Hiking The Ol Doinyo Lengai
Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano situated in the northern part of Tanzania, near Lake Natron. The term itself is a local Maasai terminology that means “Mlima wa Mungu” in Swahili, which translates to “Mountain of God.” This place is sacred to the Maasai. Ol Doinyo Lengai is situated in the so-called East African Rift Valley, where the Earth’s ground is slowly opening up and hot magma can move up from far below.
Through many years of being in a line, this magma piled up to create the present-day mountain. Ol Doinyo Lengai is unique due to the type of lava through which it erupts, nitrocarbonatite. The lava is oily, black, and cooler in contrast to normal lava.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is not just a normal volcano; it’s one of a kind. Most volcanoes make lava that is super-hot and bright red and can burn everything around. But Ol Doinyo Lengai has its own characteristics that make the volcano special: lava that is dark like oil and not very hot. That’s why scientists love to study it, as it helps to learn and research numerous things about the Earth.
The volcano sometimes erupts with numerous small-scale eruptions. These eruptions shoot out ash, smoke, and black lava. People get to see the volcano change little by little, seeming like it can erupt at any time, but it doesn’t!
It stands to a height of about 2,962 meters and is surrounded by beautiful scenery and beautiful nature and wildlife in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In one word, it’s simply unique, and the land around it looks wild and beautiful.
If you visit Ol Doinyo Lengai, you will not only see volcanic features but also different wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and different beautiful birds. Also, just nearby, you can see and learn more about the Maasai culture. The ground surface around the mountain looks dry and dusty, but the views of this place are so amazing. Different people can climb the volcano, but it’s a tough walk, as it’s very steep and takes many hours.
Hiking Ol Doinyo Lengai is a wild adventure; it’s one of the hardest mountains to climb in East Africa, but also one of the most amazing geographic features to climb, since there are several things you can see only on Ol Doinyo Lengai.
When you start the hike towards Ol Doinyo Lengai, it usually begins around midnight. That’s because hiking during the day is very hot and hard, so it can be difficult for visitors to enjoy the hike, but at night, you can easily enjoy the hike since the weather is cooler and so is the climb.
To climb the mountain, you will need a flashlight, a good guide who knows the way, and a few other necessities. The climb becomes challenging very fast, so you must walk slowly and carefully, as the mountain is rocky and slippery. You will sometimes walk on soft ash from the volcano, and other times you’ll stumble on strong and hard rocks.
As a climber, you need to have a few necessary things, including but not limited to a large jacket to keep warm since the higher up you go, the more the air becomes thinner and hence cold, a water can, some food and fruits, and some well-supported shoes. Trekking through these terrains can be very tiring, but if you move step by step, you’ll be able to make it to the summit.
If you climb to the top during the morning hours, you’ll be able to see the beautiful sunrise above the landscape below, watching as the horizon shines a great scenery over the land. Lake Natron glows from afar, and the landscape looks wide and peaceful.
At Ol Doinyo Lengai’s summit, the world remains quiet and expansive. When you’re at the top, you’ll experience magical moments as you stand above the clouds and valleys. You’ll also observe the sky slowly turn pink, orange, and golden during sunrise. It is a very peaceful and empowering moment that most hikers feel proud of and thankful that they leaped.
Once atop the mountain, the salt lake Natron is visible whilst sighting the tall pink flamingos and the Great Rift Valley creeping deep into Kenya from above. This place is great for photography and nature appreciation.
Most hikers spend anywhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour at the top; they then descend. The descent time seems to be difficult because the rocks are slippery, and your legs may get worn out a bit.
The bottom line
Ol Doinyo Lengai is not just a mountain; it’s an experience of nature, culture, and wonder. Whether you are a traveler, student, adventurer, or just someone who loves the beauty of our planet, climbing this mountain should top off your list. Different travelers from many countries around the world come to see the power of the “Mountain of God.”
