OL DOINYO LENGAI AND LAKE NATRON (4 DAYS)
Oldoinyo Lengai is an active volcano located in Tanzania, East Africa. Its name means “Mountain of God” in the Maasai language.
Oldoinyo Lengai is unique because it is one of the few volcanoes in the world that produces natrocarbonatite lava, which is very different from the more common basaltic lava. The lava is very fluid and has a low viscosity, meaning that it can flow much more easily than other types of lava. It is also much cooler than other types of lava, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 600 degrees Celsius, compared to the 1,000 to 1,200 degrees Celsius of basaltic lava.
Due to its unique composition, Oldoinyo Lengai’s eruptions are not very explosive and do not produce large ash clouds or pyroclastic flows. Instead, the lava flows down the volcano’s steep slopes and spreads out in a thin layer, creating a flat and often hard surface.
Oldoinyo Lengai is considered to be an active volcano, with regular eruptions occurring every few years. While it is not as well-known as other famous volcanoes like Mount Fuji or Mount Vesuvius, it is still an important geological and cultural landmark in Tanzania.
– DETAILED ITINERARY –
OL DOINYO LENGAI AND LAKE NATRON (4 DAYS)
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. You will have the rest of the day to relax and acclimate to the local environment.
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Natron, located in the northern part of Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. The journey will take us through some of Tanzania’s most spectacular scenery, passing through traditional Maasai villages and giving us a chance to see wildlife along the way. Upon arrival, we will check in at our camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a guided walk to the nearby waterfalls and enjoy a swim in the refreshing natural pools.
We will wake up early in the morning and begin our trek up Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano that is the spiritual home of the Maasai people. The trek is challenging and takes about six hours, but the views from the top are spectacular. We will have a picnic lunch at the summit before descending back to our campsite for a well-deserved dinner and rest.
After breakfast, we will leave Lake Natron and drive back to Arusha. Along the way, we will stop at the Maasai market in Monduli, where you can buy souvenirs and interact with the locals. We will arrive in Arusha in the afternoon and transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.