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Ol Doinyo Lengai

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Mountain
—°1
Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)

Weather…

Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means "Mountain of God" in the Maasai language, is an active volcano located in the Gregory Rift, south of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. It is globally unique as the only active volcano known to erupt natrocarbonatite lava, a highly unusual type of lava that is much cooler and more fluid than the silicate lavas found elsewhere. Upon eruption, this lava appears black or dark brown but rapidly turns white as it reacts with moisture in the air, creating a ghostly, snow-like landscape on its slopes. Reaching an elevation of approximately 2,962 meters, the mountain is a sacred site for the Maasai people, who perform traditional rituals at its base. The volcano's steep, conical profile and frequent activity make it a significant subject for geological research and a challenging destination for experienced hikers seeking to witness its rare volcanic phenomena.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C232323222120202123242323
Rain mm9369110137669371148110113

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
The mountain is usually approached from Arusha using 4x4 vehicles, which transport travelers to the remote starting point located near Lake Natron.
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Best season
The dry seasons from June to October and December to February offer the most stable and favorable conditions for the demanding ascent of this unique volcano.
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Terrain & paths
The ascent is extremely steep and partially slippery due to loose ash and rock, requiring an excellent level of physical fitness and very surefooted agility.
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What to bring
Good mountaineering boots, a warm layer for the cold night, headlamps, and trekking poles are absolutely essential for the strenuous nocturnal ascent.
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Parking
Vehicles can be securely parked at the few basic camps surrounding Lake Natron before hikers proceed to the base of the volcano with their local guides.
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Safety
The volcano is active and unpredictable; climbs are usually undertaken at night to avoid daytime heat and obligatorily require an experienced local Maasai guide.
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Time needed
The rigorous steep ascent and descent generally take around 10 to 12 hours, often meaning hikers return to their camp in the early morning hours after sunrise.

Geography

Coordinates
-2.75690, 35.91390

Facts

  • Peak elevation of 2,962 m
  • Only active natrocarbonatite lava
  • Lava turns white upon contact with air
  • Sacred mountain of the Maasai
  • Last major eruption in 2006
  • Located south of Lake Natron

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Empakaai CraterEmpakaai Crater20 km · SWExplore →
Engaruka RuinsEngaruka Ruins21 km · WExplore →
Lake NatronLake Natron25 km · EExplore →
Lake Natron BasinLake Natron Basin32 km · EExplore →
Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater51 km · SWExplore →
Mto wa MbuMto wa Mbu56 km · WExplore →
KaratuKaratu59 km · SWExplore →
CharranaCharrana62 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Ol Doinyo Lengai (1)

Natron - Selela Rd Junction📍 landmark

A prominent intersection point on the rugged, dusty tracks leading towards the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How difficult is climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai?
Very demanding; the climb is steep, done in the dark, and requires great physical fitness.
When is the best time to climb?
During the dry season (June to September) to avoid slippery trails.
Do I need equipment?
Sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, and headlamps are absolutely necessary.
How long does the climb take?
The ascent takes about 5 to 7 hours, depending on fitness and pace.
Is the volcano active?
Yes, Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano with unpredictable activity.
Ol Doinyo Lengai: where is it located?
Ol Doinyo Lengai is located in Tanzania.
Ol Doinyo Lengai: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Ol Doinyo Lengai: why is it worth visiting?
Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means "Mountain of God" in the Maasai language, is an active volcano located in the Gregory Rift, south of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Dar es Salaam — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Dar es Salaam
The largest city and economic hub on the Indian Ocean coast.
Empakaai Crater — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Empakaai Crater
A pristine crater in the Ngorongoro Highlands featuring a deep blue alkaline lake and steep, forested walls.
Mto wa Mbu — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Mto wa Mbu
A culturally diverse village at the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its irrigation systems and red bananas.
Karatu — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Karatu
A lively highland town, known as the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater and famous for its fertile red soil.
Charrana — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Charrana
A hidden gem at the Cape of the Three Forks with wild cliffs and crystal-clear waters.
Lake Manyara National Park — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Manyara National Park
A diverse national park famous for its tree-climbing lions and vast soda lake filled with flamingos.
Melilla — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Melilla
A fascinating Spanish enclave in North Africa, boasting modernist architecture and a stunning historic citadel.
🗺️
Izemmouren إزمّـورن
Izemmouren is a tranquil coastal town in northern Morocco, known for its pristine beaches like Playa Los Piratos.

Nature

Lake Tanganyika — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Tanganyika
The deepest lake in Africa.
Lake Natron — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Natron
An alkaline salt lake.
Lake Manyara — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Manyara
A lake in the rift valley.

More places

Lake Natron Basin — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Natron Basin
An extremely alkaline lake near the Kenyan border.
Ngorongoro Crater — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Ngorongoro Crater
A massive volcanic caldera in the Serengeti region.
Serengeti Plain — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Serengeti Plain
The famous grassland savannah in the north.
Lake Eyasi Basin — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Lake Eyasi Basin
An alkaline salt lake in the Rift Valley.
Katavi Forest Habitat — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Katavi Forest Habitat
Forest area with wildlife.
Songo Songo Gas Field — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Songo Songo Gas Field
A major offshore natural gas field near Songo Songo island, supplying natural gas to Dar es Salaam for power generation.
Katavi Park — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Katavi Park
A remote wildlife area.
Gombe Park — Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania)
Gombe Park
Famous for chimpanzee research.