Introduction
The lakes of Tanzania are varied in what they offer the potential visitor. On soda lakes like Lake Manyara and Lake Natron, wildlife gather on the desolate salt flats and shimmering views remind one of a lunar landscape which at sunset descends into shades of various pastels. The soda lakes are alkaline and brackish, home to large populations of pink flamingos, storks, and herons. Bird-watching and game viewing are popular activities, but must be done from a distance as the soda flats along the lake shore are difficult to walk or drive in. Still, a visit to the soda lakes of Tanzania is an unforgettable experience. Game still thrive along their unpopulated shores and the sheer ethereal beauty of the water, coloured silver and white by the mineral deposits, is an unforgettable part of the African experience.
Towns and industry take full advantage of the freshwater lakes in the region, the largest of which is Lake Victoria to the northwest of the country. Fishing has long been a mainstay of residents who live around the natural resources, and transport across Tanzania’s many African borders is also an economically profitable activity. Because of the easy supply of freshwater irrigation, Tanzanians also farm the areas around freshwater lakes extensively, and both subsistence and cash crops are grown around their shores.
Visitors to the freshwater lakes can embark on fishing trips, hikes, swim, and enjoy the rich bird and fish life that surrounds the water. In many populated areas, cultural tourism programs are also popular.
The lakes of Tanzania are varied in what they offer the potential visitor. On soda lakes like Lake Manyara and Lake Natron, wildlife gather on the desolate salt flats and shimmering views remind one of a lunar landscape which at sunset descends into shades of various pastels. The soda lakes are alkaline and brackish, home to large populations of pink flamingos, storks, and herons. Bird-watching and game viewing are popular activities, but must be done from a distance as the soda flats along the lake shore are difficult to walk or drive in. Still, a visit to the soda lakes of Tanzania is an unforgettable experience. Game still thrive along their unpopulated shores and the sheer ethereal beauty of the water, coloured silver and white by the mineral deposits, is an unforgettable part of the African experience.
Towns and industry take full advantage of the freshwater lakes in the region, the largest of which is Lake Victoria to the northwest of the country. Fishing has long been a mainstay of residents who live around the natural resources, and transport across Tanzania’s many African borders is also an economically profitable activity. Because of the easy supply of freshwater irrigation, Tanzanians also farm the areas around freshwater lakes extensively, and both subsistence and cash crops are grown around their shores.
Visitors to the freshwater lakes can embark on fishing trips, hikes, swim, and enjoy the rich bird and fish life that surrounds the water. In many populated areas, cultural tourism programs are also popular.
Lake Eyasi
The Lake Eyasi area is hot and dry, located on the floor of the East African Rift Valley and the Kidero Mountains. An escarpment rises to the north into the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area while a salt or “soda” lake lies on the valley floor. The region is especially suited to exploring on foot and we do this with our local guides.
It’s here that the Wahadzabe tribe lives, some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the continent. This dwindling population of hunter-gatherers still maintain their thousand year old traditions, albeit with great difficulty. Another interesting tribe in the area is the Datoga. These are the last remaining tribes of bushmen in East Africa. A visit to this “primitive” tribe is an interesting learning experience and we can spend the day observing their ways.
The Lake Eyasi area is hot and dry, located on the floor of the East African Rift Valley and the Kidero Mountains. An escarpment rises to the north into the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area while a salt or “soda” lake lies on the valley floor. The region is especially suited to exploring on foot and we do this with our local guides.
It’s here that the Wahadzabe tribe lives, some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the continent. This dwindling population of hunter-gatherers still maintain their thousand year old traditions, albeit with great difficulty. Another interesting tribe in the area is the Datoga. These are the last remaining tribes of bushmen in East Africa. A visit to this “primitive” tribe is an interesting learning experience and we can spend the day observing their ways.
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is located in the southwest of Ngorongoro Conservation Area , as other people call it Maasai land and northern Maasai Steppe (Tarangire). It is a soda lake with extreme alkalinity since some of its water leaks through the lava flow of the nearby active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. Ol Donyo being South of the active volcano while Serengeti National Park in the west above the rift valley escarpment. At times, there are several hundred thousand flamingos on and near the lake making for a wonderful spectacle.
Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos in the world. The vast area of the northern Maasai Steppe is famous for its great concentrations of Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Grant's and Thompson's Gazelle, Fringe-eared Oryx, Coke's Hartebeest, White-bearded Wildebeest.
The weather is significantly hotter here then at most other northern Tanzania destinations but the scenery is striking and unlike anywhere else. Most visits to Lake Natron include a brief visit to Engaruka Ruins: a mysterious complex of stone ruins, consisting of 7 abandoned villages with an astoundingly complex irrigation system of canals and damns that supported 5000 people. Little is known of Engaruka's original inhabitants and archeologists are still puzzled.
Lake Natron is located in the southwest of Ngorongoro Conservation Area , as other people call it Maasai land and northern Maasai Steppe (Tarangire). It is a soda lake with extreme alkalinity since some of its water leaks through the lava flow of the nearby active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. Ol Donyo being South of the active volcano while Serengeti National Park in the west above the rift valley escarpment. At times, there are several hundred thousand flamingos on and near the lake making for a wonderful spectacle.
Lake Natron is one of the most important breeding grounds for flamingos in the world. The vast area of the northern Maasai Steppe is famous for its great concentrations of Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Grant's and Thompson's Gazelle, Fringe-eared Oryx, Coke's Hartebeest, White-bearded Wildebeest.
The weather is significantly hotter here then at most other northern Tanzania destinations but the scenery is striking and unlike anywhere else. Most visits to Lake Natron include a brief visit to Engaruka Ruins: a mysterious complex of stone ruins, consisting of 7 abandoned villages with an astoundingly complex irrigation system of canals and damns that supported 5000 people. Little is known of Engaruka's original inhabitants and archeologists are still puzzled.
Lake Eyasi
The Lake Eyasi area is hot and dry, located on the floor of the East African Rift Valley and the Kidero Mountains. An escarpment rises to the north into the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area while a salt or “soda” lake lies on the valley floor. The region is especially suited to exploring on foot and we do this with our local guides.
It’s here that the Wahadzabe tribe lives, some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the continent. This dwindling population of hunter-gatherers still maintain their thousand year old traditions, albeit with great difficulty. Another interesting tribe in the area is the Datoga. These are the last remaining tribes of bushmen in East Africa. A visit to this “primitive” tribe is an interesting learning experience and we can spend the day observing their ways.
The Lake Eyasi area is hot and dry, located on the floor of the East African Rift Valley and the Kidero Mountains. An escarpment rises to the north into the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area while a salt or “soda” lake lies on the valley floor. The region is especially suited to exploring on foot and we do this with our local guides.
It’s here that the Wahadzabe tribe lives, some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the continent. This dwindling population of hunter-gatherers still maintain their thousand year old traditions, albeit with great difficulty. Another interesting tribe in the area is the Datoga. These are the last remaining tribes of bushmen in East Africa. A visit to this “primitive” tribe is an interesting learning experience and we can spend the day observing their ways.
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