Lake Natron

Where the Earth Glows Red and a Million Flamingos Are Born

From crimson soda flats to the only volcano on Earth that erupts cold black lava.

The Overview

Tucked into the Gregory Rift on Tanzania's northern frontier, Lake Natron is one of Africa's most otherworldly landscapes. Its shallow, mineral-saturated water glows crimson and orange — coloured by salt-loving microorganisms — beneath the brooding cone of Ol Doinyo Lengai. Remote, raw and astonishingly beautiful, it is a destination for travellers who want something far beyond the classic game park.

What to Expect

This is a place of extremes. The water can reach a pH above 12 and temperatures near 60°C, yet it cradles the most important breeding colony of lesser flamingos on the planet. Days are spent walking the soda flats with a Maasai guide, hiking to hidden waterfalls, and — for the adventurous — summiting an active volcano under the stars.

Where Wildlife Meets Landscape

Few sights rival a horizon turned pink by hundreds of thousands of flamingos rising off red water. Pair that with a gorge walk to the Ngare Sero falls, ancient human footprints fossilised in volcanic ash, and warm Maasai hospitality, and Natron becomes the wild, photogenic counterpoint to a northern Tanzania safari.