Mount Ol’doinyo Lengai
It is located in northern Tanzania lying just south of Soda Ash Lake Natron in the Rift Valley, in the heart of Maasai country, and locally regarded as a sacred mountain. Looking north from it’s summit crater, the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance. To the south stretch the crater Highlands and the Ngorongoro Game Reserve. The eastern horizons dominated by Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Rift Valley. Every seven years Lengai erupts and plumes of smoke billow out of the crater.
It is possible to walk across the crater floor. The ascent of Oldoinyo Lengai is demanding on account of the day time heat, lack of water, steep and unsuitable slopes of ash and crumbly rocks and considerable height gain. Normally you can start ascending to summit early in the morning and reach to summit at sunrise. Short and a warm jacket are suitable for ascent, also long trousers are good as the summit before dawn can be cold. Access route from the North West allows an early descent to be made from the summit in the morning shadow.
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 nearby are the Maasai BOMAS that gives you a chance to interact with the indigenous learn their cultures, taboos and traditional
The Mountain frequently does minor eruptions and form cone like structures to its crater base.
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.
3-Day Ol’Doinyo Lengai & Lake Natron Itinerary
Depart early morning from Moshi or Arusha for the remote village of Ngaresero, near Lake Natron. This area features some of Africa’s most dramatic scenery. The drive takes approximately 6–8 hours. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and rest at your camp. Climbing begins at midnight due to the daytime heat. At 11 PM, you’ll be awakened with tea or coffee and a snack before starting the trek with your guide.
Start your ascent in the early morning to reach the summit by sunrise, offering breathtaking views over the Great Rift Valley, Lake Natron, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy a picnic breakfast at the summit before descending. After your descent, relax with lunch at your campsite and then visit Lake Natron to see flocks of Lesser Flamingos and its expansive salt flats.
After breakfast, depart from Lake Natron for your return trip to Arusha or Moshi. The journey will conclude your unforgettable Ol’Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron adventure.