Lake Natron

Tanzania’s Beautiful Yet Deadly Red Lake

Nestled in northern Tanzania, Lake Natron is a geological marvel that stretches approximately 56 kilometers long and 24 kilometers wide. Located just over 100 kilometers northwest of Arusha, the journey to this striking lake typically takes about 2 to 3 hours by car, making it an ideal addition to your Tanzanian safari itinerary. Its unique landscape, with shades of red and pink, offers a stark contrast to the more traditional wildlife viewing experiences found in places like the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater.

Why is Lake Natron Unique?

Lake Natron is unlike any body of water you’ve ever encountered. Its striking coloration is caused by Dunaliella salina, a type of algae that flourishes in its highly alkaline waters, giving the lake its vivid red hue. The water’s extreme alkalinity, fueled by the nearby Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, a dormant volcano, creates an environment that is toxic to most wildlife, leading to the eerie sight of mummified animal remains scattered along its shores. Despite this, the lake serves as a vital breeding ground for lesser flamingos, making it a unique ecological hotspot

Flamingos and Wildlife

Incredibly, while most animals cannot survive in Lake Natron’s caustic waters, flamingos thrive. This lake is the world’s largest breeding ground for lesser flamingos, where they nest in mud mounds and rear their young. The contrasting pink hues of the flamingos against the vibrant red lake create a breathtaking spectacle, especially during mating season from August to October.

Visitors can also encounter various bird species, including the common ostrich, marabou stork, and the majestic secretary bird. As you explore the surrounding areas, keep an eye out for other wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and even dromedary camels, which have been introduced to the region.

Hiking Adventures

For the adventurous, Lake Natron offers thrilling hiking opportunities, particularly with the ascent of Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai.

The challenging hike is typically done overnight, allowing climbers to summit the volcano by dawn. The views from the summit, looking out over the Rift Valley, are both exhilarating and rewarding.

Cultural Encounters

The Maasai people, who inhabit the region, have a rich cultural heritage that adds depth to the Lake Natron experience.

Visitors can engage with this vibrant community, learning about their traditional lifestyle and customs while enjoying the stunning backdrop of the lake.

Cultural Encounters

Lake Natron is a unique blend of beauty and danger, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Tanzania. Its vibrant colors, striking landscapes, and the unique opportunity to observe flamingos in their natural habitat create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re hiking up a volcano, taking in the otherworldly scenery, or connecting with the Maasai culture, Lake Natron offers a captivating glimpse into one of nature’s most extraordinary landscapes.

More Unique pictures of Lake Natron Area

What our Client Say

     EXCELLENT  
     Based on 92 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Thomas J 
 2024-08-26
 
 
 Verified We booked a hike to Kili and a four-day Safari with Kiliclimb Africa Safaris
I can recommend Kiliclimb Africa Safaris a lot. They care for the best of their clients. They always are ready to help and support, are very friendly and are totally locally involved - giving work to locals and supporting the local people. Moses and Esther are always reachable via whatsapp or email and are ready to answer every question that comes up. They are flexible and love their job. Mungu Akubariki sana!
  
 
       
   Tim S 
 2024-08-07
 
 
 Verified Kiliclimb Africa Safari far exceeded our Tanzania safari expectations.
As a couple, we dreamed of exploring the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in 2024 but we did not really know how to make the dream a doable reality. After an exhaustive Internet search and numerous calls to different companies, we found Kiliclimb African Safaris, a company with genuinely personal service and local knowledge. From the first conversation with the owners, Esther and Moses, we knew we had found people who are expertly familiar with Tanzania and who understood our needs. They created a customized itinerary that met our wishes, timeframe, and budget. They coordinated every trip detail, both in planning and during the actual trip. The lodges that we stayed at while we journeyed were top notch. We are both vegetarians and all our delicious meals were provided accordingly. Kiliclimb even arranged a surprise birthday celebration for Tim at one of the Serengeti lodges. Our driver and guide, Bakari, had an encyclopedic knowledge of all the animals, birds, trees, and plants that we encountered on our game drives. His trekking skill allowed us to have truly exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime interactions and sightings of animals. His training and experience was superior to any other guide we have had on other drives and safaris. Suffice to say that we are very pleased with our Tanzanian experience and are deeply grateful to Kiliclimb African Safaris for creating a stress free, relaxing, and enriching experience for us. We strongly recommend their services, their kindness, and their integrity.
  
 
       
   Lawrence L 
 2024-08-01
 
 
 Verified Greatest adventure with the best (and most responsible) guide and team
Moses and his team were phenomenal. This is the trip of a lifetime and every step (literally) was perfect because of this team. I think the factor that people don't take into account is safety on this trip. While not technical, it would be easy to get hurt. Guiding us on this incredible journey AND ensuring that the safety of my family was always foremost importance demonstrated how excellent Moses is. I would highly recommend him and his team without any hesitation.
  
