2 nights
Climb
Ol Doinyo Lengai
Ol Doinyo Lengai
Your private guide expects you!
Private Safaris Guide & Vehicle
During the next days you will be led by your personal and experienced guide.The comfortable Toyota LandCruiser 4 x 4 vehicles usually have six seats, a fridge with drinking water and a socket for charging camera equipment. The roof can be opened for game viewing - the classic safari in Tanzania.
Your onward journey
Travel by road to Lake Natron CampLake Natron Camp Lake Natron Tanzania
2 nights
Accommodation
Lake Natron Camp is located right on the edge of Lake Natron on a strech of open grass land, with great views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. There is a little stream of water that flows into Lake Natron, just some 50m from camp. A great place to relax and cool off your feet, especially if you have returned from a longer hike.
The camp offers ten sleeping tents, one common tent with the bar, dining and lounge area. The camouflaged Bedu shade nets were especially designed to keep the guest rooms cool during the day and protect them from the occasional strong winds. Each tent is furnished with full size beds, quality linen and blankets, tables and chairs and has its own running water, ensuite shower and compost toilet. This is certainly not a luxury camp and the exposure to nature can sometimes be a bit challenging, but the location and the views of the volcanoe are fantastic.
Location
Lake Natron is extremely remote and can only be reached after several hours’ drive from either Karatu/Lake Manyara or North Serengeti. The road leads from Mto wa Mbu through numerous villages towards Lake Natron (approx. 5 hours). The journey from Klein’s Gate (Serengeti) to Lake Natron takes 8 hours.
Lake Natron
The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano rises majestically above Lake Natron like the keeper of a lost world. Seen from the lake, the volcano has a perfectly conical shape. It is a source of endless fascination for visitors and locals, who call it the ‘Mountain of God’.
The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Malawi / Mozambique. Typical signs that the earth’s tectonic plates are drifting apart include abrupt escarpments and volcanic activity. The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is the last remaining active volcano in Tanzania. It explodes every couple of years and spews large amounts of soda (sodium carbonate) down its steep cliffs. This is then washed into Lake Natron by rainwater.The lake is situated at the lowest part of East Africa’s Rift Valley, at a height of approx. 600 m. The hot climate causes lots of water to evaporate, making Lake Natron extremely alkaline. This in turn provides ideal conditions for algae and plankton to grow, making the lake an important breeding ground for flamingo, which live in this harsh habitat.
The Great Rift Valley stretches from northern Ethiopia to Malawi / Mozambique. Typical signs that the earth’s tectonic plates are drifting apart include abrupt escarpments and volcanic activity. The Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is the last remaining active volcano in Tanzania. It explodes every couple of years and spews large amounts of soda (sodium carbonate) down its steep cliffs. This is then washed into Lake Natron by rainwater.The lake is situated at the lowest part of East Africa’s Rift Valley, at a height of approx. 600 m. The hot climate causes lots of water to evaporate, making Lake Natron extremely alkaline. This in turn provides ideal conditions for algae and plankton to grow, making the lake an important breeding ground for flamingo, which live in this harsh habitat.
Climb Lengai
The Great Rift Valley stretches from the north of Ethiopia to Malawi/Mozambique. Steep cliffs and volcanic activity are typical characteristics of the drifting apart of tectonic plates. Spewing out huge amounts of sodium carbonate every now and then, Ol Doinyo Lengai is the last remaining volcano in Tanzania. Its outpour is washed down the steep inclines into Lake Natron by rain. At roughly 600 m high, the lake is located at the lowest elevation of the East African Rift Valley. The high temperatures here cause large amounts of water to evaporate, making Lake Natron strongly alkaline. These extremely harsh conditions are ideal for the growth of algae and plankton, which in turn makes Lake Natron an important breeding ground for flamingos.
Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano rises majestically above Lake Natron like the guardian of a lost world. Seen from the lake, the volcano has a perfectly conical shape and is a great source of fascination for both visitors and natives, who refer to it as the “Mountain of God”.
The ascent of the volcano happens at night, as the temperatures are too high during the day. You need to pay a local Maasai a fee to guide you. Our vehicle will take you to the starting point of the ascent, usually on the west side of the volcano. The ascent is possible in 4 hours for the fitter and mountain-accustomed guests, 6 hours for the slower ones. The first part of the route is difficult due to the ashes and the dust. It then gets steeper and steeper in two stages until it becomes a proper climb. You have to be sure-footed and free from giddiness, but you certainly do not need special climbing equipment.
At the top you can walk along the crater rim and you can actually see the lava glowing in the crater. Sunrise is at about 6 o'clock and it is time to start your descent as it becomes hot very quickly. The way down is difficult due to the sharp rocks and you have to be careful not to break your legs. Time required about 3 hours.
The ascent routes may change due to the activity of the volcano. Local people will give you advise and will show you the best way. Recently, the volcano has also been climbed from the northern side.
Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano rises majestically above Lake Natron like the guardian of a lost world. Seen from the lake, the volcano has a perfectly conical shape and is a great source of fascination for both visitors and natives, who refer to it as the “Mountain of God”.
The ascent of the volcano happens at night, as the temperatures are too high during the day. You need to pay a local Maasai a fee to guide you. Our vehicle will take you to the starting point of the ascent, usually on the west side of the volcano. The ascent is possible in 4 hours for the fitter and mountain-accustomed guests, 6 hours for the slower ones. The first part of the route is difficult due to the ashes and the dust. It then gets steeper and steeper in two stages until it becomes a proper climb. You have to be sure-footed and free from giddiness, but you certainly do not need special climbing equipment.
At the top you can walk along the crater rim and you can actually see the lava glowing in the crater. Sunrise is at about 6 o'clock and it is time to start your descent as it becomes hot very quickly. The way down is difficult due to the sharp rocks and you have to be careful not to break your legs. Time required about 3 hours.
The ascent routes may change due to the activity of the volcano. Local people will give you advise and will show you the best way. Recently, the volcano has also been climbed from the northern side.
Your onward journey
Travel by road to Arusha
Arusha
Details & Prices
Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.
Duration 2 nights. Min 2 guests.
This excursion can only be booked as an extension to one of our safaris in Tanzania.
Inclusive / Exclusive
Includes all transfers from Lake Natron to the hotels/camps to Lake Natron
Includes all transfers from Lake Natron to the hotels/camps to Lake Natron
- Lake Natron Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands).
The Masai guide charges about USD 100 per person for the climb. Needs to be paid to the Masai community directly.
Not included are international flights, gratuities, compulsary comprehensive travel insurance, visa fees, local airport fees, personal purchases.
Learn more about these areas
Lake Natron
