Conquer the Sacred Oldonyo Lengai: Experience Breathtaking Summit Sunrises and Thriving Flamingo Shores Without the Crowds, Even If You’re New to Volcanic Adventures!
Oldoinyo Lengai, standing at 2,870 meters (9,650 ft) on the southern shore of Lake Natron, is an active volcano and a sacred site to the Maasai, known as the “Mountain of God.” This nearly perfect cone occasionally erupts, offering the unique experience of walking on steaming, freshly-formed ground. The journey includes a challenging drive from Arusha or Ngorongoro, leading to camps near the lake where you can visit waterfalls, relax by the river, or witness massive flamingo colonies at the alkaline lake. As the world’s only active sodium carbonate volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai promises an unforgettable adventure, combining breathtaking nature, cultural exploration, and a summit climb like no other.
If you opt for pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your Take Me to Tanzania Adventures & Safaris driver will warmly welcome you upon arrival. Sit back and enjoy a comfortable ride to your hotel in Arusha, Tanzania’s renowned ‘safari capital.’ Along the way, you’ll catch a glimpse of this vibrant and bustling city. Depending on your arrival time, your pre-hiking briefing will either be conducted today or early tomorrow morning, ensuring you’re prepared for your adventure.
Start your day with an early 7:00 am departure from Arusha after breakfast, heading to Ngaresero village near Lake Natron. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Great Eastern Rift Valley, passing Mto wa Mbu, spotting wildlife, and experiencing the vibrant culture of the Maasai people. Arrive at Oldoinyo Lengai in the afternoon, where you’ll settle into a public camp and enjoy a picnic lunch. After freshening up, take an evening walk to explore nearby waterfalls and Maasai villages before returning to your camp for dinner and an overnight stay on a full-board basis.
Accommodation: Lake Natron Camp
At midnight, after enjoying refreshing tea and cookies, your driver will take you to the base of Oldoinyo Lengai, marking the start of your climbing adventure. Rising 2,962m above sea level, this volcanic mountain, known as the "Mountain of God" in Maasai, lies south of Lake Natron and east of the Ngorongoro Crater. Guided by an expert, you'll embark on a challenging 6-7 hour ascent to the summit, renowned for its unique natrocarbonatite lava. After capturing breathtaking views and photos, descend the mountain in 3-4 hours, meet your driver, and return to camp for relaxation, lunch, and an overnight stay on a full-board basis.
Accommodation: Lake Natron Camp
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before heading to Lake Natron with your local guide. This stunning alkaline lake is a vital breeding ground for three-quarters of the world’s Lesser Flamingos. Along the way, enjoy an enriching visit to a Maasai “Boma” village, where you can interact with the Maasai and learn about their unique culture and traditions. After exploring Lake Natron and its surroundings, return to camp for a hot lunch and prepare for your journey back to Arusha.
To reserve this tour, a payment of 20% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 80% can be made on arrival in Tanzania, prior to the departure of your tour.
Your deposit can either be made by means of a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee, or by Credit Card, which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.
Either the final payment can be made through Credit Card, again with the addition of a 3.5% bank charge, or in cash in US Dollars (US Dollar Bills should not be older than year 2009).
Cancellation of a holiday must be made in writing and is effective from
the date we receive the written notification. Cancellation charges are
expressed at a percentage of quoted price as follows
If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your
insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges
from your insurance company. Notwithstanding the above, if we have
issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to
cancel them then the cancelling for Domestic Tickets will be 100%.
The above payment and cancellation policy is specifically for 3 Days
Oldoinyo Lengai Trekking and it does not apply to other tours.
