Overview
Lake Natron, a salt or soda lake in Tanzania that’s known for its high alkalinity and striking red color. Located at the base of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, the lake is home to a large population of flamingos, which are well-suited to the lake’s harsh conditions. The lake’s extreme alkalinity provides a breeding ground for special bacteria and blue algae. The lake is also home to alkaline tilapias fish which live in the less salty waters at the edges of the lake’s hot springs. The lake turns a deep red color during the dry season and its chemicals preserve the remains of animals and birds that die in the water. Every year, more than two million flamingos come here to lay their eggs and chicks hatch between September and April because of safety as most other animals find the lake’s caustic environment and high temperatures as well as its high salinity uninhabitable. The lake therefore provides a good barrier against predators trying to reach nests on seasonal evaporation islands.
