Three Day Trekking Oldonyo Lengai
Tour Overview
Mountain Lenkai (normally known as “Ol’doinyo Lengai”) rises about 2,100 meters above the East African Rift Valley floor to a height approximately 2,880 m. The name Ol’doinyo Lenkai which means “Mountain of God” originates from the Maa language (the Maasai’s language) from Ngorongoro area. The Maasai people conduct prayers to God “Enkai” or “Engai” whom the Maasai believe is the Creator of all things on this active volcanic mountain.
Ol’doinyo Lenkai is the only active volcanic mountain in the East African Rift Valley Region which attracts many geologists from all over the world who come for research. Scientifically, carbonated lava is dark brown upon extrusion, but reacts very rapidly and turns into moisture to hydrate, then to secondary alteration minerals that impart a white colour to the rock. The Maasai believe that the “white rock” symbolizes the white beards of “Enkai”.
Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Arusha - Lake Natron
Drive to Mto Wa Mbu and enter the Great Rift Valley, passing via Engaruka basin and into a semi-desert area hot wild and dusty with extinct volcanoes, Kitumbaine and Gelai off to the right and the Mountain of God “Oldoinyo Lengai” always in front.
Around midday we arrive at Camp on the banks of the Engaresero river, in the afternoon take a trek to the waterfalls hidden in the Western wall of the rift valley.
Day 2 : Attempt summiting Oldonyo Lengai
Enjoy the sunrise and the views up the Rift Valley as far as Kenya and therefore descent and drive to the camp for shower, and late breakfast follows with a total rest. You will have some small walking in the evening on your wish and thereafter retire to campsite for dinner and overnight
Day 3 : Arusha
In the morning after breakfast you will have a walking around the Lake Natron with your local guide. Lake Natron one of the major flamingo breeding site in East Africa – en-route visit a Maasai “Boma” village. You will have time to interact with Maasai people and learn their culture and day to day activities.
After having the cultural tour you will be back to the campsite for hot lunch and preparation to drive back to Arusha or Moshi for dinner and overnight at the designated hotel or lodge. Depending with the itinerary you might be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.
- Park fees
- (For non-residents)
- All activities
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation
- (Unless listed as upgrade)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Sleeping bag
- International flights
- (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Bath towels
- Tips
- (Tipping guideline US$10.00 p/p per day)
- Personal items
- (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Drinks
