Climbing Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai
Trip Detail
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Duration3 days
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Arrival CityArusha
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DepartureArusha
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ActivitiesTour
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Comfort StyleLuxury
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Areas VisitedMount Oldonyo
Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai sometimes misspelled as Ol Donyo Lengai stands at 2890 meters above sea level and is located approximately 240 kilometers northwest of Arusha City, on the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment, overlooking Lake Natron, a flamingo filled, reddish coloured lake located on the Kenya – Tanzania border. Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai or Oldoinyo Lengai is a sacred mountain to the Maasai people that inhabit the mountain’s environment gave it this name that means “Mountain of God” in Maasai’s language.
Trekking Ol Doinyo Lengai
Ascending the mountain in 6 hours will reward you with spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley and volcanic structures in the Ngorongoro highlands. It’s an exciting walk that begins at daybreak. Remember, this is an active volcano, and when there are eruptions, the peak is restricted to climbing.
Lake Natron, which lies at the foot of the mountain, is claimed to be the sole breeding place for the endangered Lesser Flamingos that reside in the Great Rift Valley, as well as the world’s most significant breeding site, accounting for 75% of the global population.
The soda lake is located at the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. It is relatively shallow, measuring less than three meters deep, and its breadth changes depending on the water level. Evaporation creates significant alkalinity in the lake mud, which may reach temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
Days
Day01
Arusha - Lake Natron
Our 3 Days Ol Donyo Lengai trek begins with a hearty breakfast in Arusha/Moshi as we prepare then eventually depart for Lake Natron near Ol Donyo Lengai. Lake Natron is a unique, fascinating, wild and remote lake at the foot of the Ol Donyo Lengai mountain, named by the Maasai people that occupy its vicinity. The name simply translates to “Mountain of God”. The environment around the flamingo filled Lake Natron is very beautiful and scenic despite the harsh environmental conditions present at the lake and its environs.
You will be assigned a proper mountain guide together with a local Maasai guide to accompany you to the Engero Sero Waterfalls bypassing a shady gorge that leads to a shimmering natural swimming pool that is engulfed by steep rock walls filled with cascading spring water that is a perfect swimming spot.
Overnight Full-Service Camping, Lake Natron
Upgrade Your Accommodation Moivaro Tented Camp, Lake Natron
Day02
Lake Natron / Ol Doinyo Lengai
After early morning breakfast, you will hike along the baked mud on the trail that cuts along the shores of the Soda lake, Lake Natron. The Lake offers astonishing vistas with the ash grey, gigantic active volcano, Ol Donyo Lengai towering from a distance.
Being one of the lakes of the world that contains a lot of alkaline, lake natron plays host to millions of crustaceans and a natural habitat for thousands of flamingo that make the lake their breeding ground and call it home. lake natron may be famous for the pink flamingos but partly because of the amazing landscape that It offers, the view is stunning and very scenic especially with Mount Ol Donyo Lengai forming the backdrop of the beautiful view.
Halfway through your trek, you will head back to camp for a lunch break and a rest in the afternoon as you lazy around till dinner before eventually retiring to your tent for overnight and rest.
Summit Night Ol Donyo Lengai
Shortly before midnight at around 11 pm, you will be woken up with tea or coffee and a light snack then converge with your Mountain Guide to begin your summit attempt to the peak of the mountain.
Overnight Full-Service Camping, Lake Natron
Upgrade Your Accommodation Moivaro Tented Camp, Lake Natron
Day03
Ol Doinyo Lengai (B, L)
The main aim of beginning your summit climb deep in the night is to get to the summit in time for the sunrise. You carry on with your climb into the wee hours of the morning then afterwards get to the summit in time to witness the amazing sunrise from the east as it glows over the Great Rift Valley beneath. The views are astonishing and out of this world. You will be rewarded with views of the salt flats of Lake Natron, the Kenyan border running on the other side, views of Mount Kilimanjaro to your east and the great rift valley stretching below with another great view of the Ngorongoro crater and highlands to your south.
While at the summit, to is your opportunity to seize the moment, take some photographs and enjoy a picnic breakfast before finally descending to the base of Mount Ol Donyo Lengai.
Descending Mount Oldonyo Lengai
Making the descent from the mountain marks the end of your 3 days Ol Donyo Lengai climbing adventure with tranquil Kilimanjaro as you drive back to Arusha/Moshi town.
Travel Style
Full-Service Camping or Tented Camp