The statistical and dynamical properties of the lightning activity over Belgium are investigated for time scales ranging from 5 minutes up to a few hours by means of tools developed in nonldinear dynamics. Two main regimes, for short and long timescales, are found whose statistical and dynamical properties are drastically different. The statistical analysis shows that these regimes correspond to monofractal and multifractal processes, respectively. For the first regime the dynamical analysis shows a sharp decrease of the residence time probability around the active state and a low level of lightning activity, while for the second, a long tail in the residence time probability and a more intense lightning activity. Based on this, a probabilistic model linking the amount of Cloud-to-Ground flashes and the duration of the lightning activity is built. Finally, the spatial dynamics of the lighning activity is explored and found to be sub-diffusive.