Lake Natron Phenomenon - the beauty and horror of tanzania's wildlife

Lake Natron (Lake Natron) is translated as "red", because of its special color, which is given to it by certain microorganisms that appear when salinity and alkalinity increase excessively. The main such organism is cyanobacteria, a tiny bacterium that, like plants, absorbs light through photosynthesis. As a result, from the accumulated photons, the pigmentation of this amazing bacterium changes towards red color, and millions of bacteria of the cyano species formed in the alkali of Lake Natron give a deep red color to all water surfaces. Only in shallow water, where these bacteria are slightly less, the water is no longer bright red, but orange. This is truly a miracle canvas of nature, painted by a local God named Lengai, the progenitor of all that exists on Earth among the Masai tribes.

An airplane casts a shadow on the bright red surface of Lake Natron in Tanzania. Unusual color - the result of the vital activity of microorganisms. Photo credit: George Steinmetz.

dead lake Natron is located in northern Tanzania on the border with Kenya. This salt Lake has a shallow depth - a maximum of 3 meters, and constantly changes its coastline depending on the season and water level. The water temperature in the wetlands can reach 50 degrees Celsius, and depending on the water level, the alkalinity can reach a pH of 9 to 10.5. Dead Lake Natron is covered with a crust of salt that periodically turns red and pink. This is the result of the vital activity of microorganisms that live in the lake.

The lake is located in one of the most active volcanic zones in the world, constantly in motion - this is the area of ​​​​the Great Rift Fault north of the Ngorongoro Crater and Empakai. Along with Lake Eyasi, located southeast of the Ngorongoro Protected Zone, and Lake Rukwa in western Tanzania, Lake Natron is one of the unique alkaline lakes in the world, predominantly consisting of salt and soda. A similar chemical interaction of underground flows, water and air is a specific microclimate around these reservoirs. The landscape itself is also subject to change. First of all, because of the evaporation that turns the shores of the lake into a petrified salted white desert.

The total area of ​​the reserve is 700 sq. km.

It is here, not far from this dead sea» Tanzania is one of the sacred places Ancient Africa- Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, which in translation from the language of the Masai tribe means "Mountain of the Gods" or "Mountain of Spirits". This volcano is today one of the "LIVING WONDERS OF TANZANIA", which you can read more about in the fascinating article "Why Tanzania's Volcanoes Don't Sleep?".

According to some reports, Ol Doinyo Lengai in last time I woke up in October 2008 and never got back to sleep. According to the latest data, the volcanic eruption was also observed in 2010, which is apparently caused by the growing discontent of the "gods living in the crater of the volcano."

One of the main reasons for their dissatisfaction could be an active discussion of the construction of a soda processing plant on the shores of Lake Natron - right at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai. The second reason could be plans to build a hydroelectric power station at the northern end of the lake, which would provoke a change in the alkaline balance in the lake.

Be that as it may, the Natron Lake Reserve, which includes sacred mountain is increasingly exposed to the external influence of large companies, which violates the peace zone and can provoke, according to the Masai shamans, the “wrath of the gods” Ol Donyo Lengai.

There are many articles on the Internet on this topic, many tell about the inevitable death after touching the surface of the lake. But actually it is not. Millions of flamingos live here. And the lake is the only breeding area for the 2.5 million endangered Lesser Flamingos that live in the valley.

These flamingos congregate along salt lakes in areas where they feed on Spirulina (blue-green algae with red pigments). Lake Natron is the only breeding ground for the Lesser Flamingo because its caustic environment acts as a barrier against predators trying to reach the nests of these birds. Temperatures in wetlands can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), and depending on rainfall, alkalinity can reach a pH of 9 to 10.5 (almost as alkaline as ammonia).

In 1962, due to heavy rains there was a flood. According to experts, more than a million eggs were destroyed.

There are two endemic species of alkaline telapia in the lake - Alcolapia latilabris and Alcolapia ndalalani. The species Alcolapia alcalica is also present in the lake, but it is not endemic.

Threats to salinity balance from increased freshwater inflows come from the projected flooding watersheds of Lake Natron and planned hydroelectric operation. While development plans include building a dam at the north end of the lake to contain fresh water, the threat of dissolution still be serious.

