Mount Longonot National Park is situated in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, southwest of Lake Naivasha, close to Hell’s Gate National Park. The park is renowned for its scenic views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, and its surroundings, covering an area of 52 square kilometers.
The park is home to the stunning stratovolcano, Mount Longonot, found within the park. The name Longonot is derived from a local Maasai word translated to mean “mountain of many steep ridges.” Mount Longonot rises to an elevation of 2,776 meters above sea level.
Entry Fees The entry fee for Mount Longonot for Kenyan adult citizens and foreign resident adults is 300 KES, while both Kenyan citizens’ children and foreign resident children will pay 215 KES. Foreign non-resident adults pay $30, and their children will pay $20. Park entry fees are subject to change by the Kenya Wildlife Service from year to year, so make sure to confirm the latest entry fee.
History In 1893, European geologist G.W. Gregory became the first European to reach the actual summit of Mount Longonot. Joseph Thompson made the first recorded attempt to the rim of Mount Longonot in 1884 and was astounded by the view, feeling an “almost irresistible impulse” to explore the chasm.
Mount Longonot National Park was established in 1984, covering an area of 52 square kilometers.
Mount Longonot is said to have last erupted in the 1860s, with eruptions believed to have started about 21,000 years ago, leading to the formation of a caldera. The current summit was developed from an earlier caldera, whose cone is capped by a 1.8-kilometer crater.
Geodetic activity was registered from 2004 to 2006, demonstrating the presence of active magmatic activity beneath the volcano. Lava eruptions still occur on the flanks of the volcano and the caldera floor, with several parasitic cones. The volcanism of Mount Longonot is dominated by pyroclastic deposits and trachytic basalt lavas.
Some people say that “The Legend of She,” written by Sir H. Rider Haggard, was inspired by an existing tunnel running through from inside the crater to the southern outside plains of the park.
Location Mount Longonot is located about 60 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Upon reaching the park entrance, there is a 3.1-kilometer trail passing through the park to the crater rim, and you can then encircle the crater through a 7-kilometer loop. You can also fly to the park through Naivasha and then drive to the park.
Best Time to Visit Mount Longonot National Park can be visited all year round, but the most favorable time is during the drier months of December to February and June to September. During these months, the hiking and climbing trails are not muddy and slippery, making it easier to traverse. Additionally, the views are more spectacular without being blocked by fog or dew. In the dry seasons, you will also be able to spot more wildlife as the vegetation is not as thick.
Accommodation There is only one accommodation in Mount Longonot National Park, the Oloongonot Campsite. If you prefer to stay outside the park, you can find accommodations in the nearby town of Naivasha. The campsite provides basic facilities such as a tent, running water, and toilets.
Animals Though Mount Longonot cannot be compared with other Kenyan national parks in terms of diverse wildlife, there are some animals that live on the mountain slopes, including hartebeests, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, Thomson’s gazelles, elands, klipspringers, hyraxes, mountain reedbucks, bushbucks, leopards, lions, and Grant’s gazelles, to name a few.
What to Do
Mountain Climbing Climbing Mount Longonot is the main tourist activity done by visitors to the park. The climb is strenuous and steep but manageable. There are several climbing routes, and you can descend on a different one. Although some travelers climb solo, you’re required to have a guide from the park headquarters so that the guide can expound on the formation of the mountain, help you identify different bird species, and also be able to talk more about plant species.
Hiking For those who don’t want to climb to the summit, the park has established several hiking trails for you to explore.
Guided Nature Walks Guided nature walks are another way to explore Mount Longonot National Park’s flora and fauna. This also gives you an opportunity to identify some plant species and several bird species as well as some wildlife, especially primates.
Birding Mount Longonot National Park is a birders’ paradise, especially well-known for birds of prey. There are over 100 species of birds recorded in the park. These include Hildebrandt’s francolin, helmeted guineafowl, red-eyed dove, Egyptian goose, black-headed heron, ring-necked dove, montane nightjar, fulvous whistling duck, lappet-faced vulture, rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, black kite, mottled swift, Horus swift, scissor-tailed kite, steppe eagle, spur-winged lapwing, Verreaux’s eagle, Montagu’s harrier, Kori bustard, scaly francolin, African grey hornbill, Augur buzzard, common hoopoe, common scimitarbill, and Hadada ibis, among others.
All travelers intending to hike and do mountain climbing are advised to carry enough drinking water, waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, energy snacks, and a light raincoat. Birders shouldn’t forget their binoculars and cameras. Please note that plastic bottles are not allowed in the park, so you must carry your personal reusable water bottle.
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is another thrilling activity at Mount Longonot National Park. There is a 2-kilometer circuit established for bikers to intermingle within the wilderness as you come across lots of primates and birds.
Rock Climbing Rock climbing at Mount Longonot can be done on the crater walls but requires technical skills and experienced persons. You must also bring your climbing gear.
Attractions/What to See
Mount Longonot Mount Longonot can be climbed in a one-day trip. It’s an 8-9 kilometer long climb but very steep and strenuous. The round trip can take about 5-6 hours depending on the pace of hikers. The park can arrange a picnic lunch, which you can enjoy overlooking the crater.
Mount Longonot Caldera Crater One of the main attractions at Mount Longonot National Park is the beautiful caldera of 8 by 12 kilometers squared, formed about 21,000 years ago from several eruptions of trachytic lava. The crater floor is covered with various trees, creating superb views. There are established trails for hikers and climbers to use, but note that it can get very steep at some points, so you need to be physically fit to complete the climb.
Superb Views On clear days, the top of Mount Longonot provides some of the most stunning views of the Mau Escarpment, Lake Naivasha, Aberdare Plains, the Great Rift Valley, and its lush green surroundings. The breathtaking views are some of the most beautiful you will ever see, and pictures cannot fully capture the beauty of Mount Longonot.
Lake Naivasha National Park Lake Naivasha is one of the highest Rift Valley lakes in Kenya with a variable depth. Tourists can combine a Mount Longonot National Park trip with Lake Naivasha National Park, dominated by Lake Naivasha, which is the highest Rift Valley lake among the Great Lakes. The name Naivasha is derived from a local Maasai word translated to “Nai’posha,” meaning “rough water.”
There are a lot of exciting tourist activities to do in Naivasha, such as boat cruises, game viewing, horseback riding safaris, birding, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, Elsamere, Lake Naivasha, and Crescent Island.
Olkaria Volcanic Complex The Olkaria Volcanic Complex is situated west of Mount Longonot National Park and is made up of about 80 peralkaline rhyolitic centers. The Olkaria region is geothermally active and is currently being used to generate electric power in Kenya.
Suswa Caves The stunning Suswa Caves are located on Mount Suswa, close to Mount Longonot. Though less visited and not famous among visitors to Mount Longonot National Park, Mount Suswa is made up of beautiful caves all over. The caves are home to baboons and bats but are also significant to the neighboring Maasai communities because some young boys being transformed into adults are sent to spend nights in the caves to show their bravery as they enter adulthood before the initiation ceremony.
Hell’s Gate National Park Hell’s Gate National Park is a spectacular national park not located far from Mount Longonot. The park is named after a narrow break in the volcanic cliffs. Hell’s Gate is famous for its spectacular scenery of water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, plumes of geothermal steam, scrub-clad volcanoes, nesting cliffs, and hot springs.
Hell’s Gate National Park also offers various activities like bird watching, game viewing, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and much more.
