2 Days Lake Natron Tour in Tanzania
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Tanzania
2 Days Ol Doinyo Lengai Hiking
- Duration
- 2 Days
- Price
- From $738 pp
- Difficulty
- Easy
Overview
Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano on earth that erupts carbonatite lava, which is cool enough to run black and turn white in daylight. The Maasai call it the Mountain of God. This is a two-day trip and one very long night.
You drive out to the foot of the mountain, sleep briefly, and start climbing around midnight. The ascent is roughly 1,900 meters of loose ash and rock over about six hours, with no shade and no water on the route, and it is timed to put you on the crater rim at sunrise before the heat makes the descent dangerous. It is steep, and it is not a walk. If you are not comfortable on a sustained scramble in the dark, tell us and we will suggest something else.
What you get for it is the Rift Valley opening up below you at first light, and the crater floor still steaming. On the way down you visit Lake Natron, the caustic soda lake where most of East Africa’s lesser flamingos breed, and the waterfalls hidden in the escarpment gorge behind it.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Transfer to Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain
Your safari will begin from Arusha departing early morning to the wild and remote Ngaresero village where this mountain is situated and surrounded by Lake Natron contains some of the harshest and amazing scenery in Africa and is utterly breathtaking, your drive will take 6 hours and upon arrival, you will enjoy your lunch and then rest at your camp waiting for the mountain climbing which starts around midnight due to the hotter temperatures during day time. At approximately 11 pm, you will be woken up with tea or coffee and a light snack before meeting your Mountain Guide and beginning your trek into the night, camping services will be offered for resting.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Africa Safari Lake Natron
- Day 2
Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai and departure to Arusha
On this day continue your climb in the early hours of the morning intending to reach the summit in time to witness the sunrise as it illuminates the Great Rift Valley below, after reaching the summit you will enjoy breathtaking views of the salt flats of Lake Natron to the north, the Kenyan border in the distance, see snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Rift Valley to the east and the stretching Ngorongoro Highlands and Ngorongoro Crater to the south. Together with your Guide, you will explore the peak and enjoy a picnic breakfast at the summit of active mount Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano before beginning your climb down the mountain, enjoy a refreshing lunch after descending the volcano at your campsite or tented camp facility before returning to Arusha where you safari ends upon arrival. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
- Meals:
- Breakfast and Lunch
What Is Included
Included
- Transportation in a comfortable vehicle
- Mountain Hiking permits per person
- Service of an English speaking Driver/safari Guide
- Accommodation as specified including all camping equipment;
- Meals as specified
- Drinking bottled mineral water on safari
- National Park and vehicle entry fees
- Maasai Mountain local Guide.
Not Included
- International flights and fees
- Accommodation before and at the end of the safari
- Tips to Guides
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Personal insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the 2 Days Ol Doinyo Lengai Hiking cost?
- This safari starts from $738 per person. The final price depends on your travel dates, lodge tier, and group size, and every quote is itemized before you commit.
- How long is this safari?
- It runs 2 days. Because every trip is private, we can lengthen, shorten, or add a Zanzibar or gorilla extension to fit your plans.
- Can I customize this itinerary?
- Yes. This itinerary is a starting point. Swap lodges, change the pace, adjust the route, or combine countries, and your planner reshapes it with you before you book.
- When is the best time for this trip?
- June to October. Climbs start around midnight to reach the crater rim at dawn and get off the mountain before the heat, and the route is not attempted in the rains.
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Where you might stay
Lodges and camps on this itinerary
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