Mount Longonot National Park

Mount Longonot is a fascinating dormant volcano that dominates the beautiful landscape of the Lake Naivasha region of Kenya. Rising to a lofty 2700m above sea level (750m above the surrounding landscape), The name Longonot is derived from the Masai word “oloongonot” which refers to the shape of the rim and means "Mountain of Many Spurs”. The proximity of Mount Longonot National Park to Nairobi (about 2 hour by road - depending on traffic) makes this park a perfect weekend destination for nature-lovers, and it can even be visited and explored on a day-trip from the nation’s capital Mount Longonot provides hikers with an interesting and challenging hike culminating at one of the best views in Kenya! Pull on those hiking boots, grab the sunscreen and come with us to explore one of Kenya’s Mountain National Parks.

Activities in Mount Longonot

• Hiking-Mount Longonot is one of the only hiking destinations in Kenya where you have the rare opportunity to hike up to an awesome viewpoint on the rim of a volcano, in just an hour or two (depending on your fitness levels).  Starting from the park gate, there is a 3.1km trail up to the crater rim. Now, although 3.1km sounds like a piece of cake to any seasoned hiker, Mount Longonot is here to challenge your perceptions!  Here you will be climbing almost vertically up the steep and rocky side of a volcano!  It is a grueling hike, and you do need to be reasonably fit to accomplish it, but the view from the rim and the sense of achievement make all the effort worthwhile.  Once you reach the rim you have the option of walking all along the circumference of the caldera, which is a further 7,2km, and will give you amazing views all the way around.
• Wildlife Viewing-Although there is a fair selection of wildlife inside the Mount Longonot National Park you may be luck to see some wild animals from a distance including antelopes, zebras among others. Most of the animals live down in the dense forest inside the crater, and are quite shy. Birdlife is abundant, and there are many raptors to be seen from the rim of the volcano, including Verreaux’s Eagle, and the Lammergeyers.

What to see in Mount longonot National Park

• The Views-The views from the rim of the volcano are dramatic!  From your elevated perch you will get a perfect birds-eye view over a large section of the amazing southern Rift Valley, all the way to Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains in the distance. Beautiful Lake Naivasha will also be beckoning, as will Hell’s Gate National Park, both of which you can visit when you leave Mount Longonot.
• The Wildlife-You may be lucky enough to see a selection of wildlife on your way up to the rim, and those who venture into the forested crater should also be on the lookout for: Buffalo, Zebra, Giraffe, Antelope, Baboons, Leopard 
• Birds-A good selection of Rift Valley birds may be spotted including a host of raptors which can be viewed catching the thermals over the crater.  Look out for Verreaux’s Eagle and Lammergeier in particular.
• The Geothermal Vents-Look out for geothermal steam escaping from several fissures around the crater rim, a reminder of the energy trapped beneath your feet.

Where to Stay at Mount Longonot National Park

There is no accommodation inside the park, with the exception of the Oloongonot Campsite, which is situated just inside the park gates, along the access road to the crater.  The campsite provides just the basics – place to pitch a tent, a toilet and running water.  You will have to bring everything you need with you.

At Lake Naivasha there are several choices of accommodation.