3 Days Oldonyo Lengai Trek

3 Days Ol- Donyo Lengai Trek at a glance:

This three-day tour begins and ends preferably in Arusha even though you may choose to start and end in either Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Moshi in Tanzania or Nairobi, Kenya but additional accommodation, transport and domestic flight may be needed.
This tour can be a private climb or can be booked as a group joining climb with guaranteed departure dates.
This tour package is inclusive of full-service camping equipment that includes; all-seasons 2-person tents, mattress, sleeping pad and pillow with the flexibility to upgrade your accommodation before/after climbing Ol Donyo Lengai at Moivaro Tented Camp in Lake Natron
You can customize this two-day Oldonyo Lengai tour with a variety of add-ons like safaris and Zanzibar beach getaways. Contact us to customize this tour.
Climbing Mount Oldonyo Lengai is the better option for climbers that are restricted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro due to fitness issues, lack of enough time or budget.

Trip Highlights:

Marvel in nature as you traverse through the wild side that comes with the stunning views of the Ol Donyo Lengai mountain and the neighbouring red and shimmering lake natron.
Catch the early morning sunrise from the Oldonyo Lengai’s summit.

Climbing Oldonyo Lengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai is quite a physically demanding climb. Its steep slope makes it a challenge to climb up as well as to climb back down and daytime heat is unbearable. The best time to climb the mountain is at night when the temperatures are lower. This allows the climber to witness the amazing sunrise at the summit and come back down before the scorching heat kicks in.

The Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain itself gives hiking enthusiasts the chance to explore the adventurous side and the natural environment of this marvellous mountain located in Northern Tanzania.

Ol Donyo Lengai is perfect for climbers that do not have time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro but still want to do mountain climbing in Tanzania. It is also great for Mount Kilimanjaro’s acclimatization purposes.

About Mount Oldonyo Lengai, Tanzania.

Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, standing at an altitude of 2,890 meters is located in the Northern region of Tanzania and it neighbours the famous Lake Natron. It got its name from the people that live around it, the Maasai. Ol Doinyo Lengai means the Mountain of God in the Maasai language and it was named so because they believe it is a sacred mountain put there by their God, “Engai” to watch over the people and their precious cattle.

This mountain that lies along the rift valley is the only active volcano on a planet that erupts and spews nitro carbonatite lava, something that makes it quite unique.

Day1

Arusha - Lake Natron

Our 3 Days Ol Donyo Lengai trek begins with a hearty breakfast in Arusha/Moshi as we prepare then eventually depart for Lake Natron near Ol Donyo Lengai. Lake Natron is a unique, fascinating, wild and remote lake at the foot of the Ol Donyo Lengai mountain, named by the Maasai people that occupy its vicinity. The name simply translates to “Mountain of God”. The environment around the flamingo filled Lake Natron is very beautiful and scenic despite the harsh environmental conditions present at the lake and its environs.

You will be assigned a proper mountain guide together with a local Maasai guide to accompany you to the Engero Sero Waterfalls bypassing a shady gorge you that leads to a shimmering natural swimming pool that is engulfed by steep rock walls filled with cascading spring water that is a perfect swimming spot.

Overnight – Full-Service Camping, Lake Natron

Upgrade Your Accommodation – Moivaro Tented Camp, Lake Natron

Day 2

Lake Natron / Ol Doinyo Lengai

After early morning breakfast, you will hike along the baked mud on the trail that cuts along the shores of the Soda lake, Lake Natron. The Lake offers astonishing vistas with the ash grey, gigantic active volcano, Ol Donyo Lengai towering from a distance.

Being one of the lakes of the world that contains a lot of alkaline, lake natron plays host to millions of crustaceans and a natural habitat for thousands of flamingo that make the lake their breeding ground and call it home. lake natron may be famous for the pink flamingos but partly because of the amazing landscape that It offers, the view is stunning and very scenic especially with Mount Ol Donyo Lengai forming the backdrop of the beautiful view.

Halfway through your trek, you will head back to camp for a lunch break and a rest in the afternoon as you lazy around till dinner before eventually retiring to your tent for overnight and rest.

Summit Night Ol Donyo Lengai

Shortly before midnight at around 11 pm, you will be woken up with tea or coffee and a light snack then converge with your Mountain Guide to begin your summit attempt to the peak of the mountain.

Overnight – Full-Service Camping, Lake Natron

Upgrade Your Accommodation – Moivaro Tented Camp, Lake Natron

Day 3

Ol Doinyo Lengai (B, L)  

The main aim of beginning your summit climb deep in the night is to get to the summit in time for the sunrise. You carry on with your climb into the wee hours of the morning then afterwards get to the summit in time to witness the amazing sunrise from the east as it glows over the Great Rift Valley beneath. The views are astonishing and out of this world. You will be rewarded with views of the salt flats of Lake Natron, the Kenyan border running on the other side, views of Mount Kilimanjaro to your east and the great rift valley stretching below with another great view of the Ngorongoro crater and highlands to your south.

While at the summit, to is your opportunity to seize the moment, take some photographs and enjoy a picnic breakfast before finally descending to the base of Mount Ol Donyo Lengai.

Descending Mount Oldonyo Lengai

Making the descent from the mountain marks the end of your 3 days Ol Donyo Lengai climbing adventure with tranquil Kilimanjaro as you drive back to Arusha/Moshi town.

Travel Style:

Full-Service Camping or Tented Camp

Price:

Please contact us to customize this itinerary and get a free quote for this Ol Donyo Lengai trekking experience and prices.

The cost for the whole 3 Days Ol Donyo Lengai trek includes and excludes the following items

Ol Donyo Lengai Price includes

English speaking Driver Guide (other languages available on request)

Chef who will prepare all of your sumptuous meals (Full Service Camping only)

Accommodation as recommended including all camping equipment; all-seasons tents, camping bed/cot, mattress, sleeping and pillow (Full Service Camping ony)

Meals as specified

Drinks (selection of bottled water, soda, juice, beer and wine. Drinks can be substituted as per your preference)

National Park and vehicle entry fees and all trekking permits

Local Guide and activities and Lake Natron

Maasai Mountain Guide

All current Government taxes including the 18% VAT Tax

Airport Transfers and Pre/Post Trek Accommodation:
Airport transfer (avoid the chaos at the airport): $50 USD per car

Accommodation in Arusha/Moshi: from $40 USD per person, based on 2-travellers, double/twin share with breakfast