A new threat to Lake Natron is the development of a soda processing plant on the shores of the lake. The plant pumps water from the lake and then chemically extracts the sodium carbonate to convert it into washing powder for export. Also, housing for more than 1,000 workers was built near the plant, and coal was brought to the power plant to provide energy for the entire plant complex.

Because of its unique biodiversity, Tanzania has named the Lake Natron Basin to the List of Wetlands. international importance— Ramsar, July 4, 2001.

The hunting grounds within the Lake Natron Conservation Area are located on its northern and southern borders and are referred to as the Lake Natron South Game Control Area and Lake Natron North Game Control Area, respectively.

The southern hunting grounds of the reserve are located north of Arusha in the famous Maasai Steppe, spread over 1500 sq. km. To the west they border the Ngorongoro Protected Area, and to the north and east they border Kenya and Lake Natron, respectively. These areas are home to two permanent luxury campsites and two adventure fly camps. The demi-season camp "Kiserian adventure camp" offers accommodation in a valley with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and excellent opportunities for hunting Grant and Thompson's gazelle and in the very north protected area- on gerenuk and lesser kudu.

Not less than great place to observe the life of the Maasai lands, is the luxurious Kitumbeine luxury base camp, located at the Kitumbeine mountain of the same name (2800 meters), where savannah acacias grow. The camp is located at the foot of this mountain and offers panoramas of indescribable beauty overlooking the mountain ranges of the Great Rift Fault and the white smoking cap still active volcano Olduvai. Here are some of the most the best places for hunting oryx, mountain buffalo and large leopard.

Northern hunting grounds (Lake Natron North Game Control Area) 0 are much more extensive. They run along the border of Tanzania and Kenya, to the east of Lake Natron itself, where they rise mountain ranges Great Rift Rift, covered with a dense array of mixed rainforest, where they were preserved in in large numbers mountain buffaloes are a special trophy of Masailand. You can stay in one of two mobile hunting camps, which will be delivered along with provisions by plane from Arusha or Kilimanjaro.

Here is the most wild and untrampled by man terrain than in the south. That is why the villages of the original African Masai tribe here seem to fit especially organically into the landscape of the Lake Natron reserve. This is one of the best places for photo safari. Just imagine the red expanse of water with the same red haze in which thousands of small flamingos drown on the horizon, coloring their wings in orange and pink hues as if involuntarily.

Here it is allowed to hunt typical representatives of the fauna of Masailand: mountain buffalo (buffalo), bushpig or bard hog, leopard, lion, hyena, jackal, white antelope, savannah zebra, small cats (caracal, genet, kivet, serval and wild cat), small antelopes (dikdika, duiker and Steinbeck's antelope), medium antelopes (gerenuk, lesser kudu, East African bushbuck, impala) and Thompson's, Grant's, Robert's and mountain reedbook gazelles.

Among the allowed game species, large antelopes are also available: oryx, patterson and large kudu. It is also possible to hunt for feathered inhabitants of the northern forests of the Natron Lake Reserve. Among local population the Masai are especially valued for grouse, pigeon and quail meat.

How to get there

The roads to the lake are quite broken, and basically you can only get through Arusha or Lake Manyara Park (5-6 hours). But, nevertheless, the local route is one of the most difficult compared to others. tourist areas. An alternative "route" of the safari trophy to the lake passes through the eastern corridor of the Serengeti - Loliondo.

Things to do

Watch flocks of flamingos on Lake Natron, climb to the coldest active crater in the world - Ol Donyo Lengai, arrange an antelope safari.

On the territory of Tanzania there is a reservoir containing substances that contribute to the petrification of creatures that died next to it. The lake is located in one of the most active volcanic zones on the planet, constantly in motion - in the Great Rift Fault north of the Empakai crater.

The rich blood-red hue of the lake, formed by the microorganisms living in it, is an elusive warning to all living things that have invaded its possessions. Closer to the coast, the water becomes bright orange, as the concentration of bacteria there is much lower. There are also rare places where the water is still its natural color.

