MOUNT OL’DOINYO LENGAI
Ol’doinyo Lengai by its name “means“ the Mountain of God” in the Maasai language of the native people. This mountain is also known as Mountain Lenkai. The mountain is located in the northern Tanzania and southern end of Lake Natron at an elevation of 9,442 feet, above the East African Rift Valley floor to a height approximately 2,880 m. Ol’doinyo Lengai is an active volcanic mountain and is part of the volcanic system of the Great Rift Valley located in Eastern Africa. Because of its unique features, visiting Mount O’ldonyo Lengai should be within tourist’s or trekker’s minds. Moreover, 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.
Unlike other volcanic mountains which spew silica-rich basalts, O’ldoinyo Lengai is the only active volcano on Earth that erupts with carbonatites that are instructed into other formations as well as composition and rarely reach Earth’s surface as eruptions. It is one of the exciting Tanzania destinations that you wouldn’t want to miss.
From the records, the mountain eruptions occurred on the dates of 1883, and again get recorded in the year between 1904 and 1910 and then in the year 1913 and 1915. A major eruption took place in June 1917, which resulted in volcanic ash being deposited about 50 km away. It’s most recent, the eruption was in the year 2007 and 2008 which created a magnificent coat over the mountain and made it an amazing destination to reach during your safari in Tanzania including the great culture of the maasai people which will excite you and make this destination a wonderful location to be in Tanzania.
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 to come for research. Scientifically, carbonated lava is dark brown upon extrusion, but reacts very rapidly and turns into moisture to hydrate, then to secondary modified minerals that impart a white colour to the rock. The Maasai believe that the “white rock” symbolizes the white beards of “Enkai”.
Tanzania experiences many tourists who visit and climb this mountain every year. One should not underestimate this 2,880 meters high mountain, as it needs much determination to climb because of the steeper walking. However, trekkers should know that climbing Ol’doinyo Lenkai doesn’t require technical skills and expertise to get to the peak. At the summit, the small cones formed by lava can be seen on the crater rim. Despite the fact that Ol’doinyo Lenkai’s volcano erupts frequently there are no records of injuries or deaths experienced since then. Geologists tell that Ol’doinyo Lenka’s lava is not as hot as other volcanoes’ lava recorded in other parts of the world. It takes three days to the summit of Ol’doinyo Lenkai. After a climb Ol’donyo Lengai mountain, GVTS advice tourists to spend their time and take a tour around Lake Natron. Lake Natron is the largest lake in East Africa which accommodates numerous flamingos and other birdlife which eats algae. Zebras, elephants, giraffes, can be viewed on the walking safari from Ngare-Sero, Engaruka to Loliondo accompanied by armed rangers.
