Tanzania's third highest peak in tanzania is much more than just a "warm up" trek for Kilimanjaro.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano in northern Tanzania that offers fit and adventurous souls a very challenging night-time hike. The reward: a sunrise view of the volcano crater from its rim as well as a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape
What’s the climb like?
The climb involves a fairly straight climb to the crater rim, followed by a long descent back to the starting point. It’s a very steep climb and ascent, and so isn’t for the fainthearted!
Ol Doinyo Lengai is also quite unusual for being a night-time climb. Only the descent is down in the daylight. As we discuss in a bit, this is done to avoid the worst heat of the day. Setting off at around midnight adds an extra layer of adventure to the whole affair!
Climbing Mount Meru
Climbing Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai under the moonlight in the remote savannah of northern Tanzania is a truly unforgettable experience. It’s also a very challenging, steep climb that will reward you not only with epic views but also an immense sense of pride that you accomplished East Africa’s most difficult one-day climb!
Ol Doinyo Lengai means “Mountain of God” in the Maasai language
Where is Ol Doinyo Lengai?
Ol Doinyo Lengai sits just next to the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. So it’s part of the intersection between the highlands and the great plain below. It’s also only a stone’s throw from Lake Natron and the Ngare Sero waterfall.
Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano in northern Tanzania, and so has a large crater at the summit. The highest point of the crater rim is 3,188 m (10,459 ft) above sea level.
You start the climb at an elevation of roughly 1,100 meters (3,600 ft). This means you climb two vertical kilometres to reach the top!
Why do we climb at night?
Ol Doinyo Lengai is very near to the Equator and so the region is very hot much of the time. The temperature often climbs above 30℃. It’s generally too hot to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai during the day. To avoid climbing in the heat, you’ll start the hike a little after midnight. Everyone wears headlamps to help them navigate the climb, even when there’s moonlight.
The aim is to reach the top by sunrise, and enjoy the spectacular views brought on by the rising sun! You’ll then descend the mountain during the morning hours, usually reaching the base at around noon. The sunlight is helpful with the tricky descent. You’ll then trot on off back to your accommodation for a shower or swim followed by lunch and a nap during the highest heat of the day.
How long is the climb?
The ascent takes anywhere between 12-14hours, depending on your fitness. The descent takes about the same length of time.
itinerary
2 Days Oldoinyo Lengai Trekking
Climbing Oldoinyo Lengai in the remote wilderness area of northern Tanzania is an adventure of a life time. The trekking is very challenging, steep not ideal for everyone but for fit people. At the beginning the trek is gentle and it start changing drastically into steepness as you move higher normally after the first 300 meters. The steepness and existence of the hot sun during the day result to a high temperature which causes climbing oldoinyo lengai to be challenging. Due to these facts we highly recommend to start the climb in the early morning hours at 01:00 am or 02:00 am so that you reach the summit before the sunrise when it is cool. The distance from the base to the point where you can see the volcano crater is 2 kilometers and the total time requires to climb Oldoinyo Lengai up and down is approximately 6 to 7 hours.
The total duration required for the entire tours is 3 days which combine oldoinyo lengai climb and tour to the nearby area of interest such as the Lake Natron. This lake is the main nesting ground for flamingo birds in the region.
Oldoinyo lengai is part of the volcanic system of the East African Rift Valley which produces natrocarbonatite lava. This mountain has been experiencing occasional volcanic eruptions which makes the locals who lives in the near neighborhood to call it the mountain of God. They actually name it the mountain of Gold “Oldoinyo Lengai” due to the presence of fire and ashes occur during the eruption.
Day 1: Arusha – Oldoinyo Lengai
At 08:00 am we shall pick you up from your hotel in Arusha town for hardly 3 hour drive via Engaruka ruins to Oldoinyo Lengai. Located in the Gregory Rift, south of Lake Natron Oldoinyo lengai is the only live volcano in the East African region which experiencing occasion volcanic eruptions. The shape of this mountain is almost perfect cone with crater at the top and steep slopes. As you arrive in the area you shall depart for a short tour to Lake Natron which is located few kilometers north east. The Lake Natron is one of the major breeding site for the flamingo in the area. In the evening you may also visit the maasai community for a cultural interaction and the nearby waterfalls for a swim
Day 2: Climb Oldoinyo Lengi Mountain – Arusha
Today at 01:00 am in the night you shall be transferred by vehicle from the camp to the base of the Mount Oldoinyo Lengai to start the climbing. The total climbing distance is from the base to the peak and the way back to the base is approximately 4 kilometers. The climb is challenging and it requires a physically fit person to manage it. Arrive at the Peak just before sunrise after 5 to 6 hours of trek.
The oldoinyo lengai crater is quite unique with ashes on it as it goes down to the volcano vent. After spending sometimes at the summit taking pictures you will descend to the mountain base for transfer back to the camp. After a short rest and brunch in the camp you will depart back to Arusha arriving in the evening.
| No of Days | Routes | Trekking Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days Climbing | Arusha to Oldoinyo Lengai | $200 – 1 PERSON |
Inclusive:
Trekking permit
Fees local communities on Lake Natron
Accommodation in Lengai Safari Lodge for one night
Rent Land Cruiser for two days
Professional driver services (English-speaking)
Guide service
Lunch box (is carried by you)
Drinking water (is carried by you)
Optional tour to the Ngara Sero waterfall.
Exclusiveu
Accommodation in Ausha on the arrival and departure day
Flying doctors insurance
All expenses of personal nature
Tips for diver and cooker
Alcoholic drinks while in the Camp.
Medical insurance
Any other expenses of the personal natur
