The geography of Lake Natron

an incredible multi-colour soda lake with flamingos

Another highlight is Lake Natron itself, a vast multi-coloured soda lake at the foot of the escarpment. With the possible exception of Lake Turkana in the extreme north of Kenya, Natron is perhaps the most dramatic of all the Rift Valley lakes.

The lake has a surface area of around 1300 square kilometres and has no outlet other than by evaporation. Only about 400mm of rain falls in this area, much of which falls as ‘phantom rain’, a phenomenon by which the raindrops evaporate before they even hit the highly reflective surface of the lake. The evaporation rate has been calculated as being eight times the rainfall rate, the difference being made up by inflow from various seasonal streams and soda springs along the base of the escarpment.

The lake is highly alkaline, with high concentrations of soda and magnesite leached from the surrounding volcanic rocks and lava flows. It is highly corrosive and generally unable to sustain life. Notable exceptions to this are the various types of microscopic diatom algae which thrive in this harsh environment, which in turn provide sustenance for several hundred thousand lesser flamingos, for whom this is the most important breeding site worldwide. By the way, apparently flamingos stand on one leg in order to let half of their brain sleep.

The lake is best appreciated from the air, when its full extent and the wonderful patterns and colours that cover its surface can be seen properly. But at present there are no companies offering scenic flights of this type other than by expensive private charter. The majority of visitors experience this aspect of the lake from the top of the rift valley escarpment, which is a pretty good alternative to flying, the views are extraordinary.

There is also some really interesting geology of this remarkable area, the obvious volcanic activity, incredible land formations and remarkable mineral outcrops.