Lake Natron is a highly alkaline (soda) lake in northern Tanzania, in the Ngorongoro District of Arusha Region. It lies in the Eastern (Gregory) Rift of the East African Rift System. It is fed by seasonal rivers and hot springs rich in minerals. The extreme conditions high pH (often >12), high temperatures, shallow depth make much of the lake inhospitable to most life. However, some species thrive: for example, algae and cyanobacteria which give it vivid colours; endemic alkaline fish near the hot spring inlets; and very importantly, it is one of the world’s most important breeding sites for the lesser flamingo
