Attractions at Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is a dormant Strato Volcano located South-East of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. It is thought to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name is derived from the Masai word oloonong’ot, meaning “Mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges”. Mount Longonot is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service as part of Mount Longonot National Park.
The Nature
A forest of small trees covers the Crater Floor, and small steam vents are found spaced around the walls of the Crater. The Mountain is home to various species of Wildlife, notably Zebra and Giraffe and Buffaloes (droppings on the rim) and Hartebeest. Leopards have also been reported but are extremely difficult to spot.
Wildlife
Major wildlife attractions include Buffaloes, Elands, Lion, Leopard, Bushbucks, common Zebra, Giraffe, Grant Gazelles, Thomson Gazelles, and many other Antelopes. Other attractions include the extinct Volcano and the crater forest, views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley.
The trails
This day hiking is of moderate difficulty with steep climbing.
The terrain has fine dust, with loose gravel in some areas of the hike. You should bring with you comfortable hiking shoes, light clothing, and drinking water.
The counter-clockwise ascent is steeper. It might be a good idea to do it clock-wise because in the dust it is easier to walk the steeper sections downhill. The trails are very impressive, with a great view, and the number of wildlife and birds are occasionally spotted along the way. The hike is worth will. A trail runs from the Park entrance up to the Crater Rim and continues in a loop encircling the Crater. The whole tour is only about 8–9 km long but very steep so that the round trip of park gate – Longonot Peak – Park gate takes around 5 hrs hiking.
The crater.
As you heave yourself over the rim of the crater, your reward is the awesome sight of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley and you know that it was all worthwhile. The view is really so much rewarding that you won’t believe yourself being here, as you have the whole world at a glance.
Activity Options
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Biking
- Walking
- Viewing Lake Naivasha