Oldoinyo Lengai means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language. The summit of this strato-volcano is 2962 metres above sea level, and affords direct views into the caldera of Tanzania’s only officially-certified active volcano, and the world’s only carbonatite volcano; records of eruptions have been maintained since 1883, the largest of which deposited ash 100 kilometres away in Loliondo on the Kenyan border to the north west.
It is located in northern Tanzania lying just south of 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.
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.
Oldonyo lengai , Mountain of God in Maasai language is a unique and extremely fascinating strato volcano that towers above the East African rift valley in North Tanzania just south of lake Natron.
Oldonyo Lengai stands at 2,920 amsl, it is the only volcano on earth that sometimes erupts Natrocarbonatite lava, a highly fluid lava that almost contains no Silicon. Natrocarbonatite lava is also much cooler than other lavas being only 950 degress F (510 deg C) compared to the temperatures over 2000 degrees F for basaltic lavas. The carbonatite ash spread over the surrounding grasslands and leads to a uniquely succulent enriched pasture.This makes the area a vital stage on the annual migration of the wildebeest, where it becomes the
nursery for the birth of several thousand calves.
The natrocarbonatite glow at night, but it is not nearly as bright as silicon based lava since it is not as hot.A dull reddish glow that does not illuminate anything visible.Also because of its peculiar chemical composition, the lava is extremely fluid and behaves much like water with exception that it is black like oil. After it has cooled down, it quickly alters and becomes a whitish powder.
Last eruption was in 8 July 2013, effusion of Natrocarbonatite lava inside the crater. Located nearby lake Natron the drive from Moshi takes atleast 7 hrs, 4 on the highway (Tarmac) and 3 on the usual dusty African road.
Seasons: The mountain can be climbed throughout the year with exception of the rainy season, long rains March – May and the short rains of November- December.July and August are the coldest months.
ACTIVITIES
Climbing Oldonyo Lengai: The climb starts in the night due to the much cooler temperatures and the summit is planned to be at sunrise, this will well depend upon the climber pace. Expected time to be down at the base is 9am.
Hiking: In this area there is a water fall fresh from the Ngorongoro highlands,this is the main source of water for the locals and the various lodges at this remote place. The trail to it takes 1.5hrs, here you can cool down, swim and relax before hiking back.
Visit to the Lake: The most alkaline lake in the world and the largest breeding ground for the flamingoes, your guide will drive you close to the lake and you can experience it up close.
Accommodation: For the high end travelers there are a number of tented camps around the area , and for the budget travelers camping is the solution .
Accessibility: The roads are accessible throughout the year
What to Pack:
If you are planning a climb, here are some things to take with you:
6 days trekking / visit to Oldonyo Lengai, the active volcanic mountain
Duration: 6 daysOl donyo Lengai,
Customise: This package can be customised
Persons: min (1) max (4)
Accommodation: Mixed
Activities: Hiking, Mountain Climbing
Lengai volcano expedition — 6 days
— Transfer from Arusha to base camp and ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai at midnight.
— Go down and have a break near Lake Natron and visit the waterfall
— Accommodation: comfortable (private) campsite near lake Natron
— Driving day returning back to Arusha. Overnight in Arusha included (two hotel categories for
Deluxe and Standard to choose from)
End of Tour
Please note that the prices above are Camping accommodation, for standard accommodation, for
deluxe accommodation add US$476 per person traveling alone and also add US$284 per person
in a group of 2 — 4 people traveling.
The Prices Includes:
— Full board accommodation
— Transport
— All parks entrance fees
— Ranger and guide fees and allowances
— Activities as per the itineraries
Prices Excludes:
— Accommodation on the first night before safari and last night after safari in Arusha town book
with us for the prices listed below:
Standard Accommodations:-
***Impala Hotel:
US$50 per person per night sharing on half board basis and US$65 per person per night single
room supplement on half board basis
**WCT lodge
US$35 per person per night on half board basis
Deluxe Accommodations:-
— Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge
— US$85 per person per night sharing on half board basis and US$125 per person per night
single room supplement on half board basis
— The New Arusha Hotel
— US$80 per person per night sharing on half board basis and US$125 per person per night
single room supplement on half board basis
— Airport transfers, book with us for US$60 per vehicle (6 seats) per transfer.
— International flights
— Tips and drinks
— Sleeping bags
— Items of personal nature/use
From Arusha or Karatu you will drive to Oldonyo Lake Natron A soda lake at the base of the active Ol Donyo Lengai volcano, the area around Lake Natron is often described as having a desolate and almost lunar beauty. Lake Natron is found in the northern part of Tanzania. Nearest towns to Lake Natron are Arusha in Tanzania and Magadi in Kenya. It is the most important breeding site for Lesser Flamingos in the world.
East Africa has 1.5-2.5 million Lesser Flamingos, representing three-quarters of the world population and most of them are hatched at Lake Natron. Food is plentiful, nesting sites abound – and above all, the lake is isolated and undisturbed. The lake and its ecosystem provides a source of livelihoods to the local communities.
High levels of evaporation have left behind natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate). The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH of greater than 12. The surrounding bedrock is composed of alkaline, sodium-dominated trachyte lavas that were laid down during the Pleistocene period. The lavas have significant amounts of carbonate but very low calcium and magnesium levels. This has allowed the lake to concentrate into a caustic alkaline brine
Walks around the lake and to the streams and waterfalls along the nearby escarpment make for a fantastic adventure off the beaten track.
There are a number of campgrounds near the lake, which is also the base for climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai.
Accomodation at moivaro lodge
3 meals included.
You will climb Mount Oldonyo Lengai in the midnight. It will take you 5-7hrs up and down.
Oldoinyo Lengai" means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language. The summit of this strato-volcano is 2962 metres above sea level, and affords direct views into the caldera of Tanzania’s only officially-certified active volcano, and the world’s only carbonatite volcano; records of eruptions have been maintained since 1883, the largest of which deposited ash 100 kilometres away in Loliondo on the Kenyan border to the north west.
It is located in northern Tanzania lying just south of 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.
