Lake Natron, Tanzania: Flamingos, Ol Doinyo Lengai and Africa's Red Lake Explained

Lake Natron lies in the Great Rift Valley, in a hot, dry basin below the Ngorongoro highlands. The lake has no outlet. The Ewaso Ng'iro River and mineral-rich hot springs feed it, and water leaves only by evaporation, which leaves behind natron, a mixture of sodium carbonate and other salts. The result is a very alkaline lake where few creatures can live, apart from salt-tolerant microbes and a specialised fish that survives near the springs.

That harsh chemistry is also why the lake draws so many flamingos. Predators are scarce on the salt crust, so the birds nest in safety. This guide explains what makes Natron red, what is true and false about the "petrified animals" pictures, what to see and do, and how to reach this remote corner of Tanzania.

This guide is part of our Uganda districts and towns guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Why Lake Natron Looks Red

The pink and red colours come from salt-loving microorganisms, mostly cyanobacteria and other microbes, that flourish in the salty, alkaline shallows. They produce red and orange pigments that tint the water and the salt crust. The colour changes with water level and season, so the lake can look pale pink, deep red or almost white when the surface dries out. Photographers prefer early morning and late afternoon light, when colours are strongest.

Flamingos at Lake Natron

Lake Natron is the main breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa. Millions of birds depend on a small number of alkaline lakes in the Rift Valley, and Natron is the place where they build their mud nests on the salt flats when conditions allow. Numbers and timing change with rainfall and water level, so flamingos are not guaranteed in every month. Ask a guide or lodge before travelling. The birds feed on blue-green algae in the shallows and often gather in large pink groups. Read more in Lake Manyara, another Rift Valley flamingo lake.

The "Stone Animals" Photographs: Fact and Myth

Black-and-white photographs of birds and bats that look as if they have turned to stone made Lake Natron widely known. The animals do die in the lake, often after flying into the water or the salt crust, and the natron coats their bodies as they dry. The preserved shapes have been described as "calcified", but the lake does not turn living animals to stone, and many visitors walk or swim in its shallow edges without harm. The water is caustic and can irritate skin and eyes, so enter only where guides advise and rinse well.

Ol Doinyo Lengai: The Mountain of God

Ol Doinyo Lengai, "Mountain of God" in Maasai, is an active volcano on the southern shore. It is the only volcano known to erupt natrocarbonatite lava, which is unusually cool and dark but turns white after rain. The climb is steep and loose and is usually done at night to reach the crater at dawn, with a guide. Expect a strenuous trip suitable only for fit hikers. Read about other mountains in the Kilimanjaro guide.

Things to Do Around the Lake

• Walk to the lake edge with a Maasai guide to see flamingos and the salt flats.
• Visit the Engare Sero waterfalls and gorge, a short walk to a pool and a cascade.
• Visit a Maasai village; see Maasai culture.
• Combine with Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.

How to Get to Lake Natron

Natron is remote. It is reached by 4x4 on long, rough roads from Arusha or the northern circuit, usually via Mto wa Mbu or Loliondo, and a drive takes much of a day. The area is very hot, with little shade, so travellers carry water and sun protection. Camps are simple and few, and trips are best booked through an operator that knows the route. See Arusha safari gateway guide and northern vs southern circuit.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team