Hiking Mount Longonot (Kilele Ngamia)
Mount Longonot National Park was formed around Mount Longonot, a young dormant volcano. It was created during the volcanic eruptions that formed the Great Rift Valley. Hiking Mount Longonot is a thrilling experience in Kenya.
The name Longonot is derived from the Masai word Oloonong’ot meaning mountains of many spurs or steep ridges. Longonot park covers 52 km most of it being occupied Mt Longonot. The sides of the mountain have beautiful V-shaped valleys and ridges. The stony soils have little vegetation but the crater has an impenetrable forest.
The Real Hiking Adventure
The hike starts at the gate of Mount Longonot National Park with a briefing at the park headquarters’, and later you head off with your group and hike starting point, and simply follow the only trail. The hiking is inside the park, however, there is no guide with you (maybe your drive guide, may escort you along). You start the ascent at 6000 feet. Like all good uphill hikes, it will lull you into a sense of false security with a slow gentle rise to the first peak. This gives you a chance to get your lungs and limbs freed up for the second section, which is the most awesome. At the end of each section, there is a rest point where you can prepare yourself for the next part of your journey. You will have started early to avoid the heat of the Sun but by the time you reach the end of the second section, you would have generated your own heat. This hike is not an easy hike but is achievable by people of average fitness.
In the beginning, it is relatively flat but then a steeper section leads to the first viewpoint (2340m). From there it is not far to reach the rim which allows an impressive view into the crater (2560m and 3.1km).
Number of wildlife and bird species can be spotted along the hike, such as the Giraffe, Zebras, buffaloes, Gazelles, and view of Naivasha. 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 summit Mount Longonot (2780m) can be reached by following the crater rim, either clock-wise or counter-clockwise.
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 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 hours hiking. Hikers need to be reasonably fit to take part in this hike. The magnificent views from the crater rim itself are however worth every painful step and the effort. 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. When you get off the mountain, take a break at Mount Longonot National Park headquarters, before heading for your onward trip to either Lake Naivasha, or return to Nairobi.
Note:
The hike is inside a National Park, but no guide is required. You might be able to spot some zebras and gazelles from the far.
There is also a trail leading down into the crater.
Cry enough water and try to reach early so as to avoid much sun during the hot hour’s.
Stay safe
Though the animals are not considered dangerous in this area, you should be aware. Also, it is not allowed or recommended to enter the crater without a ranger. Leopards and other potentially harmful animals are to be expected.
Open:
Daily 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. including public holidays. Entry is allowed on foot, or in vehicles up to the parking bay, starting point for hiking. Also, there is a game road circuit to the lava flow 2 km road (for) small vehicles.