
Ol Doinyo Lengai is located around 240 kilometers from Arusha town, along the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, opposite Lake Natron on the Kenyan border, is a prominent natural landmark in Tanzania Destinations. Standing at an elevation of 2,890 meters, this unique volcano is known as the "Mountain of God" in the Maasai language. Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano generating carbonate magma on the earth. This kind of magma is significant due to the fact that its temperature is generally about 500°C, a significant portion of the temperature of typical basalt magmas, and it flows with a fluidity virtually identical to water.
Recent instances of such eruptions are those that occurred in 1966–1967 and 2007–2008. Ol Doinyo Lengai erupts about every seven years, shooting smoke columns into the air. On occasion, you may even descend into the crater to the edge of the lava flows. The dry, sweltering salt plains of Lake Natron are visible in the distant distance to the north, and beyond them is the Kenyan border.
When you reach the top, you'll be able to see the Great Rift Valley and the volcanic landscapes of the Ngorongoro highlands in a way that will blow your mind. The climb takes around six hours. It is a fantastic hike that begins before dawn. Bear in mind that when this volcano erupts, the top will be inaccessible to climbers. The climb is perilous, making the descent an equal challenge, and the afternoon heat is excruciating. The best time to ascend the peak is around midnight, when temperatures are cooler.
On occasion, you may even descend into the crater to the edge of the lava flows. The dry, sweltering salt plains of Lake Natron are visible in the distant distance to the north, and beyond them is the Kenyan border.
Flamingos use the lake's edges as nesting sites, constructing raised mounds from the saltiness of the surface. Around the lake, daytime temperatures often exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and only a few species can survive in this habitat. Mount Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit is visible to the east, while the western slopes of the Great African Rift Valley are comprised of forested escarpments and hills.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is a component of the volcanic system of the Great Rift Valley in eastern Africa. According to the Maasai Tribes, the name means "Mountain of God." You will reach a height of 2,886 metres (9,524 feet) as you reach the summit. The volcano is special in that it generates natro-carbonaitite, and after a strenuous trek, hikers are rewarded with the chance to see the brilliant glow of molten lava.
It is possible to walk up Ol Doinyo Lengai, but visitors must be experienced hikers due to the trail's difficulty and steep ascent. Typically, they begin their climb at night and complete it in six hours. In addition to its height, the mountain's soil, which changes colour, is a remarkable characteristic. Due to volcanic activity, the Maasai tribe has seen a range of soil colours, from white to grey to red to brown to black and even yellow. As a consequence of this observation, an American explorer dubbed Ol Doinyo Lengai "the gigantic rock candy mountain."
Unlike the two other tallest mountains, Lengai's summit crater can be reached in around six to seven hours. A working safari led by Maasai guides armed with firearms is an excellent method for travellers to see wild species such as olive baboons, velvet, monitor lizards, hyenas, lions, leopards, jackals, Grant's gazelles, impalas, and zebras.
The best time to visit Ol Doinyo Lengai is during the dry season, which usually occurs from June to October. During this time, the weather is typically clear and sunny, which facilitates navigation through the challenging terrain and steep slopes of the volcano. In addition, wildlife sightings are more frequent during the dry season as animals congregate near the limited remaining water sources. It's crucial to keep in mind that temperatures can still be quite hot during the day, so visitors should make sure to come prepared with ample water and sun protection.