The Great Rift Valley, Lake Natron, and Ol Doinyo Lengai
The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Mozambique, covering about 5600km.
The valley is formed by two tectonic plates moving apart, causing the valley floor to drop, leaving intact and fragmented valley walls or escarpments.
The prominent escarpment in this area lies to the west. Volcanoes and craters of different ages are scattered around the valley.
Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God) is the only active volcano in Tanzania.
Volcanism around the Great Rift Valley produces soda (Sodium Carbonate), which is washed down by rain and groundwater.
Lake Natron is at the lowest point of the East African valley, at an elevation of 600m (2,000 ft) above sea level.
Here, the water evaporates, leaving behind very high concentrations of soda. Algae and zooplankton thrive in this water, which in turn supports great numbers of flamingos.
The combination of remoteness and the hostility of the soda mud flats provides the flamingos with a relatively safe area to breed and rear chicks.
The lake is also surrounded by scattered springs, some of which are fresh enough to provide drinking water for many species of animals, large and small.
Lake Natron Camp is located at one of these springs.
You will be staying in a truly ancient and unique environment where humans may have evolved.
The Great Rift Valley, Lake Natron, and Ol Doinyo Lengai
