Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot National Park
One of the least known yet most fulfilling hiking and adventure spots in Kenya is the Mount Longonot National Park, which is only 60km northwest of Nairobi. Mount Longonot is a must-visit destination, especially as a day trip for travellers interested in seeing the natural beauty of Kenya without having to deal with the busy Kenya safari routes. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a family seeking a moderately difficult outdoor activity, including Mount Longonot in your Kenya travel list is worthwhile.
The Mount Longonot: An Exclusive Volcano Scenery
Mount Longonot is an inactive stratovolcano that towers 2,776 metres above sea level, and the last eruption was estimated to have occurred during the 1860s. The most prominent feature of the volcano is its huge crater, which measures approximately 8 km in diameter, parts of which are covered by forest and are inhabited by different animals. Longonot is named after Maasai Oloonongot, which is a term that means ‘mountains of many spurs’ or ‘steep ridges’, which describes the rough and dramatic topography in the area.
The expectations of hiking Mount Longonot
The main activity at the park is hiking Mount Longonot, which has both local and international hikers. The hike begins at the park gate, which is approximately 2,150 meters and climbs steeply on a 3.1-kilometre trail to the crater rim. The rim offers you an opportunity to take a hike around the crater, which is about a 7.2km loop or you can relax and view the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and the escarpments.
The walk is not too difficult—4-6 hours in total, depending on your fitness and the frequency of stopping to take photos or rest. The rim trail is steep in some sections with loose volcanic ash and rocks, so good hiking shoes, water and a sun hat are a must on your Mount Longonot hike.
Mount Longonot National Park Wildlife Encounters
The wildlife found in Mount Longonot National Park ranges freely in the forested crater and the lower slopes. During the hiking, the visitors may observe giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and even gazelles grazing in the open spaces of this park. It is also a good place to watch birds, as you can see Verreaux eagles, buzzards and other raptors fly along the rim of the crater, and it is a good place to take photographs of wildlife around Nairobi.
The Mount Longonot Unique Appeal
Mount Longonot is an active adventure travel opportunity in a national park environment, unlike most of the parks in Kenya that are game drive orientated. Its hiking, panoramic scenery and wildlife viewing make it a perfect destination for visitors who want to combine their Kenya safaris with outdoor activities.
It is close to Nairobi and you can easily add a Mount Longonot day hike to include nearby Lake Naivasha, Hell Gate National Park or the geothermal spa at Olkaria and have a complete Rift Valley experience on a weekend.
When to Visit Mount Longonot National park
The most favourable times to hike Mount Longonot are during the dry seasons, which normally range between June and October and January and February, when the trails are less slippery and the views are clear. Hiking in the early hours of the morning is highly recommended to avoid the day’s heat, allowing you more time to enjoy the trek and appreciate the beauty of the landscape and wildlife.
The Kenya Wildlife Service collects park fees for Mount Longonot, and the latest prices may be reviewed on their official site or at the gate at the time of your visit.
Tips to Your Mount Longonot Hike
1. Fitness Preparation: Mount Longonot is not the most difficult trek in Kenya, but it is not one that one can take without a reasonable level of fitness, as it is steep and has rocky surfaces.
2. What to Bring: Carry water (at least 2 litres), snacks, a hat, sunscreen, good shoes and a camera to capture the spectacular views.
3. Guides and Safety: The trail is well marked, but it is recommended that you hire a local guide in case you intend to hike along the crater rim.
4. Early Start: Hike early before the heat and the crowd so that you can complete before the afternoon heat sets in.
5. Add-On Other Destinations: You can combine your Mount Longonot hike with a trip to Lake Naivasha to take boat rides and birdwatching and to Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate National Park to cycle and go on nature walks.
Hotels and Lodging Around Mount Longonot
Whereas most of the visitors prefer a day tour to Nairobi, it is more relaxing to spend time around Lake Naivasha. Naivasha has many lodges, campsites, and budget guest houses, which give a variety of options to travellers interested in spending a weekend in Mount Longonot and its environs. Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Camp Carnelley, and Naivasha Kongoni Lodge are some of the most popular choices that can give close access to Mount Longonot National Park and the Rift Valley region in general.
Why Mount Longonot Should be in Your Kenya Bucket List
Mount Longonot National Park provides a fresh outlook on Kenyan travel, combining hiking, wildlife, and panoramas in a manner that is friendly to all travellers’ budgets. It is a great place to visit for photographers, adventure travellers, and families who want a nature-orientated activity beyond the usual game drives.
Mount Longonot is a relatively little-known but extremely worthwhile destination in the range of travel opportunities available in Kenya, due to the combination of dramatic volcanic terrain, wildlife experiences, and the challenge of reaching the summit of a Rift Valley volcano.
Book your Mount Longonot Adventure
When you plan a Kenya safari or a long visit to Nairobi, you should include Mount Longonot National Park in your list for a single-day hike or a weekend adventure. It is cheap, unforgettable, and easy to reach Kenya’s Rift Valley scenery, making your travel plans dynamic and nature-orientated.
Your local Kenya tour operator can be contacted to take you on guided Mount Longonot hikes, transport you, and provide combined packages with Lake Naivasha and Hell Gate National Park. So, be it wildlife, landscapes, or cultural immersion, Mount Longonot will provide you with memories of the amazing scenery you can view and a feeling of accomplishment when you stand on the rim of the crater and look down the huge Rift Valley.
