3 Days Climb the “Mountain of God” Ol Doinyo Lengai

Overview

Ol Doinyo Lengai means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language of the native people. The volcano is the only active volcano in this part of the Rift Valley and is often mentioned to as strangest volcano on Earth. The Mountain of God for the Maasai tribe, altitude 2886m Ol Doinyo Lengai is a volcano located in Tanzania and is a part of the volcanic system of the rising majestically from the Great Rift Valley.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano on a planet that erupts carbonatite lava. Ol Doinyo Lengai is unique among volcanoes in that it produces nitro-carbonatitic lava, an unusual type of carbonatite. The most recent eruption took place on the 27^th of March 2006. This type of lava is unique because temperatures of these lavas are only around 5000c, about half the temperature of normal basalt lavas, and its lava flows with a viscosity and almost as fluid as water.

Described by other as a scientifically precious and geochemical shrine. 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.

Best Time To Travel

• The main rainy season is from Late March to late May.
• The ideal Travel time is from the end of December to mid-March with good visibility in the mountains.
• The large dry season from July to October is also suitable, but it can get cold when trekking in the highlands.
• The small rainy season in November / December brings somewhat more changeable weather.
• The best time to Travel to Lake Natron is in the dry months from July to October. During this time, up to two million Lesser Flamingos usually live and breed at the lake.