Tanzania 2017 (part VI): Lake Natron

Lake Natron, Tanzania:

Ol Doinyo Lengai dominates the plains around Lake Natron

After leaving the Serengeti National Park, we went on the really long drive across the Loliondo Game Controlled Area to Lake Natron.

While the air was fresh and surprisingly cool in the Serengeti, it became more and more hot the closer we came to Lake Natron. This alkaline lake attracts millions of flamingos feeding on algae growing in the otherwise inhospitable environment. The almost desertlike landscape surrounding the lake is dominated by the impressive Ol Doinyo Lengai. This active volcano is a holy mountain for the Maasai and uniquely ejects natrocarbonatite lava. During my stay, I went on two beautiful walks – towards a water fall and to the lake edge to see the flamingos (including a stop at the recently discovered Engare Sero footprints). In between I enjoyed the diverse bird life in the beautiful Lake Natron Tented Camp.

driving through the Loliondo Game Controlled Area

sausage tree

driving through the Loliondo Game Controlled Area

Grey-headed Kingfisher

driving through the Loliondo Game Controlled Area

first glimpse of Lake Natron in the distance

Gelai Volcano and Ol Doinyo Lengai

Lake Natron

Ol Doinyo Lengai

driving towards Lake Natron

view towards Gelai Volcano

Great White Egret

marshland

village at Lake Natron

Ol Doinyo Lengai

Lake Natron Tented Camp

Grey-headed Kingfisher

White-browed Sparrow-Weavers

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

White-throated Bee-eaters

White-throated Bee-eater

on the Saitoti River Trail

small waterfall

on the Saitoti River Trail

big waterfall

on the Saitoti River Trail

Maasai

Spotted Morning-Thrush

Rufous Chatterer

White-throated Bee-eater

African Paradise-flycatcher

Black-throated Barbet

Giraffe in front of Ol Doinyo Lengai

Giraffes

Giraffe

Namaqua Dove

Engare Sero footprints (5000-19000 years old)

Engare Sero footprint (5000-19000 years old)

traces of a cow (5000-19000 years old)

Ol Doinyo Lengai with starved wildebeest

Lesser Flamingos

Ol Doinyo Lengai

Lesser Flamingos

view across the mudflats at Lake Natron

Ol Doinyo Lengai

starved zebra

Ol Doinyo Lengai

Eastern Chanting-Goshawk

small crater east of Ol Doinyo Lengai

After two nights at Lake Natron, I continued my journey south towards Lake Manyara National Park.

6 responses to “Tanzania 2017 (part VI): Lake Natron”

Wow… what an incredible series…

Great diversity and the mountain shots are my favorite ones…

It’s always great to see the map along with the notes to get an idea about the location.

Thank you so much for sharing and have a beautiful day 🙂

wildlifeweeks April 22, 2018 at 5:38 pm · · Reply →

thank you so much for your comment! I am very happy that you like the post… I had a great time in Tanzania and this blog helps me to remember everything myself… if other people enjoy it too – even better! 😊
- Sreejith Nair April 23, 2018 at 3:06 am · ·
  
  Of course it’s really enjoyable and informative for all of us 🙂
  
  I too started my blog as an archive of my travel stories but now a days, due to time constraints, it’s more like a photo blog 🙂

Thanks so much for the vicarious visit to Tanzania, Matthias. Aside from my home country, Tanzania is my favorite place in the world. So rich with wildlife and beauty. Your photos were a real treat, great to see the flamingos, giraffe, Maasai, and many birds. How fortunate you got to see the male African paradise flycatcher. Great to see the foot prints too, what a treat! Great post, thank you.

wildlifeweeks April 25, 2018 at 10:09 am · · Reply →

thank you so much for your comment – makes me happy that you like the post so much and that you took the time to check it all out! I really had a fantastic time in Tanzania and wish I could see more of this beautiful country!!!