The salt living microorganisms are the ones creating the beautiful color of lake Natron.

Lake Natron is the best breeding place for the flamingoes. They find that lake Natron is safe for them because of its alkalinity, and there are animals that cannot live in such areas also its high temperature and that is more than 60°c isn’t favorable. Every year more than 21 flamingoes come to lake Natron and lay their Eggs and also chicks hatch there. That’s in between September and April.

Distance to lake Natron

• Arusha to Natron- 6hrs
• Tarangire to Natron- 4hrs
• Manyara to Natron- 3hrs
• Mto wa Mbu to Natron- 3hrs
• Serengeti to Natron – 5hrs