The Mysterious Red Lake Natron in Tanzania That Turns Living Things into Stone

Across the world, lakes and rivers hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning. In India, rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Narmada are worshipped, while lakes such as Manasarovar in Tibet and Bindu Sarovar in Gujarat are considered sacred. Similarly, Jews and Christians revere the Jordan River, Colombia’s Lake Guatavita is tied to the legend of El Dorado, and Slovenia’s Lake Bled is famed for its picturesque island church.

But among these revered waterbodies exists a lake that inspires fear rather than devotion Lake Natron in Tanzania .

At first glance, Lake Natron looks surreal. Its intense blood-red colour makes it visible even from high above. What’s more unsettling is its reputation: the lake’s highly alkaline waters can turn animals into stone-like figures. While this sounds unbelievable, science backs the phenomenon. Yet, despite its deadly nature, Lake Natron is far from lifeless.

How Lake Natron Was Formed

Lake Natron lies in the remote northern region of Tanzania and is one of only two alkaline lakes in East Africa. According to reports, the lake was formed around 1.5 million years ago, shaped by intense volcanic activity and tectonic movements. These same forces also created Ol Doinyo Lengai, known as the “Mountain of God” by the Maasai people, which stands just south of the lake.

Over time, these geological processes filled the lake with calcium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, making its waters extremely alkaline. Minerals continue to seep into the lake from surrounding hills through underground hot springs, steadily maintaining its harsh chemistry. Lake Natron also has a lesser-known sibling Lake Bahi which shares similar traits.




Both lakes are terminal, meaning their waters do not flow into rivers or oceans. Fed only by small streams and hot springs, they remain shallow, allowing salts to concentrate. During summer, temperatures in Lake Natron can rise to a scorching 41°C, further intensifying its hostile environment.

What emerges is a lake shaped by fire, minerals, and time beautiful from afar, but lethal up close, and unlike any other waterbody on Earth.

How Lake Natron Turns Animals Into Stone

In 2013, photographer Nick Brandt captured some of the most haunting wildlife images ever recorded at Lake Natron in Tanzania. Published in his book Across the Ravaged Land, the photographs showed birds and bats lying on the lake’s shoreline, frozen in lifelike poses. Their stiff bodies and hardened features made them look as if they had been turned to stone an eerie sight reminiscent of the petrified creatures in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Brandt later explained that he discovered the animals already dead and carefully placed them in natural-looking positions before photographing them. What made the images especially unsettling was how well preserved the creatures appeared. Their flesh and feathers had dried out, giving them a statue-like appearance that seemed almost unreal.

“I unexpectedly found the creatures all manner of birds and bats washed up along the shoreline of Lake Natron,” Brandt wrote in his book. “No one knows for certain exactly how they die.”

While the photographer himself could not determine the cause of death, scientists point to Lake Natron’s extreme chemistry. The lake’s waters are highly alkaline, with a pH level of around 10.5, a level strong enough to burn the eyes and skin of animals not adapted to such conditions. Prolonged exposure can prove fatal, especially for birds that mistake the reflective surface for safe water.




The reason these animals do not decompose like usual carcasses lies in the presence of sodium carbonate, a mineral found in abundance in the lake. This compound was once used in ancient Egyptian mummification, as it naturally preserves dead bodies. In Lake Natron, sodium carbonate dries out animal remains, preventing decay and leaving them stiff and hardened.

Contrary to popular belief, animals do not instantly die upon touching the water. Instead, the alkaline liquid slowly absorbs moisture and fat from their bodies, leading to dehydration. Over time, this process results in death, after which the preserved remains are often found along the lake’s edges.

Deadly, Yet Not Lifeless

Despite its reputation as a natural killer, Lake Natron supports life in unexpected ways. Its striking red colour comes not only from dissolved salts and minerals but also from salt-loving microorganisms, including haloarchaea and cyanobacteria. These organisms thrive in the harsh conditions and give the lake its intense hue.




The algae also sustain lesser flamingos, which feed on them and use the lake as a breeding ground. Because the lake’s waters are hostile to most predators, flamingos nest here safely. During breeding season, millions of birds gather at Lake Natron, turning its red waters into a spectacular blend of pink and crimson.

Nick Brandt’s photographs also captured images of fish eagles and doves, though these birds do not live in the lake itself. Instead, they thrive in nearby freshwater wetlands and salt marshes. Other animals, including wildebeest, ostriches, and pelicans, can also be found in surrounding regions.

In its own extreme way, Lake Natron showcases nature’s ability to balance danger and survival where a deadly environment preserves the fallen while protecting those uniquely adapted to call it home.