Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai is a unique volcano in Tanzania, not too far from Lake Natron. It’s special because it’s the only place in the world where you can see natrocarbonatite lava. This lava is cooler than most, flowing at about 950 degrees Fahrenheit, which is cooler than the lava you might picture from movies or other volcanoes.
What’s really interesting about this mountain is the lava itself. During the day, it looks like dark, flowing oil or sometimes like a foamy brown river, depending on how much gas is trapped inside it. At night, it glows a soft orange, but not as bright as other lava because it’s not as hot.
Climbing Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai is an adventure like no other. You can walk through landscapes that feel out of this world. The lava changes from black to white as it reacts with moisture from the air, turning into a soft brown powder over a few days or instantly during the rainy season.
The volcano also has explosive periods where it throws out ash and rocks instead of flowing lava. These are less predictable, but they add to the excitement of the climb. Climbing this mountain gives you a front-row seat to some really cool natural science in action. It’s a challenging trek, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see such unique geological features up close.
The round-trip hike on Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai covers a distance of about 11 to 12 kilometres.
The time it takes to climb Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai can vary significantly, from 6 to 12 hours, depending on your fitness level. Typically, it might take about 11 hours, including several breaks and time spent enjoying the view at the summit.
The hike up Ol Doinyo Lengai is quite challenging. It’s known to be a tough climb, so it’s important to prepare seriously and be in good physical condition before attempting it. The climb includes very steep sections and can be quite demanding, especially near the summit.
The incline of the Ol Doinyo Lengai hike is quite steep. Over just 5 kilometres, you’ll ascend about 1,600 meters. The steepest part, which you’ll encounter after the first two hours, can feel almost vertical, with angles approaching 75 to 80 degrees.
Ol Doinyo Lengai reaches an elevation of approximately 2,962 meters (about 9,717 feet).
