Tanzania is one of the most fascinating places on the planet, and that is because it is home to Lake Natron, a place as deadly as it is captivating. Its waters, tinted a deep red, not only “mummify” animals that fall on its shores, but also host millions of flamingos! Life thrives in the most hostile environments, and we find that incredibly wonderful…
But of course, you’re probably wondering why we said Lake Natron is a dangerous place… That’s what we’re here for: to tell you why it’s a hostile location but also a paradise. Ready to read?
Natron: the red hell
You’ve surely seen thousands of photos of this place, and we won’t deny it’s very special. During the summer and autumn seasons, the so-called dry periods, the waters of Lake Natron turn red or pink. This striking colour comes from millions of extremophile microorganisms (like spirulina) that not only survive but thrive in this extreme environment. Their pigmentation is also reflected in the pink feathers of the flamingos that feed on these algae.
Boiling and caustic water
Conditions in the lake are truly extreme: temperatures exceed 60 degrees Celsius and the pH is 10.5, similar to bleach! This corrosive environment makes the lake dangerous for almost any living being… except for organisms that have evolved to survive here, which we find incredible.
The kingdom of flamingos
Despite its lethal nature, Lake Natron is the perfect place for flamingos to raise their chicks. Yes, they survive in this environment! The combination of extreme heat, salinity, and the natural toxicity of the water creates a natural barrier against predators (no lions, no jackals, and especially no humans!!), allowing thousands of flamingos to build their nests on small mounds of hardened mud.
So, take note: three out of every four flamingos in the world are born here! It’s an impressive sight: thousands of birds filling the sky and transforming a hostile landscape into a spectacle of life and colour.
The legend of the salt mummies
Legend has it that Lake Natron turns animals into stone, like Medusa! Well, it’s a real story (although not magical), and we’re going to tell it to you. When birds or other animals accidentally fall into its waters, the alkaline minerals coat their bodies. They are preserved as natural sculptures, like statues, because they become petrified with their wings extended, and they don’t dissolve! Life and death here are separated by a very thin line.
An ecosystem under threat
The perfect balance of Natron is at risk. Dam construction and mineral exploitation projects threaten to alter its salinity and water level. Even small changes could endanger this delicate sanctuary of flamingos and microorganisms.
Just a few kilometres from this lake stands Ol Doinyo Lengai (The Mountain of God) of the Maasai people, an active volcano that releases black lava when it flows and white lava when it cools (natrocarbonatite), and of course, the mystical combination is served
International protection
Despite the harshness of this lake, it is not safe, and that is why the government of Tanzania included the lake on the Ramsar list of wetlands in 2001, granting it international recognition. However, conservationists warn that much more needs to be done to ensure its protection.
A natural laboratory for extreme life
For scientists, Lake Natron is a window into possible life on other worlds. If life can thrive here, it could also exist in hostile environments like those of Mars or the icy moons of Jupiter.
Despite its difficult access, Natron attracts adventurers and photographers looking to capture its Martian beauty. The combination of surreal landscape and unique wildlife leaves a lasting impression on everyone who dares to visit.
Red and dangerous, a natural wonder where death lurks, but life arrives with pink wings. Incredible!