Full Day Mount Longonot Hiking

Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa. It is thought to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name is derived from the Maasai word Oloonong'ot, meaning "mountains of many spurs" or "steep ridges". The highlight of Mount Longonot is its impressive crater, which is believed to have formed thousands of years ago during volcanic activity. The rim offers awe-inspiring views of the crater floor and the surrounding Rift Valley. You can hike around the rim and marvel at the unique geological formations.

Mount Longonot has a caldera that was formed over 20000 years ago by trachytic lava eruptions. The crater is surrounded by vents spread across its walls, and the crater floor is covered by a forest of small trees. Mt Longonot peak stands at 2780m and is on a rim of a small caldera that is submerged by a lava cone. Mt Longonot last erupted in 1863 when there were lava flows on the northern flank of the mountain. The mountain is a young dormant volcano that is located less than two hours drive from Nairobi and provides both Nakuru and Nairobi residents and non-residents with a great full day outdoors adventure hike.

Longonot hike typically takes 4–6 hours. The 3.1-kilometer trail up the mountain from the gate to the rim of the crater takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on one's competence and fitness. Once you reach the rim, you have the choice to descend or hike all the way around the crater. If you choose to circumnavigate the crater rim, you will have added some 7.2 km to the hike. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 hours to over this 7.2 kilometers.

• Altitude:2780m/9121ft
• Total Distance: 6.2km up and back, 13.5km including rim hike
• Duration: 3-6 hours hiking time
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Advanced
• Location: Naivasha, Kenya, within Mount Longonot National Park
• Mount Longonot Entrance Fee:$20 USD,
• Opening Times: 6AM-6PM every day

What you need to have with you:

1. Fleece Marvin/hat or a baseball cap.
2. Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, hiking pants, fleece jacket)
3. Raincoat/poncho.
4. Comfortable hiking boots (should be one size bigger than your standard shoe size)
5. Sunscreen.

Full Day Mount Longonot Hiking

Full Day Mount Longonot Hiking involves traveling by road along a busy highway from Nairobi to the gate of Longonot National Park. Typically, this trip starts with an early morning pick-up from your hotel or a designated meeting point in Nairobi. From there, you will embark on a scenic drive don the Great Rift Valley to Mount Longonot National Park, which is located about 80 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.

Upon arrival at the park, you will begin your ascent of Mount Longonot, a dormant stratovolcano that rises to an elevation of 2,776 meters above sea level. The hike to the summit is challenging but rewarding, offering stunning views of the Great Rift Valley and the surrounding landscape.

The climb typically takes about 3–4 hours, depending on your fitness level and pace. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes that inhabit the park.

Once you reach the summit, you can take in the breathtaking panoramic views and enjoy a well-deserved rest while taking photos and soaking in the natural beauty of the area.

After descending the mountain, you will have a picnic lunch at the base before heading back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. All-in-all, a Mount Longonot climbing tour from Nairobi offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Kenya and challenge yourself with a rewarding hike.

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