Boutique, fully licensed safari company · Locally based in Arusha, Tanzania

Lake Natron · Active volcano

Ol Doinyo Lengai Trek

A steep night climb to the summit of Tanzania’s only active volcano, for sunrise over the Rift Valley.

  • 1 day
  • Summit 2,962 m
  • Lake Natron lodge or camp
  • From $750 per person

Overview

Ol Doinyo Lengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai — “Mountain of God” in the Maasai language — is Tanzania’s only active volcano, rising above Lake Natron in the Great Rift Valley. Its rare carbonatite lava makes it unlike any other volcano on earth.

The climb gains about 1,600 metres in roughly five kilometres, so it’s short but very steep. We start around midnight to avoid the heat and reach the summit for sunrise.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1Lake Natron → summit → Lake Natron

    Leave your Lake Natron camp around midnight with your guide. The trail climbs steeply all the way — about 11 km return and 6–12 hours depending on your pace and time at the top. Watch the sunrise from the crater rim over the Rift Valley and Lake Natron, then descend and rest at camp.

What’s included

Usually included

  • Park and climbing fees
  • Professional mountain guide, porters and cook
  • Camp or hut accommodation on the mountain
  • Meals on the mountain
  • Transfers between Arusha and the gate
  • Summit certificate

Not included

  • Flights and visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for guides, porters and cook
  • Personal climbing gear
  • Hotel nights before and after the climb

Your quote lists exactly what’s included before you book.

Good to know

How fit do I need to be?

No technical skills are needed, but good fitness helps. Regular hiking or cardio training in the months before your trip makes a real difference.

When is the best time?

January to early March and June to October. We avoid April and November, the main rainy seasons.

Can I add a safari?

Yes — a climb combines perfectly with a safari before or after, or a few days on Zanzibar.

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