The Lion King | 23
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve, covering 50,000 square
kilometres, is one of the largest protected areas
in Africa and is relatively undisturbed by human
activity. The property harbours high concentration
of Elephants, Black Rhinoceros, Cheetah, Giraffe,
Hippopotamus and Crocodile, and many other
species. The reserve also has an exceptionally high
variety of habitats including Miombo woodlands,
open grasslands, riverine forests and swamps, mak-
ing it a valuable laboratory for on-going ecological
and biological research. It is one of the largest re-
maining forests in Africa, with relatively undisturbed
ecological and biological environment, including a
diverse range of wildlife.
flickr.com/photos/wwarby/
Lake Natron-Salt Lake
Lake Natron is a salt lake located in northern Tan-
zania, close to the Kenyan border, in the eastern
branch of the East African Rift. The lake is fed by
the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River and also by min-
eral-rich hot springs. It is quite shallow, less than
three metres (9.8 ft) deep, and varies in width de-
pending on its water level, which changes due
to high levels of evaporation, leaving behind a
mixture of salts and minerals called natron. The
lake falls within the Lake Natron Basin Wetlands
of International Importance Ramsar Site. Temper-
atures in the lake can reach 60 °C, and depend-
ing on rainfall, the alkalinity can reach a pH of 9
to 10.5 (almost as alkaline as ammonia).
The color of the lake is characteristic of those
where very high evaporation rates occur. As
water evaporates during the dry season, salinity
levels increase to the point that salt-loving micro-
organisms begin to thrive. Such halophile organ-
isms include some cyanobacteria that make
their own food with photosynthesis as plants do.
The red accessory photosynthesizing pigment in
the cyanobacteria produces the deep reds of
the open water of the lake, and orange colors of
the shallow parts of the lake. The alkali salt crust
on the surface of the lake is also often colored
red or pink by the salt-loving microorganisms
that live in it.
Outside the Mtemere Gate,
Selous Game Reserve.
Amboni Caves
Lake Natron-Salt Lake
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