Oldoinyo Lengai

Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai Overview

Ol Doinyo Lengai means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language of the native people.

The volcano is the only active volcano in this part of the Rift Valley and is often mentioned to as strangest volcano on Earth. An active volcano on Planet at altitude 2690 m that erupts carbonatite lava.

The local Maasai considered the mountain holy and believe its home to their god Ngai. Located in Tanzania and is a part of the volcanic system of the rising majestically from the Great Rift Valley.

It uniquely produces nitro-carbonatic lava, an unusual type of carbonate, as described by other as a scientifically precious and geochemical shrine, in the 1960 eruption of Ol Doinyo Lengai led to geological investigations that finally confirmed the view that carbonated rock is derived from magma

Is quite a physically demanding climb. Its steep slope makes it a challenge to climb up as well as to climb back down and daytime heat is unbearable, and the best time to climb the mountain is at night when the temperatures are lower. This allows the climber to witness the amazing sunrise at the summit and come back down before the scorching heat kicks. This allows the climber to witness the amazing sunrise at the summit and come back down before the scorching heat kicks in

WHAT TO DO

Horse and Camel riding

Mountain Climbing, Walking Safari

Wildlife and Camping Safari, Maasai Culture tour

Combine Mount Climbing and Safari Big Fie

ACCOMMODATION

Place offers a basic and campsite accommodations, also a comfortable tented camp at Lake Natron a home of beautiful natural.

GETTING THERE

Most travelers will visit the OlDoinyo Lengai part of a bigger package, including a visit to the Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara. From Kilimanjaro Int. Airport or from town of Arusha. Take the road to the west and after 116 km you will reach Mto-Wa-Mbu (River of Mosquitos). Take the dusty road to the north (to Lake Natron, only 4x4, not during wet season) and after 6 hours you will arrive at OlDoinyo Lengai Base Camp, only half an hour to the trailhead to the slopes of Lengai.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June to August; The weather at Lake Natron is primarily hot and mostly dry, and the coolest, it’s an excellent time for walking tours around the lake and also for trekking up OlDoinyo Lengai.

3 Days Itinerary

Day 1:

Pickup from Arusha  or Kilimanjaro international and drive to MtoWaMto and enter the Great Rift Valley, passing via Engaruaka basin and into a semi-desert Area hot wild and dusty with extinct volcano’s Kitumbene and Gelai off to the right and the Mountain of God “Ol Doinyo Lengai” always in front. Around midday we arrive at Falls Camp on the banks of the Engaresero river, a welcome place to shower or bathe in the river, or take a trek to the waterfalls hidden in the Western wall of the rift valley.

Rest and around mid-night drive to and start the climb of Lengai (circa 4 hour climb). (Meals; B, L, D)

Day 2:

Enjoy the sunrise and the views up the Rift Valley as far as Kenya. Descent around lunch, and drive to Lake Natron, one of the major Flamingo breeding grounds in East Africa – en-route visit a Maasai “Boma” village.Overnight stay at the camp. (Meals; B, L, D)

Day 3:

Departure to Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro airport for a flight to Zanzibar or back home

En route sightseeing and those who wish a chance to stop at Mesarani Snake Park, to see the snakes that are normally difficult to see in the wild due to their natural reticence