Dare to take a hike on the active sodium carbonate volcano? Go rustic! TRY something a little different and not much different from the norm at the Ol Doinyo Lengai.

The amazing views and car-free environment are the repetitive scenery as visitors come to the Engaresero village for the volcano Mountain climb. The travel is across dry open plains with the Kerimasi, Gelai and Kitumbeine mountains in the distance and closer by seven remarkable volcanos, the jewel being the spectacular and active Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, altitude 2980 meters (9777 feet), is a unique and a fascinating volcano that towers above the East African Rift Valley in Northern Tanzania, just south of Lake Natron in the Maasailand bordering Kenya.

“Ol Doinyo Lengai” means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language, the native people living in the area. The mountain shares a boundary with the Great Rift Valley Wall and faces Lake Natron to the north, mountain Gelai to the east and Leparakash plains to the northwest.

Whenever drought, famine or other calamities occurred the Maasai community, elders conducted prayers at the foot of the mountain, seeking an end to the misfortunes. The Maasais also conduct superstitious and ritual ceremonies as a symbol of their culture at the foot of the mountain. And during sacred festivals, goats are slaughtered. So to the Maasais, the mountain will always have a personal and unique touch.

Mountain as a source of fortune – it is believed that for many years the Maasai communities from both Tanzania and Kenya have worshiped the mountain, believing it as a source of fortune.

This cone-shaped mountain is also celebrated for its value as a unique mountain, sustaining an unmatched active volcano in the world that produces nitro carbonatite lava a unique occurrence of volcanic carbonatite. The temperature of its lava as it emerges is said to be around 510 °C (950 °F).

The surrounding beauty in pastures around the Great Rift Valley wall, and the huge land, in which wildlife seek pastures outside the Ngorongoro is stunning. The valleys, rolling hills, and beauty of wildlife roaming freely in an open endless landscape feel like visitors are on a game viewing safari. Large groups of zebras, wildebeest, Thomson and Grant gazelles, impalas, antelopes, Maasai giraffe, hyenas, ostriches, wild dogs, and oryxes are seen near the roadsides grazing.

Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai with all the volcanic activities it has still stood as a place worth to visit and climb since the eruption has stopped and just some normal activities of bubbles take place. The trek which starts in the midnight and set to end early morning takes 5 to 8 hours round trip depending on your pace.

Apart from hiking the mountain, visitors are introduced to local herbs found in the mountain by the local guide. Visitors are guided to get to know different herb plants and its medicinal content. The herbs which are still in use by locals treat various diseases such as fever, malaria, pneumonia, chest complications, sterility and their use.

This tour can be combined with Lake Natron birdwatching, footprint visiting, waterfalls, baboon caves or hot springs and a cultural tour in the Maasai village.    

Mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai is located 220 Kilometers away from Arusha town, Tanzania.