Lake Natron Day Trip

Lake Natron is located at the border between Tanzania and Kenya, right at the foot of Ol’ Doinyo Lengai, the sacred mountain of the Maasai.

The lake in the north of the Ngorongoro region, which glows red depending on the time of day, offers some special features. The lake is mainly fed by the Ewaso Nyiro River, which has its source in Kenya, and mineral-rich hot springs. The water heats up to 40°C during the day in the blazing sun. Water flows in but has no outlet. It can only escape through evaporation. As the water evaporates over time, it leaves behind high concentrations of salt and other minerals, like the Dead Sea. In contrast, however, Lake Natron is extremely alkaline. The pH of the water was measured at 10.5, almost as high as ammonia. As the water level falls, the salinity of the water increases which creates toxic bacteria. These pigmented bacteria are responsible for the lake’s rich red color. Lake Natron is fairly shallow, measuring only three meters at its deepest point, but has a vast area, with its width varying depending on the water level. It is a maximum of 60 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide. Thousands of flamingos have settled in the lake itself.

However, migratory birds often crash onto the surface of the lake. The reflecting water resembles a mirror, fooling birds into thinking they are flying through empty space. The birds are then mummified by the sodium carbonate present in the lake. During the dry season, when the water recedes, the desiccated, chemically preserved carcasses of the animals reappear.

Additional activities at Lake Natron
>Hike to the Ngare Sero Waterfalls
>Hike to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai