It's sacred to the Maasai; they still perform ceremonial ritual offerings in the mountains “kitchen” to “NGAI” God, in the Maasai vernacular.

Rising at an altitude of 2886 ALT-m (GPS) above the Soda Ash Lake, NATRON - (60mts wide, 1-1.5mts deep), with temperatures rising to over 50°C, that heats up the soda ash making it the most conductively favorable nesting fields, for over 4 million little flamingo chicks hatched annually, scattering around the rest of the E. African soda lakes. That heat and soda ash dust makes this place to be the hashiest living environment on Earth thus guarantees no predators close to the eggs or newly hatched chicks.

The Lengai is located along the East African Rift Valley wall escarpment north-east of the NGORONGORO highlands. The mountain of God is the most unique active volcano in the world mainly because it erupts Natrocarbonatite lava; (a much cooler liquid and non sticky black/grayish crude oil like lava) with temperatures of over 500°C, unlike the other volcanoes which produces basaltic lava with temperatures rising above 1,100°C.

The less violent active volcano has been witnessed by many volcano enthusiasts ever since the early seventy's and has become a great attraction of late. While the lava flow appears like a white water flowing streams and brownish mud they form into solidified lava crystals that reflect sharp sparks when hit by rays.

The low gas content lava glows to extreme red-orange pool during the dark within the crater rim and around the solidified peaks of volcanic lava cones creating a spectacular display.

The last minor explosions of Lengai are reported to have been witnessed by a group of touring climbers in the beginning October 2005.

There is a beautiful camping base for climbers and hikers. Munge River water falls provides the most desired power shower after the tedious climb.

OUR SUGGESTED PROGRAMME:

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights.

DAY: 1. after loading everything in our 4 x 4 land cruiser/ rover we start by driving for about four hours on dirt, dusty and bumpy road to the village of Engaruka via Mto wa Mbu village, where we pick up fresh fruits and vegetables first.

We pass through several Maasai villages en route, and stop briefly upon arrival at the village of Engaruka, a 500 years old mysterious lost ancient city, but with a modern irrigation system. Upon our desire we can as well purchase a goat to provide us with fresh BBQ meat at the camp.

As we drive on through the dusty wilderness we pass many wild animals that live in harmony with the Masaais (Antelope, Gazelles, Ostrich, Zebras, buffalo and Giraffe etc), the tropical sun blazing on the steaming earth, by mid afternoon we should arrive at Kamakia, a small campsite situated on the banks of the fast flowing Engaresero river.

After a good evening meal and basic briefing about our next encounter, try to go to sleep for a few hours because you'll be awaken at 11:30 pm for a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and then set off in our vehicle to the ascent point.

We'll struggle for about 6 hrs in the cold darkness, stumbling up a steep route across boulders and unstable screed. For almost the entire ascent the angle is almost 45°.

DAY: 2. At approximately hours 6:00 AM, we arrive at the summit and rest for about 1 hour before marveling at one of the strangest and most surreal landscapes one could imagine. All around cones and plugs raise their twisted and convoluted shapes out of a lava plain of white and gray sediment, surrounded partially by the broken perimeter wall of the caldera.

Solidified ripples and ribs of lava look like the fossilized remains of mud squeezed from between the toes of a gigantic monster. Clouds of sul-phureous gasses escape from dark cracks with ear - splitting whines and whistles. The rising sun will illuminate curtains of vapor, changing their hues to pinks and reds and you will feel the heat rising through your boots.

Standing on the outer edge of the crater where the main lava flows, you will be stunned by the vista spread out below, a tapestry of green and brown undulations stretch away to the misty horizon. To the southwest you can see other volcano peaks such as the Empakaai, Olmotti, the famed Ngorongoro crater and Oldeani and beyond these, the first verdant hues of the Serengeti plains.

As the sun rises higher, the colors change. The gray rock faces of the crater become washed with pinks and scar let's and the steams metamorphose through the spectrum right in front of your very eyes.

Wildlife such as the Klipslingers gazelle and Hyraxes that inhabits on rocks and crags can sometimes be seen, sparse vegetation is scattered around, birds and butterflies fly from place to place.

After all of our explorations and photography are almost complete we start our descent by the same route.

With the sun on its zenith, the heat beats down relentlessly on the exposed, treeless Lengai. Be prepared for sliding, stumble gating on the way,the final half of the descent is quite slippery, grabbing bits of vegetation along might help to break the momentum.

The vehicle will be waiting with more drinking water at the base before heading back to our camp. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and swimming in the clear river nearby, power shower then head back to dine and sleep at the camp.

DAY: 3. After a well deserved night rest and a full stomach breakfast, the sense of achievement starts to sink in. Retracing our route across the rift valley you will look up the peak of Ol'doinyo Lengai with new perspective and respect. “Thank Ngai for allowing you to visit his mountain and escape to tell the experience”. Depending on the itinerary, we may drive to the Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro calderas for half a day game drive before returning to Moshi or Arusha.