Subsequently, these micro-organisms take a nice sunbath on the surface (because, yes, the water is low). Microorganisms living in this lake absorb this salt and grow exponentially. This salt also gives the lake a surreal red colour, especially when some of the water evaporates in the dry season, increasing the salt content even more.
#LAKE NATRON FLAMINGO SKIN#
The lake is nowhere more than three metres deep and has such a high salt content that the skin would fall off your feet if you tried to paddle. alcalica is also present in the lake, but not endemic), thrive in the waters at the edges of the hot spring inlets.Lake Natron is a lake in Tanzania, bordering Kenya. Greater Flamingo also breed on the mud flats.Įven more amazing than the ability of the flamingoes to live in these conditions is the fact that two endemic fish species, the alkaline tilapias (Alcolapia latilabris and A. Lake Natron is a safe breeding location because its caustic environment is a barrier against predators trying to reach their nests on seasonally forming evaporite islands. These flamingoes, the single large flock in East Africa, gather along saline lakes in the region, where they feed on Spirulina (a blue-green algae with red pigments). As salinity increases, so do the number of cyanobacteria, and the lake can support more nests. The lake is the only regular breeding area in East Africa for the 2.5 million Lesser Flamingoes, whose status of "near threatened" is a consequence of their dependence on the single breeding location. However it is an important habitat for flamingos and is home to endemic algae, invertebrates and round the margins even fish that can survive in the slightly less salty water. The high temperature and the high and very variable salt content of the lake do not support wildlife. Temperatures in the lake can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), and depending on rainfall, the alkalinity can reach a pH of 9 to 10.5 (almost as alkaline as ammonia). The lake falls within the Lake Natron Basin Wetlands of International Importance Ramsar Site. The surrounding country is dry and receives irregular seasonal rainfall. It is quite shallow, less than three meters (10 feet) deep, and varies in width depending on its water level, which changes due to high levels of evaporation, leaving concentrations of salt and other minerals, notably sodium carbonate (Natron). The lake is fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng'iro River and also by mineral-rich hot springs. Lake Natron Lake Natron is a salt lake located in northern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border, in the eastern branch of the East African Rift. The night is spent in a place now familiar to everyone.
Natron Day 8Įarly morning departure, leaving the dry, desolate and hauntingly beautiful lake behind us, following the well know riverbed back to the lush, green grassland on the foot of Oldonyo L’Engai. A late evening ride takes place, enjoying the cooler hours before darkness with good chances of seeing hyenas and jackals searching for food on the mud flats of the lake. Enjoy lunch in the springs and walk or drive back to camp. After the exhausting heat and dust a rewarding dip adds to the enjoyment of the days adventures. Natron Day 7Īfter breakfast a 45 minutes walk takes place heading towards the springs which enters the soda lake on the eastern shores. The night is spent close to the hot springs, overlooking the lake. We stop in the shades of some big acacias, near to a riverbed to gain some more energy for the last stretch of the days ride. With the volcano behind us, we enter a riverbed that offers some shade and thereafter crossing the open landscape before arriving to the lunch break. We are covering about 60 km in close to 40 degrees Celsius temperature.
#LAKE NATRON FLAMINGO FULL#
Natron Day 6,Īfter an early full English breakfast, we have the longest and toughest ride ahead of us. The afternoon is for everyone to relax allowing riders and horses muscles to rest.
Late lunch back in camp with time for a siesta. Today we will explore the areas around the only active volcano in Africa, Oldonyo L'Engai (Mountain of God). Thereafter everyone mounts his or her horses and the safari continues. Wakeup with coffee and tea before a bush breakfast.is served.
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