The lake’s excessive salinity makes it impossible for most animal species to thrive, with the exception of minor pink flamingos (lesser flamingo), which gather here every year between August and October in huge flocks (there are about 2.5 million of them) and nest. The reason for this is because the waters of Lake Natron are formed by some underground springs originating from Ol Doinyo Lengai with very high levels of salinity, and also due to low rainfalls of under 400 mm per year, which is insufficient to compensate for the high evaporation caused by the heat. Its size, like its colour, also varies greatly throughout the year, with its water shrinking so much during the dry season that it reveals large areas of soil covered with a thick salt crust. It is a 60 km long alkaline lake, located north-east of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with shades ranging from white to pink and brown, depending on the time of year, offering one of the most beautiful views during safaris in Tanzania. Lake Natron, with the nearby Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, is a pristine, rugged and particularly fascinating place that offers you the chance to experience enchanting excursions outside the most touristic routes.

Lake natron flamingo