Description
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 amount of time requires for the tour is 2 days which is enough to climb oldoinyo Lengai and explore the nearby areas of interest
History of Oldoinyo Lengai
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 with the most recent between 25th March to 5th April in 2006. According to the team of geologist who climbed Oldoinyo lengai in February 2010 witnessed a periodic eruptions from a small vent and steam emissions from the crater rim of the mountain near to the collapsed part. These occasional eruptions is what makes the local maasai people who live in the area to call it the mountain of God. They actually name it the mountain of God “Oldoinyo Lengai” due to the presence of fire and ashes occur during the eruption.
2 Days Oldoinyo Lengai Climb – Activities
Although the main highlight of this tour is to climb Oldoinyo Lengai, but the tour is also offering the chance to visit the shores of Lake Natron which is the main nesting ground for flamingo birds in the region. In addition to that, visitors can also visit the nearby Maasai boma for a cultural experience. For visitors with sufficient time, can add an extra day to this oldoinyo lengai climbing program and embark on a day hike to the fascinating Engaresero waterfall.
Climbing Oldoinyo Lengai Itinerary
Day 1Hotel – Oldoinyo Lengai
At 08:00 am we shall pick you up from your hotel for hardly driving 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.
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.