Tanzania is certainly one of the most scientifically interesting countries in the world. While it is relatively overlooked for tourism, scientists flock to Tanzania to learn about some of the unique anomalies of nature; Lake Natron.

But what makes this Biome so fascinating?

Lake Natron is a salt and alkaline ‘soda lake’ in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania. It sits within the Gregory Rift just south of the Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is a maximum of 57km long and 22km wide during the wet season and the water temperature is very high during the dry seasons. This is partly why Lake Natron seems to steam and evaporate.

The high levels of evaporation have left behind Natron (which is Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate) and Trona (Sodium Sesquicarbonate Dihydrate) which causes the lake to have a PH level of greater than 12. In combination with the volcanic rock surroundings and very low calcium & magnesum levels, this allowed the lake to concentrate into a caustic alkaline brine.

While this brine is not particularly harmful in small doses, it is strong enough for the Maasai to regularly treat hard skin on their feet and to calcify animals that have perished in the water.

The area around Lake Natron is particularly volcanic and is in close proximity to the Volcano Ol Doniyo Lengai – which is sacred to the Maasai and pours black lava. Travellers may hike the volcano if you wish to!

The Animals at Lake Natron

The lake is made famous by its enormous population of two  Flamingo species. The flocks travel between Lake Manyara, through Lake Natron and into Kenya depending on the seasons. It is very unlikely that you do not a layer of pink across the water.

It is also not uncommon to see Zebra, Hienas, Buffalo and Wildebeest travelling across the sandy planes of the Gregory Rift. While their abundance depends on the seasons, they are easily spotted on the horizon of the flat rift floor.

Facts about Lake Natron Lake

Lake Natron is a wonder of the world – and should be on your itinerary. While it is not known for its animals, the geological history and intrigue should be enough!

• 57kms Long and up to 22km wide​
• The Sand Dries Red Due To Alkaline Salt​
• Home to millions of Flamingos ​
• Home to An Active Volcano ​
• Stone Animals Of Lake Natron

Stone Animals of Lake Natron

Lake Natron is also famous for the calcified remains of dead animals and birds. The Alkaline lake is so caustic that it can burn the skin, limbs and eyes of any animal that is not accustomed to its surroundings. The chemicals present in the lake are very similar to those used during the process of Egyptian mummification and preserve the animals that are unlucky enough to die in the water. These animals are also encrusted in a layer of alkaline salt that helps to create the ‘turned to stone’ image that has been portrayed in the media. Unlike current common belief and speculation, these animals do not simply turn to ‘stone’ when they touch the water. There are large populations of flamingos and other wildlife that live within the shallows at the edge of Lake Natron. Regardless of the myths and hyperinflated stores of ‘stone animals’, this is still a spectacular sight to behold.

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There are 9 main coffee growing regions in Tanzania:

• Arusha/ Kilimanjaro/ Mount Meru
• Iringa
• Kigoma
• Matengo Highlands
• Mbeya
• Mbinga
• Morogoro
• Ngara
• Usambara Mountains.

Production from these regions are between 30,000 and 40,000 metric tons a year. 70% of which is made from Arabica beans and 30% Robusta beans. There are, however, pockets and independent farms that grow other beans such as the premium Blue Mountain beans from Jamaica. Harvest of Tanzanian coffee is traditionally between October and February

The History of Tanzanian Coffee

Tanzania, like all Subsaharan African countries, has a complex history of settlers and colonisation which changed the course of the nation forever. In the late 19th century, German colonists found the land laden with Coffee which, as it is today, was a valuable commodity. In the early 1900s (1911) the German administration mandated the growth of Arabica coffee trees throughout the Bukoba regions and controlled the cultivation of the crops. They made access to the seeds easy to encourage more farmers to grow their valuable coffee. The German occupiers took Coffee cultivation to the north near Arusha and Kilimanjaro too.

After the first world war, it was the British who took over and accelerated the growth of Tanzanian Coffee via a campaign of land reforms. The spread of coffee throughout Tanzania was partly accelerated by the new British railway network. In 1925 the Kilimanjaro Native Planters’ Association (KNPA) was formed and helped to start the process of obtaining better prices for the farmers. In 1925 the Kilimanjaro Native Planters’ Association (KNPA) was formed and it was the first of many coffee cooperatives formed in the country, formed to help farmers obtain a better price.

Even today, 90% percent of Tanzanian Coffee farms are small independent firms, with the remainder being made up of plantations and industrial coffee farming. Since 1990, the cooperative unions are responsible for marketing and exporting coffee outside of Tanzania. This ensures that each farmer, no matter their size, can compete and participate in the coffee industry.

