The Prefect Ol Doinyo Lengai Hike Itinerary & Cost $1,250 USD
Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is located in a picturesque region of northern Tanzania, adjacent to Lake Natron, which hosts hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos annually. Ol Doinyo Lengai is distinctive among active volcanoes in East Africa and globally, as it produces natrocarbonatite lava, sometimes referred to as “cold lava.” It possesses a dark-brown or black hue in its liquid form and exhibits fluidity akin to water. This temperature is significantly lower than that of other lavas; nonetheless, it remains rather high at roughly 510-600°C. Over the past century, Lengai has erupted approximately 15 times, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2013. Fortunately, eruptions of Ol Doinyo Lengai occur without casualties due to the volcano’s comparatively small size and its considerable distance from the nearby Maasai villages.
A Complete Ol Doinyo Lengai Climbing Tour
Day 1: Arusha – Lake Natron
Your driver will collect you from your accommodation in the morning and transport you to Lake Natron. The journey is somewhat lengthy, and you will arrive at Lake Natron Camp sometime post-lunch. The journey features gorgeous terrain, offering opportunities to observe local inhabitants, like Maasai tribesmen, among various African species. Following your check-in, a guide will escort you on a walking excursion to Ngare Sero waterfall. The walk traverses a gorge, necessitating occasional fording of the creek; thus, we advise wearing sandals or similar footwear to prevent the need for frequent shoe removal. A drive to the lakefront, providing an opportunity to photograph its magnificent landscape, occurs prior to your return to the Lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Day 2: Trekking to Ol Doinyo Lengal Volcano-Arusha
At 1:00 a.m., the driver will transport you to the base of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano to commence your ascent. The terrain on the volcano’s slopes can be perilous, particularly in low visibility, so adhere to your guide without beyond him. The walk is arduous and requires between 7 and 12 hours, contingent upon your physical level and corresponding pace. The gradient is high; therefore, it is advisable to take brief pauses approximately every 100 meters of altitude acquired to facilitate acclimatisation.
It is advisable to pause for breakfast en route to the summit to replenish energy for the continuation of your Ol Doinyo Lengai ascent. At the crater’s rim, you will attain an elevation of 2,960 m. Here, one can distinctly hear the Ol Doinyo Lengai lava flow within the crater of the “Mountain of God”. The descent is less arduous, and you may feel inclined to accelerate your pace. This period, however, is when the majority of accidents occur, so use caution with your steps! It is prudent to replace your fleece with a sun hat after daybreak to prevent heatstroke.
Your driver will be at the base of the mountain with cool beverages, prepared to transport you back to the camp for a brief shower and lunch prior to your return to Arusha.
Included in cost
- Permission for the ascent;
- Fees of local communities on Lake Natron;
- Accommodation in Lake Natron Camp (full board and drinks);
- Day-use at Lake Natron Camp on the day of descent from Lengai (room and lunch);
- Land Cruiser 4×4 SUV with a pop-up roof, ergonomic seats, binoculars, fridge for drinks and Wi-fi;
- Experienced English-speaking safari guide for safari on Lake Natron;
- Services of Maasai guide for the climb to the top of Lengai;
- Packed breakfast during Lengai climb (carried by you);
- Drinking water during Lengai climb (carried by you);
- Optional tour to the Ngare Sero waterfall.
- First aid kit
The price does not include
- Airport transfers;
- Accommodation in Arusha before and after the climb;
- Services of porters during the climb;
- Tips for guide ($ 20-50 for the entire ascent)
