Lake Natron
In the north of Tanzania, near the border with Kenya, there is a salt lake called Natron. It is located between hills caused by volcanic eruptions. Lake Natron is located at the lowest point in eastern Africa.
Lake Natron is not very deep, which does not exceed three meters. Its coastal area often changes, which is facilitated by the time of year, as well as the water level. The temperature of the waters in the lake is quite high, in some places, usually swampy, it can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius.
Lake Natron is replenished thanks to the flow of the Evaso Ngiro River, as well as hot mineral springs. Here, water evaporation processes take place at a fairly high level, which leave behind, in addition to a large amount of salt, minerals, which include sodium carbonate.
Lake Natron has places where evaporation occurs at a very rapid rate. This hearth has a dark red hue, as the microorganisms that love salt begin to bloom at this time. For the same reason, even the crust of salt on the surface of Lake Natron water is stained.
The sufficiently high water temperature in the lake, as well as its salinity, are not suitable conditions for wildlife in this area. But such a habitat is indispensable for magnificent flamingos, as well as invertebrates and fish that are adapted to salt water. Some types of algae also thrive in the waters of Lake Natron. But not all animals and birds have adapted to such conditions, many fall into the water and die, and quickly become covered with a layer of salt, forming frightening salt statues.
The warm salt water of the lake is an indispensable environment for alkaline bacteria, which are represented here in two endemic species. Lake Natron is simply an indispensable place for the population of flamingos, which are found in this area in a particularly rare form – small ones. The salty, warm environment in which these beautiful birds live and breed is not at all suitable for predatory animals that would not mind eating eggs from their nests.
The local area is not very conducive to hiking, because the surrounding area is quite dry and dusty. But travelers who still dared to take such an unusual tour will be rewarded, as only here there is an opportunity to witness such a dramatic and ominous landscape.
