The Momela Lakes

The Momela lakes are located within the Arusha National Park, they are alkaline lakes whose shallow waters come from underground sources; on their bottom they grow many algae that many water birds that live on their shores feed on.

 

The seven lakes are: Big Momela, Small Momela, El Kekhotoito, Kusare, Rishateni, Lekandiro and Tulusia.

 

Each lake has a source of spring water separated from the others and also has a different color ranging from green to turquoise; the reason for these different colors depends on different minerals contained in the individual lakes, in fact, even if they are not far one from the others, each of these lakes has a particular composition of minerals, that makes them all different from one another; there are also different algae that grow there, as well responsible for the different colors.

 

These lakes are the perfect habitat for many aquatic birds, both resident and migrant, who are located in the park, such as the greater pink flamingos, the lesser pink flamingos, pelicans, Egyptian geese, guinea fowls, African fish eagles, African jacanas and many others.

 

Each lake, precisely as a result of its specific composition of minerals and algae, attracts different birds from the others.

 

Here you have the best opportunities for birdwatching around the park and one of the best in the North of Tanzania; in particular you can see huge flocks of pink flamingos, both greater and lesser, who overcrowd the shores of the Great Momela, painting it pink.

 

Although animals do not drink from the waters of these lakes, because of the alkalinity of them, on their banks you can spot zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, dik-diks and duikers.

 

You can carry out the canoe safari, an experience that you can only do here and nowhere else in the North Park of Tanzania; canoes glide silently across the lake and allow you to see up close the various species of animals that are found here; also from here, on a clear day, you can see the Kilimanjaro on one side and the Meru Mount on the other.

 

Moving towards the Ngurdoto crater you meet other small lakes, such as the Longil Lake, that, unlike the Momela lakes, is of fresh water; here you will often find buffalos and waterbucks who always live near the water on which they depend.