How Does Tanzanian Coffee Taste?

East African coffee in general has a very unique quality caused by the high altitudes and climate. Usually, much like Kenyan Coffee, Tanzanian coffee is bright, rich in flavour and has wine-y acidity which is what makes African coffee blends so sought after.

Tanzania is considered to have the finest medium roasted coffee on earth – yes, even compared to Kenyan Coffee. Medium roasted Tanzanian coffee beans have an intense, creamy creme, a full-flavoured body and berry notes. Compared to Ethiopian coffee, Kilimanjaro coffee is softer with more floral, delicate profiles of flavour. Meaning that to many, Tanzanian coffee is much preferred to other East African coffees.

Dark roasted Tanzanian Coffee has a unique deep, rich flavour of chocolate, cream and dark fruits. This bean is much more suited to those who like a rich, peppery, strong coffee; similar to those produced in Columbia. While the depth of flavour is there, the dark roasted coffee has much less caffeine than medium roasted coffee.

Coffee Tours

Since Coffee is what Tanzania does best, it would be a shame not to visit some of the famous coffee plantations around the Arusha area. Whether you are traveling to the North of Tanzania to pass through or to see the big 5, then you’re not too far away from a coffee tour.

The North has some of the most well-known coffee tours in Tanzania, and accommodations situated among the coffee bushes themselves. From the extremely well known Gibbs Farm to the Arusha coffee lodge.

A lesser-known Coffee region is Mbeya – this remote and monotonous region of Tanzania sits on the Malawian border and host some spectacular views, many of which can be seen from the coffee plantations themselves.

The owners of Lunjo Coffee farm are extremely lucky to be able to sip their homegrown coffee and look out over the beautiful vistas of the Mbeya highlands. Coffee tours here include trekking, exploring the farm lands and of course, sampling all of the coffee the farm has to offer.

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The name ‘Ol Doniyo Lengai’ comes from the language of the Maasai, and roughly translates to ‘Mountain of God’ – which is a very apt name for this impressive monolith of rock and volcanic ash. The volcano stands at 3188m high just shy of Lake Natron’s southern tip and can easily be seen from the shoreline, therefore, the volcano is a huge feature of any adventure around the Lake Natron area.

So what makes going to view Ol Doinyo Lengai so interesting? Well, other than the fact that you will be standing at the foot of an active volcano, Ol Doniyo Lengai is unique. Even for Volcanos.

First of all – the volcano is considered a religious site for the Maasai. The Maasai are a nomadic tribe who are made famous by their traditional dress, nomadic lifestyle and their athletic abilities. The tribe travel throughout almost the whole of Northern Tanzania and into Southern Kenya, and have called the (now) conservation area their home for thousands of years. The Massai believe that their god lives inside the mountain. On occasion when the tribes-people are facing hard times, such as drought, disease or disputes, a group will travel to the peak and partake in religious rituals. The rituals can include dancing, singing and animal sacrifice.

The mountains ‘speaks’ too. If you are close enough, you can hear the bubbling, hissing and moving of the volcanic activity – even at the foot.

Scientifically, Ol Doinyo Lengai is also very special. Unlike any other volcano in the world, the lava from the mountain flows black in the sunlight – rather than glowing red. This is entirely down to the rare occurrence of Natrocarbonatites. Where most other Lava deposits contain silicate minerals, Natrocarbonatite lava contains sodium, potassium, nyerereite and gregoryite.

The mineral contents cause the lava to erupt at relatively low temperatures -between 500 and 600 degrees C ( 930 – 1100 degrees F).

At the top of the mountain, it is clear to see the volcanic deposit seeping down the side of the mountain. The lava appears white, grey as it cools and breaks down very quickly. The volcanic dust is then blown from the top, across the whole landscape. Thus making miles around some of the most fertile, and interesting landscapes on earth.

The Ol Doniyo Lengai Hike

The universe favours the brave. Yes, it is true. You are able to travel to and hike up the mountain if you have the stomach for it. While it is still an active volcano, it is possible to travel to the top – at your own risk of course.

There are multiple ways you can do this – either by contacting a local guide – or speaking to a local Maasai guide. The Ol Doniyo Lengai hike is potentially one of the most impressive, once in a lifetime, experiences that are available in Tanzania (there are many life-changing experiences here). Not only will you be able to say that you’ve stood on the top of an active volcano, but you will be able to survey the spectacular views of the Ngorongoro highlands, rift valley and finally across the stunning Lake Natron, and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

This is a view very few people have enjoyed – and unforgettable for those who have been lucky enough.

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