About Ol Doinyo Lengai

About Trip

Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
Lake Natron and Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai are part of an untouched land of ancient origin in the northeast of Tanzania in-between the Ngorongoro Highlands and Serengeti plains. This area is home of the Maasai, who have kept all their customs and have hardly been influenced by modern culture. Here, it is the remoteness and the dramatic landscape, rather than the variety of animals that exert a powerful attraction.

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The Active Volcanic Mountain in Tanzania

Climb Mount Oldonyolengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai is a stratovolcanic mountain located north east of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, rises abruptly above the rift valley plains south of Lake Natron, with 2.751meters above sea level. Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only remaining active volcanic mountain in Tanzania (major explosive eruptions have been recorded since 2007) though there are numerous small eruptions happen now and then. It is the only volcano in the world that erupt natrocarbonatite lava, highly fluid lava that contains almost no silicon. Natrocarbonatite lava is also much cooler than other lavas
The mountain is ideal for adventurous travelers who like to explore those unique areas in the world, such as photographers, trekkers and volcano lovers. Nevertheless Ol Doinyo Lengai is considered to be extremely hazardous and that safety cannot be assured. Trekking takes 1 day; though descending is tough’ It is always done with combination with safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro
It provides spectacular view of escarpment separating the Serengeti Plains from Lake Natron and the Rift Valley below.
Ol doinyo Lengai worshiped by “Maasai as Mountain of God” is located in the African Rift valley about 120 km North West of Arusha. It is nice safari when you combine with Ngorongoro Highland Hiking, which gives the opportunity to explore culture and view different volcanic features along the way before climbing the mountain. The climbing takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach the top, and the hike normally starts early hours in the morning to avoid the day intense heat in the Rift Valley; the best time to climb is from June to early March.
Extra activities include:

Lake Natron
Hot spring
Maasai bomas
Waterfalls
Hikking
Distances: 4 hours from Arusha, 2 hours to Lake Manyara, 2.30 hours, and 2.30 hours to Tarangire.
For more information on here please contact us.

Oldoinyo Lengai Itinerary - 2days / 1 nights

From Moshi or Arusha it is better to allow 2 days for the trip – 6 hours to drive from Moshi to Lake Natron for dinner and overnight.

Day 1:

Day 1: Drive from Moshi to Arusha , game drive and overnight at Ngosek guest house in Ngare sero source – a magnificent rock amphitheatre with springs gushing out of rock faces.

Day2:

Day 2: 10.30PM Drive to the base of the climb, ascend to the summit (maximum 6 hours) and if it’s possible, descend into the active crater then walk down. Lunch at Ngare sero and drive back to Moshi/Arusha town

The cost of the trip is $270usd per person.

Standing at 2,878 meters above the Soda Ash Lake Natron, Mountain of GOD as famous to the Maasai community that inhabit the area, Mountain Ol’doinyo Lengai is situated in the Ngorongoro highlands and the African Rift valley about 120 kilometers Northwest of Arusha, Tanzania.

Since the past ancestors the Holly Lengai has been used by Maasai for their prayer to their GOD known as NGAI. Ol’doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano in the world that erupt natrocarbonatite lava which is cooler than other lavas about (510 degrees C) compare to the temperatures of basaltic lavas (1,100 degrees C) with less silicon.

The Mountain frequently does minor eruptions and form cone like structures to its crater base.

While on the summit of Mountain Ol’doinyo Lengai one can sight clearly the Soda Lake Natron which accommodates and consist of good nesting sites for different bird species especially the Flamingos, pelicans and geese more than 350 different types are recorded to date.

Unlike others two highest Mountains, Lengai takes about six to seven hours to the summit crater. Also the Mountain is an ideal place for a working safari escort by the Maasai guides with weapons tourist can sight wild animals like olive baboon, velvet, monitor lizard, hyenas, lion, leopard, jackal, Grant’s gazelle, impala and zebra.

The nearby are the Maasai BOMAS that gives you a chance to interact with the indigenous learn their cultures, taboos and traditional.

Our Happy Clients!

Our Tanzania trip was fabulous. Spotting the Tree-climbing lions and Black Rhino was unforgettable. Thanks for fulfilling our dreams. We’ll be back soon!

 4.5/5

Clara Smith

From USA

Thank you, Maasai Land Wonders Team, for your exceptional care during my 3 Months Volunteering program. A thousand thanks for an unforgettable experience.