Tanzania · Camping Safaris

2 Days Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain Climbing

2 daysArusha • Lake Natron • Ol Doinyo Lengai

Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Country: Tanzania
Style: Camping Safaris, Climbing Tours, Private Safaris, Tanzania Safaris, Trekking Tours
Stay: Camping
Travel: Tailor-made

Overview

A night climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai “Mountain of God” and Tanzania’s only active volcano, timed to reach the crater rim at sunrise.

It’s a short but very steep trek, best suited to fit hikers who want a real adventure. You stay at a campsite near Lake Natron, where flamingos gather on the shore.

Route

1Arusha
2Lake Natron
3Ol Doinyo Lengai

Day-by-day itinerary

Day01 Arusha – Lake Natron
We collect you from your Arusha hotel and drive north through the Rift Valley to Lake Natron, a remote soda lake at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai. The last stretch crosses wild, dry Maasai country.

In the afternoon you can take a short walk to the lake shore, where lesser flamingos often gather. Dinner is early, and you go to bed early too: the climb starts around midnight.
- Meals Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight Campsite near Lake Natron
Day02 Ol Doinyo Lengai summit – Arusha
Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m), the "Mountain of God" to the Maasai, is the only active volcano in the world that erupts natrocarbonatite lava, which cools to a striking white. The climb is steep, on loose ash and rock, and takes about five to six hours by torchlight, timed so you reach the crater rim for sunrise over the Rift Valley.

After time at the summit you descend (about three hours) and return to camp for a late breakfast and a rest, then drive back to Arusha in the afternoon.

This is a demanding climb for fit, experienced hikers. Your guide will advise on conditions and can turn back at any point if needed.
- Meals Breakfast & Lunch

What’s included

Included

All park entrance fees, campsite fees and government taxes
All meals prepared by your camp cook
Bottled drinking water (at least 3 litres per person per day)
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Camping equipment: tents, mattresses, bedding, camp chairs and tables
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking driver-guide and camp cook

Not included

International and domestic flights (unless listed above)
Tanzania visa fee
Tips for your guide, driver and camp crew
Travel insurance
Alcoholic drinks and personal items
Optional activities such as a hot-air balloon flight

Gallery

Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano seen from Lake Natron, Tanzania

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for this safari?

Northern Tanzania is good all year. The long dry season (June to October) is best for general game viewing, January to March is calving season in the southern Serengeti, and the April–May rains bring green landscapes and lower prices.

Can I change the accommodation or add days?

Yes. Every itinerary can be tailored: upgrade or change lodges, add extra nights, or combine your safari with Zanzibar or a Kilimanjaro climb. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.

What should I pack?

Light, neutral-coloured layers, a warm fleece for early mornings (the Ngorongoro rim gets cold), a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with a spare battery. Soft bags pack into safari vehicles and light aircraft more easily than hard suitcases.

Tailor-made