Lake Natron, Tanzania
Lake Natron is found in the northern part of Tanzania lying in the East African Rift Valley, 113 northwest of Arusha. The lake is 35 miles (56 km) long and 15 miles (24 km) wide and contains salt, soda, and magnesite deposits. The lake is close to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
It is the most important breeding site for Lesser Flamingos (Phoenicopterus minor) in the world. Food is plentiful, nesting sites abound – and above all, the lake is isolated and undisturbed. The ecosystem supports the pastoral livelihoods of the local communities and is an important habitat for other wildlife species – elephant, buffalo, hyena, lion, and Oryx among others. Volcanoes, such as Ol Doinyo Lengai (about 20 kilometers to the south), produce molten mixtures of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate salts. The mixture moves through the ground via a system of faults and wells up in more than 20 hot springs that ultimately empty into this lake.
What to see in Lake Natron
Among the most prominent attractions of Lake Natron is the Gelai Volcano, a 2,942 m (9,652 feet) high volcano in the southeastern part, and the archeological site of Peninj, where archeologists discovered the Peninj Mandible – the fossilized teeth of Australopithecus boisei.
Activities in Lake Natron
Activities in Lake Natron include visits to cultural walks, swimming, biking, and a simple trek to the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands.
Where to Stay in Lake Natron
The period from June to October is the best time for walking and hiking tours. You won’t find wildlife here, but the tracks are good. The weather at Lake Natron is primarily hot and mostly dry, and the coolest months are June through August.