 
       
   Ahn S 
 2024-07-30
 
 
 Verified Best memory in my life
I had a difficult situation upon arriving in Tanzania due to issues with my phone, but the tour company representative went above and beyond to help me fix it, which allowed me to successfully complete my Kilimanjaro climb. Additionally, my guide, porters, cook, and all the staff were incredibly kind, making every moment of the climb memorable. The climb itself was challenging and full of obstacles, but with the wonderful team, we managed to overcome them wisely. When I reached the summit, I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view and couldn't hold back my tears. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks once again to the tour company representative for assembling such a great team
  
 
       
   Gergely L 
 2024-07-30
 
 
 Verified Personalized, friendly and attentive service, making our experience truly unforgettable.
We recently returned from a breathtaking 4-day family safari in Tanzania, thanks to the exceptional, tailor-made service provided by kiliclimb Africa Safaris. From booking to the end of our trip, their attention to our needs was outstanding. Our journey started smoothly with airport transfers and a personalised itinerary designed to match our interests (i.e., Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and visiting a Massai village). Thanks to our great guide, Terry we saw the Big Five, captured stunning photos, and experienced the beauty of Tanzania's nature and wildlife. Sunset in the Serengeti was a truly unforgettable moment for our 11-year old daughter too. Throughout the safari, Moses and Esther were always available, their constant support and flexibility made us feel valued and cared for, turning our trip into a perfect adventure. Such distinguished attention to their guests is a clear advantage compared to big tour operators and international agents. We highly recommend kiliclimb Africa Safaris for anyone seeking a smoothly organised, customised and extraordinary African safari.
  
 
       
   Wanderer40217160552 
 2024-07-27
 
 
 Verified Amazing Kili tracking
Moses and his team made us an amazing and unforgettable Kili adventure! Great nature, tracking, discovery and food with a competent team. Can highly recommend!
  
 
       
   Silas L 
 2024-07-24
 
 
 Verified An unforgettable experience
Our experience climbing Kilimanjaro with Kiliclimb was one I will never forget. Our guide, Moses was incredible. He was knowledgeable, kind, funny, and entertaining. Even when we wanted to give up he kept us motivated and encouraged. He educated us with the necessary information we needed to complete the expedition, and he and the team kept us well fed and happy the whole way up. The team was professional and impressively efficient. Would 100% recommend doing a trip with Kiliclimb!
  
 
       
   mjeschke 
 2024-07-22
 
 
 Verified Amazing trip with family
We had a 4-day safari in July 2024 with our 4-year-old son. Amazing experience. Moses and Esther were great organizing it. Each night was in a different lodge and each room was private and had 2 beds. The driver and guide for the whole trip, Frank, was extremely knowledgeable. It seemed he always knew when to go where. Highlights are that we had the closest Rhino encounters in Frank's 8 years as a driver - closest around 60 meters. Hippo right next to our car in a swap walking around, lots of tigers and some also right next to the cars. Moses speaks German which might be good to know for some travelers. Our son loved it as much as we did. Highly recommended.
  
 
       
   luis g 
 2024-07-18
 
 
 Verified Kiliclimb safaris, perfect safari in Tanzania
Incredible trip, i recomend to travel with moses and his team because they give us a confortable and incredible days on serengueti ngorongoro and tarangyre. They know all about animals and Parks, we see all animals, 2 leopards, lions feeding. Thx to moses and his team for this incredible days and experience on safari in Tanzania!!!
  
 
       
   Julien S 
 2024-07-06
 
 
 Verified Lovely experience in Tanzania
Kiliclimb was my operator to climb Kilimanjaro and to go on safari. From planning trip to our goodbyes at the airport, Moses and his team were always there to help make the best of our holidays. They made everything look very easy, provided useful advice at every stage, and made sure that our trip went as smoothly as possible. Every member of the crew that accompanied us was as professional as they were competent. Big shout out to Raymond and Stuart, our guides for the Kili, who always made sure we had everything we needed for the climb and led us all the way to the Uhuru Point. I can also underline the fact that even though we were not expecting anything fancy, the food that was prepared for us was delicious, despite the harsh conditions of the Kili. The team also carried a "private toilet" for my friend and me. At night, we had "hot water bottles" to warm our sleeping bags. Both tents and mattresses were of very high quality, allowing us comfortable nights of sleep. The transition from Kilimanjaro to safari was also very smooth and if you plan to do both, I would recommend you book the same tour operator. That would make the logistical part of your trip much easier, allowing you to store unnecessary stuff and have all transfers arranged for you. We spent an evening in Arusha, between the two acts of our journey, and Moses kindly offered to drive us around town and the best restaurant to taste local gastronomy. During the safari, Moses made sure that everything was carefully planned for us. He was very responsive throughout the whole trip, ensuring that no hurdle would stay in our way. We had the chance to saw amazing animals Bottom line, it is normal to feel a little scared when planning a trip like that. But if you are, try reaching out to Kiliclimb Africa Safaris. They'll make sure to address every doubt or question you may have before your journey. And when you'll be there, they'll make sure that your trip is exactly as you dreamed it.