Northern Circuit -> Oldoinyo Lengai

Oldoinyo Lengai

Oldoinyo Lengai presents a unique opportunity for the adventurous traveler. As Tanzania's only active volcano it is a remarkable sight, towering above the stark beauty of Lake Natron on the Kenyan border, belching out smoke with every eruption. Oldoinyo Lengai is also truly unique in that it is the world's ONLY carbonate volcano; the lava flowing from its cone is like no other. The chance to hike and climb Oldoinyo Lengai up this incredible natural phenomenon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and provides those who like a challenge with a rare and exciting experience.

Oldoinyo Lengai actually means Mountain of God in the local tribal language of the Masai people, and when you visit the region it is easy to see why the volcano has gained such respect. Lying in the north of Tanzania, right on the border with Kenya, the volcano is set in a stark and barren landscape partly of its won creation. The soda lake Lake Natron lies at the base of the volcano, and provides a home to stunning flocks of thousands of flamingos. The view from the top of the volcano is unparalleled, and is a rare treat for those who achieve the goal of climbing Oldoinyo Lengai.

Oldoinyo Lengai also lies within a few hours drive of many of Tanzania's most famous national parks and game viewing areas, such as the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. This means visitors are able to combine climbing Oldoinyo Lengai with a stunning game viewing Tanzania safari, watching the rare black rhino of Ngorongoro Crater or taking a sunrise balloon safari across the Serengeti plains.

For more information on climbing Oldoinyo Lengai contact us.

Location

Climb Oldoinyo Lengai more info ->

 The chance to climb an active volcano!

Oldoinyo Lengai (or Mountain of God to the Masai people) is Tanzania's only active volcano, erupting fairly regularly and belching smoke and ash clouds up to a kilometer into the air. The volcano erupted vigorously in September 2007 and since then the usual climbing route up the western face of Oldoinyo Lengai has been covered over by a lava flow and the new route takes climbers up the east and south eastern ridges.

Lake Natron more info ->

 Lake Natron is the world's most caustic soda lake, and the naturally bright pink colouring could be taken as warning. At about 60 km long and 20 km wide, the lake is large, and presents a remarkable spectacle lying at the base of the actively erupting Oldoinyo Lengai volcano on the Tanzania-Kenya border. The warm shallows waters of the lake provide an ideal breeding ground for the flocks of up to 2.5 million flamingoes, adding another shade of pink to an already surreal landscape. Driving down the aptly-named "seventeen bends" dirt tracks, which cuts steeply down the edge of the Rift Valley, the view out over Lake Natron truly is one of a kind - a stark, barren landscape, carved out and reformed again repeatedly by volcanic deposits and fast flowing water. Strangely beautiful, the area is like nowhere else on earth - a visit to Lake Natron is simply unforgettable.




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