Mt. Oldonyo Lengai

Explore the Beuty & Nature

Mountain Of God

Ol Doinyo Lengai (2890 metres) is located some 240 kilometres to the northwest of Arusha town, along the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking Lake Natron on the border with Kenya. Ol Doinyo Lengai, or Mountain of God in Maasai, is the only active volcano in Tanzania.

The mountain can be climbed in 6 hours, affording breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and volcanic formations in the Ngorongoro highlands as you get to the summit. It is an adventurous hike starting at dawn. Remember this is an active volcano, the mountain remains closed for climbing when we have eruptions. Lying on the base of the mountain, Lake Natron is said to be the only breeding area for the endangered Lesser Flamingoes that live in the Great Rift Valley and it is believed to be the world’s most important breeding site for the Lesser Flamingoes, accounting for 75 per cent of the global population.

Mt Oldonyo Lengai
Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai

The soda lake sits on the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley part in East Africa and is quite shallow, less than three metres deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The temperatures in the lake mud can reach more than 40 degrees Celsius where evaporation causes high alkalinity. It is said the lake’s high alkaline environment is a barrier against predators trying to reach the flamingo nests. The area around Lake Natron is often described as having a desolate and almost lunar landscape beauty. Walks around the lake and to the streams and waterfalls along the nearby escarpment, make for a fantastic adventure off the beaten track.

Hiking Mt. Oldonyo Lengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language, is a unique volcano located in Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley. Standing at 2,886 meters (9,500 feet), it is the only active volcano in this area and is considered one of the strangest volcanoes on Earth.

What makes Ol Doinyo Lengai special is that it erupts carbonatite lava, a rare type of lava that is very different from the usual basaltic lava. This lava is much cooler—about 500°C (half the temperature of regular lava)—and flows more like water, making it very unusual for a volcano.

The last eruption happened on March 27, 2006. Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai is tough because of its steep slopes and extreme heat. The best time to hike is at night, when temperatures are cooler, allowing climbers to enjoy the sunrise from the summit and return before the heat becomes unbearable.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is not only a physically demanding climb but also a fascinating natural wonder, drawing scientists and adventurers alike.

Mt Oldonyo Lengai

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