Explore the stunning Mt Longonot in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Discover its rich wildlife, hiking trails, and breathtaking crater views.
Mount Longonot offers an easy, short-day hike. A day trip from the surroundings can be arranged to climb Mount Longonot. Hiking and walking safaris in Kenya.
Overview.
Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa. Thought to have last erupted in the 1860s. Longonot is derived from the Maasai word oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges”. Kenya Wildlife Service protects the mountain as part of Mount Longonot National Park. A 3.1 km trail runs from the park entrance up to the crater rim. 7.2 km loop encircling the crater’s rim. A full trip (gate-around the rim-gate) of 13.5km takes about 4–5 hours, allowing for necessary rest breaks. The trail consists of parts that are heavily eroded and very steep. The gate lies at 2,150m asl, while the peak of Ngamia is at 2,780m asl. The jagged rim involves substantially more than the 630-metre vertical difference.
The crater
The crater’s floor has a forest cover of small trees. The crater has small steam vents spaced around the walls of the crater. The mountain is home to various species of wildlife, notably zebras, giraffes, buffaloes (droppings on the rim) and hartebeests. The elusive cat, the leopard, has also been reported, although they are challenging to spot. Mount Longonot is 60 kilometres northwest of Nairobi and may be reached by a tarmac road from Nairobi in about an hour’s time. The nearby town is also named Longonot. The Longonot satellite earth station is located south of the mountain.
Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot National Park is a protected area surrounding Mount Longonot, the dormant volcano in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. Established in 1983, the park covers an area of about 52 square kilometres (20 square miles). Its primary attraction is the volcanic crater, which is easily accessible via hiking trails.
The park offers various activities for visitors, with hiking being the most popular. The trail to the crater rim is well-marked and relatively easy to navigate, making it suitable for hikers of various skill levels. The hike typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to ascend to the rim, where hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to hiking, other activities in the park include birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. While the park is not known for its large mammals, it is home to a variety of smaller animals such as buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and several species of antelope. Bird enthusiasts can also spot numerous bird species, including various raptors and migratory birds.