¯

Key Facts about Lake Natron

Jan. 16, 2026

Lake Natron in Tanzania glows blood-red, forged by volcanoes and extreme chemistry.

About Lake Natron:

  • It is located in the Arusha region of Northern Tanzania.
  • It is a soda and salty water lake very close to the Kenyan border in the Gregory Rift, which is the eastern part of the East African Rift.
  • It was designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2001.
  • Primarily, the lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the central region of Kenya.
  • One of the most striking features of this lake is its striking red coloration. The primary reason for its hue lies in its extreme alkalinity.
  • As water cannot flow out of the lake, evaporation levels are very high, and this leaves behind natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate).
  • The high concentration of natron gives the lake extreme alkaline levels, and it is one of the deadliest lakes on the planet.
  • The saline waters make the lake inhospitable for many plants and animals, yet the surrounding saltwater marshes are a surprising habitat for flamingos.
  • In fact, the lake is home to the highest concentrations of lesser and greater flamingos in East Africa, where they feed on spirulina – a green algae with red pigments.

Latest Current Affairs

See All

Enquire Now