Remote Rift Valley soda lake home to thousands of flamingoes

Lake Natron, in the Great Rift Valley, is one of the many soda (alkaline) lakes in the area, the lake is surrounded by spectacular volcanic scenery and sits at the foot of the active Ol Donyo Lengai volcano. The area around the Lake is exceptionally beautiful with its desolation and almost lunar landscape beauty. It is one of East Africa’s major breeding areas for Lesser Flamingo.

The lake has a very high concentration of salts getting its pink hue from millions of cyano-bacteria that form the flamingo’s staple diet. The lake is home to literally hundreds of thousands of lesser flamingo’s as well as many other species of birdlife.

The drive from Mto wa Mbu up the Rift Valley to Lake Natron is one of the most dramatic and scenic journeys in Tanzania.  Nature walks escorted by local Masai guides, are a wonderful way to appreciate the sheer beauty of this area.  Birdwatching on the shores of the lake is a popular pastime.