2 Days Ol Doinyo Lengai Climbing Tour
Summiting Ol Doinyo Lengai: A 2-Day Adventure
The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is situated in one of the most beautiful places in North Tanzania, near Lake Natron, where hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos fly every year. Ol Doinyo Lengai is unique among active volcanoes in East Africa and globally, producing natrocarbonatite lava, often referred to as “cold lava.” The lava has a dark-brown or black color in its liquid state and flows as fluidly as water. Despite its name, the temperature is lower than that of other lavas, ranging from approximately 510-600°C, though not cool by any means.
In the last hundred years, Lengai has erupted about 15 times, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2013. Fortunately, these eruptions have occurred without causing any casualties, as the volcano is relatively small and situated at a considerable distance from the nearest Maasai villages.
Summiting Ol Doinyo Lengai: A 2-Day Adventure
The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is situated in one of the most beautiful places in North Tanzania, near Lake Natron, where hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos fly every year. Ol Doinyo Lengai is unique among active volcanoes in East Africa and globally, producing natrocarbonatite lava, often referred to as “cold lava.” The lava has a dark-brown or black color in its liquid state and flows as fluidly as water. Despite its name, the temperature is lower than that of other lavas, ranging from approximately 510-600°C, though not cool by any means.
In the last hundred years, Lengai has erupted about 15 times, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2013. Fortunately, these eruptions have occurred without causing any casualties, as the volcano is relatively small and situated at a considerable distance from the nearest Maasai villages.
Tour Summary
Duration
2 Days
Vehicle Type
4WD Safari
Tour Type
Private
Languages
Any Language
Highlights
- This tour will take you through the following: Ol Doinyo Lengai
- En-route animal viewing as your professional tour guide describes and explains in detail the different species of animals.
- Overnights at campsites let you sleep beneath the stars.
- Guaranteed window seat for daily tours and game drives.
Tour Itinerary
Day to day Best of Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1:
Day 1 - Arusha - Lake Natron
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel in the morning and drive you to Lake Natron. The drive is fairly long and you will reach Lengai Safari Lodge sometime after lunch. At the same time, the scenery on the way is picturesque and you will have an opportunity to see the local people, including Maasai tribesmen, as well as some African wildlife. After your check-in, a guide will take you on a walking tour to Ngare Sero waterfall. The trail runs through a gorge and you will sometimes need to ford the stream, so we recommend that you wear sandals or the like to avoid constantly having to take your shoes off. A drive to the lakeshore, where you get a chance to capture its great scenery on camera takes place before you return to the Lodge for dinner and some rest.
Lake Natron is a large salty lake on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. It’s not far from Arusha (214km), but the area is remote and wild, located on the well-known Northern Circuit. However, it is easy to visit Lake Natron along with Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
LOCATION 📍: Lake Natron
MEALS PLAN:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wildlife Experience
Enjoy a one-day wildlife safari that includes a 4×4 game drive to see diverse African wildlife, including the Big Five
Travel Time
The drive from Arusha to Lake Natron by our 4×4 Land Cruiser takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on road conditions.
Day 2:
Days 2 - Trekking to Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano - Arusha
At 1:00 a.m. driver takes you to the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano for the start of your climb. The footing on the slopes of the volcano can be treacherous, especially in the dark, so follow your guide without overtaking him. The trek is strenuous and takes between 7 and 12 hours depending on your fitness and resultant pace. The gradient is steep, so it is best to make a short stop with every 100 m or so of altitude gained in order to get acclimatized.
It is best to take a break for breakfast on the way to the top in order to regain some strength for the remainder of the climb. At the edge of the crater, you will have reached an altitude of 2,960 m. Here, you can actually hear the lava flow inside the Mountain of God crater.
The descent is easier and you may be tempted to move faster. This is, however, the time when most injuries happen, so mind your step! It is also advisable to change your fleece for a sun hat after dawn in order to avoid heatstroke.
Our driver will be awaiting you as you return to the foot of the mountain with cold drinks, ready to drive you back to the town of Arusha.
We've got you covered
Our tours are top-notch but give you great value. The price we tell you upfront covers most of the costs for one person, like flights and all transfers.
Includes
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
Excludes
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
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Popular questions about Tanzania Safari 2 Days Ol Doinyo Lengai Climbing Tour From Luxury Lodges to Wild Camps
The best type depends on your budget and comfort level. Luxury lodges offer high-end services, while tented camps give a close-to-nature experience. Mobile camps move with the wildlife migration, and budget lodges are great for saving money.
Yes, Tanzania has affordable lodges and tented camps, especially in areas outside national parks. Public campsites are also available for travelers on a tight budget.
A lodge is a solid structure with modern amenities like private bathrooms and electricity. A tented camp is made of canvas but still has comfortable beds, bathrooms, and sometimes hot showers.
Yes, mobile camps are safe. They have staff who ensure security, and they are set up in safe areas with rangers nearby.
Most lodges and luxury camps have private en-suite bathrooms with running water, toilets, and hot showers. Some budget camps may have shared facilities.
Yes, many luxury lodges are in remote locations, offering exclusivity, stunning views, and a closer connection to nature.
It’s best to book 6–12 months in advance, especially for peak season (June to October and December to February).
Some luxury lodges offer Wi-Fi, but it may not be strong due to the remote locations. Budget camps and lodges may have limited or no internet access.
Yes, most lodges and camps provide full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Some even offer picnic lunches for game drives.
Most lodges have electricity, but some remote camps use solar power or generators, meaning charging devices may be limited to certain hours.
Yes, most lodges cater to dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal meals, but it’s best to inform them in advance.
Yes, most accommodations provide mosquito nets or have insect-proof tents and rooms to keep you comfortable at night.
Yes, some lodges and mobile camps are positioned along the migration routes, especially in Serengeti National Park.
Most lodges offer airport transfers. Some are accessible by road, while others require short domestic flights to airstrips nearby.
Most lodges have security and guides to escort you at night, as wild animals can roam the area. Always follow lodge rules for safety.
Its status as the largest intact volcanic caldera and its dense concentration of wildlife make Ngorongoro Crater a truly unique destination.
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