Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai is most times misspelled due to its complex name. This mountain stands at about 2,890 meters above sea level.
It’s located north west of the Arusha City about 240 kilometers. It’s located on the rift valley and overlooking the stunning Lake Natron.
The Masai people consider the Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai as a sacred place and call it the “Mountain of God”.
Trekking Ol Doinyo Lengai
Reaching the summit of the Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai wil take you about 6 hours an will give you great views of the rift valley and the Ngorongoro conservation area with its highland and the crater.
The hiking is usually done I the day and it is so controlled give the fact that this mountain is still and active volcano.
The only breeding area of the lesser flamingos is Lake Natron which is on the foothills of the Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai. This lake is a soda lake and very shallow (about 3 meters deep) Temperatures here go to up to 40 degrees Celsius.
Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano around this area. It shows according to statistics that this mountain erupts every twenty to forty years.
The most recent recorded eruption has been in the years of 1966, 1983, 1993 and 2007 being the most recent.
When it rains here, the natrocarbonatite lava becomes white when it gets in touch with water. The mountain has two craters with one of them dormant and covered in volcanic ashes.
The other crater that is active is about 200 meters deep. Sometimes you will b allowed to reach the summit of this mountain and then all the way won to the crater and move closer the molten rock.
Usually the summit is only reached in the night because of the high temperatures here.
Despite the fact that the route is difficult due to the heat (40°C) and hikers are urged to use extra caution, the views from Mount Lengai are breathtaking.
What to wear
- Socks
- Hiking boots preferably with some decent ankle support
- Teva or flip flops for chilling at the camp
- Sun hat to shield from direct sun
- Sunglasses or shades
- Long sleeve t-shirt
- Rain shell
- Light fleece
- Gaiters for hikers with low cut hiking shoes
- Trekking poles
- Hiking trousers
- Waterproof trousers
- Head torch for night time
- Buff or lightweight neck gaiter (to keep the dust off)
- Water bottles
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