Lake Natron, what a unique place!

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Let’s fly to Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most famous game drive locations of Tanzania. And from here to the border with Kenya, to explore a very special and remote area: the Lake Natron, not far from the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai.

If you have the chance, don’t miss a visit to one of the most fascinating corners of the World, even though well off the beaten tracks. Its water can reach temperatures up to 60 °C and has an alkalinity between pH 9 and pH 10.5. Unlike the major lands of Tanzania, this environment is not suitable for most of the species.

The chemical composition and the geological setting of this place, on the other hand, are the cause of some phenomena that you can see walking nearby the lake.

Most of predators cannot survive there, but this is the reason why other species settled in this area – such as flamingos returning yearly for the breeding season. The hot and salty water doesn’t harm them, but it keeps their enemies away.

The hot and salty water can be home for creatures, such as cyanobacteria that are typical here, and this is the reason why the lake looks red in some areas. Other flora growing in the Lake Natron is Spirulina, an algae which is food for flamingos.

Thousands pink flamingos, corners where the water is red and minerals are the main actors on the scene… landscape and atmosphere are very unusual here, and this is one of the reasons why it is worthing a trip, if you want to be surprised!

Exploring the lakes of Tanzania

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Many travel routes in Tanzania are not so obvious... this is why we are here, and today we want to talk about something different from the classic safaris and beach holidays.

With this short guide, we want to introduce the many and different lakes that you can visit in Tanzania. Some of them are very famous and right along the most famous itineraries; others are off the beaten tracks... and are amazing surprises as well!  

Lake Victoria 

 

The most famous lake of Tanzania is the Lake Victoria, with its extension of 68.870 km2 and belonging also to Kenya and Uganda. It is the largest lake in Africa. It is mainly a "water crossroad" important for transport services and economic activities - not a typical destination for travelers, but still it there is something to say about.

One amazing tourism spot is a good reason to go there: Rubondo Island National Park, a small protected area along south-west coast... a real hidden paradise! Another chance to enjoy Lake Victoria is to spend one or more days before or after a safari in Northern Serengeti near Mwanza or on the suggestive Lukuba Island, 13 km offshore Musoma, Mara Region.

Lake Tanganyika 

In Tanzania there is also the second largest lake of Africa, the Lake Tanganyika. Its area is shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.

Very important for economic and strategic reasons, it is as well an area rarely visited by tourists. As first it is not very easy to reach, but it becomes a good choice in an itinerary that includes Mahale Mountain National Park, that is known especially for the possibility of tracking chimps.

Not everybody know, but here it is also possible to organize activities on the lake, like fishing and diving. So, why not?

Lake Niassa  

A small part of Lake Niassa (widely known as Lake Malawi) belongs to Tanzania. While the Malawian part is a famous destination for tourism, the Tanzanian side is less known. But still, it offers the chance of discovering amazing places: one for all, Matama Beach.

Lakes Natron and Eyasi

Smaller, but often included in itineraries across the Northern Circuit, the Lake Natron, Eyasi and Manyara are destinations that we highly recommend to visit.

Lake Natron can be a good option for a "break" during a wildlife safari in the most popular national parks. In this area it is possible to have amazing trekking around the lakes, to Ngare Sero Falls or to Ol Donyo Lengai.

Another famous area in Northern Tanzania is the Lake Eyasi, a seasonal salty lake that is home for Hadzabe, one of the last tribe of hunters. Here it is also possible to visit Datoga people and have a complete cultural experience.

Lake Manyara 

The most visited lake during a wildlife safari in Tanzania? The Lake Manyara indeed, part of the national park with the same name. Visiting this area is considered one of the best "appetizers" to start your safari the best way possible.

This is also the area where you can spot the climbing-tree lions. A real unique place in the world!