Oldoinyo Lengai Climbing

Oldoinyo Lengai

Oldoinyo Lengai is in the Lake Natron area in the north of Tanzania, right on the Kenyan border and extremely off the beaten track. The drive to Lake Natron, with the imposing volcano Oldoinyo Lengai in the background is surreal and breathtaking. The landscape has been pock-marked with volcanic activity; mini calderas and the great Rift Valley punctuate the horizon. After settling in to camp at the foot of the slopes of Oldoinyo Lengai and stretching your legs we recommend that you venture up to the nearby waterfalls for a refreshing swim.

The base of Ol Doinyo L'Engai, on the Engaruka Plains, lies at about 800m. The Masai's Mountain of God is the only active carboniferous volcano in the world and as such provides a genuinely unique opportunity for adventure-lovers and photographers. The steep ascent to the top (currently just under 3000m) requires determination and good fitness levels, but the views alone are more than worth the effort. It is usually possible to stroll over solidified lava flows, and walk amongst the lava cones belching out sulfurous gases. Ideally the hike begins at 12.30am, and the summit is reached as the sun rises over the wind-scoured expanse of the valley below.

You will need a fleece and hat for the summit, as the wind can be chilly at 3000m. Take a torch, and enough batteries to last till sunrise. Enjoy the views and explore the solidified lava flows before descending back to the vehicle and continuing on to your next destination.

The "Mountain of God" for the Masai Tribes - altitude 2886 meters (9524 feet)
Ol Doinyo Lengai is a volcano located in Tanzania and is part of the volcanic system of the Great Rift Valley in eastern Africa.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is unique among volcanoes in that it produces natro-carbonititic lava, an unusual type of carbonatite. The most recent eruption took place on the 27th of March 2006.


DAY 1.
• Drive to Mto Wa Mto and enter the Great Rift Valley, passing via Engaruaka basin and into a semi-desert Area hot wild and dusty with extinct volcanos Kitumbene and Gelai off to the right and the Mountain of God "Ol Doinyo Lengai" always in front.
• Around midday we arrive at Falls Camp on the banks of the Engaresero river, a welcome place to shower or bathe in the river, or take a trek to the waterfalls hidden in the Western wall of the rift valley.
• Rest and around mid night drive to and start the climb of Lengai (circa 4 hours climb) One should be able to see Lava glowing once at the peak.

DAY 2.
• Enjoy the sunrise and the views up the Rift Valley as far as Kenya. Descent around lunch, and drive to Lake Natron one of the major Flamingo breeding grounds in East Africa - en-route visit a Massai "Boma" village.
• Overnight Falls camp.

DAY 3.
• Drive to Arusha and overnight L'Oasis - Lodge and Restaurant or Outpost Lodge.
• On our way back to Arusha we will have ample time to stop and buy some of the Makonde carving for which Tanzania is so famous.
• Also for those who wish a chance to stop at mesarani Snake Park, to see the snakes that are�normally difficult to see in the wild due to their�natural shyness.