The evaporation of the lake scares off large predators, so it serves as a refuge for many small animals and a huge number of birds. Here they live, breed and die, but after death their bodies do not decompose, but are mummified.

Photographer and writer Nick Brandt captured the aftermath of a rare chemical phenomenon in Lake Natron in his book Through the Tortured Land. In order to clearly demonstrate his vision of what is happening, the author decided to take photographs of the victims of the anomalous reservoir found on its banks. All the creatures were located in natural positions for their past life, which made his work even more terrifying, and the gray tones of the photographs seemed to emphasize the transience of life.

According to Nick, the pH of water, which ranges from 9 to 10.5, and the increased level of alkalinity contribute to excessive excretion of soda, salt and lime. This is what causes the effect of petrification.

African shamans from the Masai tribe call Lake Natron a canvas that was created by the gods who live in the sacred volcano Ol Donyo Lengai, at the foot of which there is a reservoir. The name of the volcano in translation from their language sounds like "Mountain of Spirits". When the local tribes heard that people were thinking of building a salt processing plant here, they said that outsiders should not provoke the gods, so as not to incur their wrath.

You can see more photos of this place in ours.

Video - Deadly Lake Natron

• Location: northern Tanzania, Arusha region
• Square: 1040 sq. km
• Height above sea level: 800 m
• Length: 57 km
• Width: 22 km
• Depth: up to 3 m

In the north of the African country, on the border with Kenya, is located unique lake- Natron. Every year it attracts many tourists who come here to admire its unusual view, reminiscent of a surreal alien landscape. So, let's find out what is the secret of the red waters of the lake and why the inhabitants of the surrounding villages avoid this area.

Lake Natron phenomenon

Lake Natron is very shallow (its depth varies from 1.5 to 3 m), so it warms up to 50 and even 60°C. The content of sodium salts in the waters of the lake is so high that a film forms on its surface, and in the hottest months (February and March), even the water becomes viscous because of this. These conditions favor the activity of the halophilic cyanobacteria that live in Lake Natron, due to the pigment of which the water has a blood-red color. However, the shade of the water changes depending on the time of year and depth - the lake can be orange or pinkish, and sometimes looks like an ordinary body of water.

But the most interesting and exciting fact is that the waters of Natron carry a real danger. Due to the high level of alkali, salt-laden water causes severe burns if a person, animal or bird dives into the lake. It was here that many birds found their death. Subsequently, their bodies harden and mummify, becoming covered with mineral substances. Photographer Nick Brandt found many of these bird remains here while collecting material for his book Through the Tortured Land. His photographs, which glorified this body of water throughout the world, became the basis of a legend that says that Lake Natron turns animals into stone.

Only a few species of animals can live here. For example, in summer time, during the mating season, thousands of small flamingos fly to the lake. They make nests on rocks and even islands of salt, and the temperature environment allows birds to breed without problems under the protection of the lake. Random predators do not wander here, frightened off by an unpleasant smell emanating from the lake.

As for people, the Salei tribe from the Maasai clan living by the lake are real natives. They have been living here for many hundreds of years, militantly guarding their territory, which they use as pastures. By the way, the remains of Homo Sapiens, which had lain in the ground for more than 30 thousand years, were found in this area. Apparently, it is not for nothing that the African continent is considered the birthplace of man.

How to get to Lake Natron in Tanzania?

No separate trips are organized to Lake Natron. Get to it unique place There are two ways: either during the tour to the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, or on your own by renting an SUV in Arusha. However, keep in mind that an individual visit, firstly, will cost you more, and secondly, it will be very risky without a guide or guide from among the locals.

Lake Natron- a salt lake located in the vast African Great Rift Valley - in the north of Tanzania, not far from the border with Kenya and just northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater. Tucked between volcanic hills and deep craters, Lake Natron is at its lowest point rift valley- at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level - and, perhaps, is the most alkaline reservoir in the world.

Dangerous Lake Natron in Tanzania

The climate in the area where the lake is located is harsh - it is hot here, often very dry air and dust, which does not contribute to tourist trips. But those who dare to make a trip to Lake Natron are rewarded with stunning views in Tanzania.

