Where to see flamingos in Tanzania?
Where to see flamingos in Tanzania?
Tanzania, as always, is home to many striking attractions, depending on what you want to explore. If you want to see wildlife in its purest form, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Nyerere, and Ruaha may satisfy your desire. If you’re a hiker, then Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru are there to test your endurance. For cultural experiences, there are over 120 tribes, each with a unique mother tongue and traditions. So, it’s up to you and your timeline.
Tanzania hosts over 1000 bird species, a thriving destination for birders. Each species prefers certain habitats, with some staying in dense forests like those of the Nyerere National Park, while others prefer the lake shores. Flamingos are among the unique species birders encounter in large numbers during their safari. We are here to describe these unique birds. Stay with us to the end.
When to see flamingos in Tanzania?
You can see flamingos all year round. But if you want to see them in large flocks, plan your safari between November and May. They start breeding from October to December and become less migratory, thus offering birdwatching opportunities.
The best places to see flamingos in Tanzania
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is an extremely alkaline lake in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border. Natron is an alkali that contains large amounts, making it hostile to many life forms. And it is famous as the lake that can turn animals into stone.
The pH of this soda lake may exceed 10 (ammonia has 11), and the water boils at 60˚C. Yet, the flamingos survive in such saline conditions, and they have made this deadly lake their breeding grounds. Over 3 million flamingos migrate to Lake Natron during the dry season. They prefer Lake Natron for two reasons:
- The lake is hostile to predators, making their nests and young ones safe.
- The lake is rich in algae and brine shrimp, which are staple food for these birds.
Lake Manyara
This soda lake within Lake Manyara National Park is another best spot to see flamingos. You can see them from a distance, as they appear pink. Here, you can see these birds year-round, but if you want to see big flocks, November-May is the best time.
Apart from these beautiful birds, you can search for tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, buffalo, baboons, and plenty of birds.
Lake Magadi
The name “Magadi” means soda ash in Swahili. This lake lies within the Ngorongoro Crater. Its salty water attracts thousands of flamingos. After your search for the Big Five on the crater floor, you can treat yourself with a drive to the shores of this soda lake.
The lake is seasonal, so the best time to see flamingos is from November to May. Apart from these birds, you can see white pelicans and more than 500 bird species residing in the conservation area.
Lake Ndutu
In the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies a seasonal lake, Ndutu. It teems with large flamingo flocks from June to November. You can still see them from December to March, though in small flocks.
Apart from flamingos, Lake Ndutu welcomes the Great Migration from December to March. It’s during this time that the wildebeest and zebra give birth to over 500,000 calves. The area is also better for sighting predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action.
Empakai Crater
This is another stunning crater within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. But it’s not intact like the Ngorongoro Crater. A soda lake takes up about 75% of its floor, and this lake attracts thousands of flamingos.
The crater is also perfect for watching wildlife like buffalo, antelopes, and wildebeest on the lower slopes of its crater rim. A hike on the crater rim will give you beautiful views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron.
Momella Lakes
Head out to Arusha National Park to see flamingos. The seven Momella Lakes are salty, hence welcoming flocks of flamingos. Besides watching these beautiful pink birds, you can canoe on the Small Momella to experience the park from another angle.
The park is also home to giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, and baboons, worth sighting on your way to or from Momella. You can set off for a day hike on the foot of Mount Meru.
Lake Eyasi
A remote lake in the Great Rift Valley is another best place to see flamingos. They inhabit the shallow waters of this seasonal lake. Apart from birds, Lake Eyasi also hosts the Hadzabe and Datoga on its forested shores.
You can treat yourself with a cultural visit to the Hadzabe, the ‘hunter-gatherer’ tribe of the modern world. Or you can visit the blacksmith Datoga tribe.
Interesting facts about flamingos.
Their pink color results from the food they eat – algae – which contain pink pigments. As a result, their features turn pink. If you want to see the difference, take a look at their young: they are usually white or grey. As they feed on the algae, the pink color appears, usually at around two years old.
The flocks of flamingos are bound by lifelong friendships. They may form a thousand-strong flock, usually to avoid predators. You might see a large flock migrating when the conditions are not good – like predator invasion.
The bottom line
Seeing these tall, slender birds is a special treat. Plus, they’re close to other birds and wildlife, making your experience unforgettable. If you want to spot these birds, start planning your visit with us today. Our safari planners are here to help you out. Please contact us.
