Table of Contents
About The Area
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.