1. Home distinguishing feature lakes - this is its extremely unusual bright red color of the water. But it doesn't always look like that.

2. quite shallow (its depth is not more than 3 meters) and changes the coastline depending on the water level, which changes due to strong evaporation, leaving concentrations of salts and other minerals, especially sodium carbonate (or, in fact, natron).

3. Feeds the river Iwaso Nyiro (“River of brown water” translated from the language of the Samburu tribe) and mineral-rich hot springs.

4. With strong evaporation, a crust of alkaline salt forms on the surface of the lake, which also often turns red or pink as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms living in the lake.

5 As the water evaporates during the dry season, the salinity of the lake increases to the point where the micro-organisms living in it - salt lovers - begin to multiply violently.

6. These organisms that live in high salinity conditions - halophilic cyanobacteria - have the ability to photosynthesize, just like plants. During photosynthesis, a red pigment is released, which gives it a bright red color. deep water and orange more shallow.

7. The high temperature of the water (up to 41°C) and the high and very diverse salt content in the lake does not contribute to the development of wildlife in it. However, the lake is a habitat for millions of flamingos, as well as a home for algae, invertebrates, and at the edges, where the water is less salty - even fish - alkaline telapia.

8. Natron is the only breeding site in East Africa for the endangered lesser flamingo. Lake - safe place breeding, as its poisonous alkaline environment is an obstacle for predators trying to get close to nests located on seasonally formed islands as a result of evaporation.

9. Flamingos gather on the salt lakes of the region, where they feed on spirulina (blue-green algae with red pigments).

There are other things in Africa unusual lake — .

Lake Natron photo

The lifeless landscapes of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania resemble surreal alien landscapes. A lake covered with a crust of salt can change color throughout the year. As a result of the vital activity of microorganisms - halophilic cyanobacteria living in Natron, the water acquires juicy reddish and pinkish shades several times a year. When the temperature rises, the bacteria release a red pigment, coloring the lake.

The concentration of salt and alkali in Lake Natron is so strong that animals and birds that accidentally fall into the water die and become mummified. The exception is small flamingos: for these birds, ideal conditions for breeding are created here. High water temperatures, reaching 50 ° C in wetlands, allow flamingos to hatch eggs at any time of the year. And the unpleasant smell emanating from the lake scares off predators and prevents them from getting close to the nests.

Another amazing natural phenomenon can be observed on Lake Natron in February and March. The concentration of sodium carbonate in the hottest months of the year increases so much that the water in the lake becomes viscous.

Airplane view of Lake Natron // Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH, Shutterstock

Swimming in Lake Natron is not worth it. Any contact with alkaline water threatens with burns and swelling of the skin - it is better not to risk it. However, from one glance at the skeletons of animals and birds scattered around the lake and their calcareous mummies, it will become clear that it is better not to get close to Natron.

It is worth planning a few days for a trip to Lake Natron. You can spend the night in campsites located near the natural attraction. It is not necessary to book accommodation in advance. Hotels in Arusha are possible.

A trip to Lake Natron can be combined with climbing the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano - one of the most active in East Africa. It is located nearby.

How to get there

The city of Arusha, closest to Lake Natron, is located 240 kilometers to the southeast. bus service connects Arusha with the cities of Tanzania - Dodoma (420 kilometers; travel time - 6 hours), Dar es Salaam (640 kilometers; travel time - 9 hours) and others. You can also get to Arusha by bus from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya; the journey takes 4 hours. There is no rail service in this part of Africa.

Kilimanjaro International Airport is located 50 kilometers east of Arusha. Air communication connects the airport with Amsterdam, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Zanzibar, Kigali - the capital of Rwanda, and Addis Ababa - the capital of Ethiopia.

There are no organized excursions from Arusha to Lake Natron. Usually a visit to this natural attraction is included in tours to the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano. Because The best way get directly - rent an SUV and hire a guide in one of travel agencies Arushi. Individual program will cost more standard tour- an average of a third. It is not worth going to Natron without a local guide.

Location

Lake Natron is located on the territory of the East African Rift Valley, in the Arusha region, in the north, on the border with.