A Guide To Mt.Longonot National Park
Mt. Longonot National Park is about 90km from Nairobi. It is a young volcano which rises to 2,776m above sea level. Mt.Longonot National Park is an arresting sight for visitors to the Naivasha basin. Mt Longonot was created by the massive eruptions that formed the Great Rift Valley and has a beautiful V-shaped valley.
Quick Facts About Mt.Longonot National Park
Here is a List of Facts about Mt.Longonot National Park
- Altitude: 1,875-2,776 meters above sea level.
- Area: 52 sq km.
- Province: Rift Valley, close to Hells Gate National Park.
- Location: Naivasha
- Distance From Nairobi: 90km
- Gazetted: 1984
About Mt.Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot National Park is a Kenyan park that features a crater forest, views of the Great Rift Valley, and an extinct volcano. The Park is located in the Lake Naivasha region of Kenya, 60 km northwest of Nairobi, and Southeast of Lake Naivasha.
The park also provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, and others.
History of Mt.Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa, and was established in 1984 to protect the volcano’s ecosystem. It is thought to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name is emanated from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot, meaning “steep ridges” or “mountains of many spurs”.
The mountain is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service as part of Mount Longonot National Park. A 3.1 km trail ranges from the park entrance up to the crater rim and continues in a 7.2 km loop surrounding the crater. The whole tour (gate-around the rim-gate) of 13.5 km takes about 4–5 hours permitting for necessary rest breaks – parts of the trail are heavily corroded and very steep.
The gate height is around 2150 m and the peak at 2776 m but following the ragged rim involves substantially more than the 630 m vertical difference. The Mountain is also 60 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and may be reached from there by a tarmac road. A nearby town is also named Longonot and the Longonot satellite earth station is located south of the mountain.
Mt.Longonot National Park Activities
Here are the best activities to enjoy:
Hiking to the Summit of Mt. Longonot
- Climbing Mount Longonot offers a satisfying challenge and a sheer experience for those who love the outdoors. The hike can take between 3 to 6 hours depending on your pace, making it fit for a day trip. The relatively steep trail promises great views and a rather challenging terrain that will keep you engaged throughout the journey.
- The main hiking route to the crater rim is a 6 km round trip, while the full loop around the crater is 13.5 km. Generally, the hike is ranked as moderate to advanced in difficulty, making it a great option for adventurous hikers. Most hikers finish the trail in about 5 hours, though times may vary based on individual fitness levels.
- Also, for those looking to take on the full loop, we recommend hiking counter-clockwise around the crater, covering a distance of 7.2 km. About 2 kilometers into the hike, there is a false peak with a gazebo where you can take a well-deserved break.
Crater Rim Walk
- A 3.1 km trail runs from the park entrance up to the crater rim and continues in a 7.2 km loop surrounding the crater. The whole tour (gate-around the rim-gate) of 13.5 km takes about 4–5 hours allowing for necessary rest breaks – parts of the trail are heavily corroded and very steep.
Wildlife Viewing
- Longonot offers major wildlife attractions including buffalo, lion, leopard, bushbuck, zebra, giraffe, Grant’s and Thomson gazelles, and antelopes. The park is also a paradise for birds of prey.
Birdwatching
- Mount Longonot National Park is a paradise for Kenya bird-watching safaris with over 100 recorded bird species. Bird-watching tours in the park are enjoyed on the crater rim through the forested crater; offering abundant views of birds such as Kori bustard, Lesser Kestrel, Verreaux’s Eagle, and hornbills.
Photography & Scenic Views
You can capture the panoramic shots of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha on top of the mountain.
What To See At Mt.Longonot National Park
The extinct volcano and crater forest, scenic landscape, views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley are the major attractions. The park, 52sq km, is accessible via tarmac road from Nairobi. It does not operate on the smart card system and entry is by cash. There is no accommodation in the park although options are available in Naivasha town and on the South Lake Road.
The mountain has steep sparsely vegetated sides but the crater itself is densely forested. A fire in 2009 that swept up the sides and into the crater burned much of the forests, causing a great deal of stress for the animals that had to survive on the ravaged bush.
The Park also has some animals but it is more about the fascinating scenery and the hiking that the park is known for. Animals found in the park include Zebra, Giraffe, and Buffalo with Leopards known only from their tracks.
The main attractions of the park include the extinct volcano and crater forest and the views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley. It is also a great destination for birding – and in particular birds of prey.
Accommodation And Hotels At Mt.Longonot National Park
There are no accommodation facilities in the park itself but Naivasha town and surrounds have a range of options. The Olongoonot campsite does provide for those who prefer to rough it.
How to get to Mt. Longonot National Park
- The park is accessible via a tarmac road from Nairobi (90 km)
Campsites in Mt. Longonot National Park
- Camping has always been done at Olongonot Campsite, having the washroom service, and basic toiletries. The park also offers two campsites with complete ablution block toilets with showers for both men and ladies.
- Also, the equipment is available from Mt. Longonot Tour Guide – porters such as mattresses, sleeping bags, lamps, tents, blankets, and cooking equipment for hire.
Mt Longonot National Park Packages
Full-Day Hiking Tour from Nairobi
- If you want some exciting day trip outdoor activity from Nairobi, start your journey from Nairobi very early in the morning with a scenic drive, including a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint.
- Climb to the top of Mount Longonot on this moderately difficult day hike. The hike takes 3-4 hours round-trip, with sweeping views of the national park available from the summit. It is a superb hike that lets you experience the great wilderness of East Africa. You can also challenge yourself while meeting zebras, antelopes, and baboons
Day Tour to Mount Longonot Park from Nairobi
- The Park is located 90km from Nairobi city on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, and it serves as a hiking and mountain climbing that takes less than 3-4 hours to climb/hike up and down.
- It is one of the best adventure day trips from Nairobi. The Park is easy to get to and has the best sightseeing opportunities and one can look inside the mountain crater.
Overnight Tour to Longonot and Hell’s Gate
- This overnight tour packs several mini-adventures into one convenient tour. Travel to Mt. Longonot National Park with a stop to view the Great Rift Valley. Hike to a crater, take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, see wild animals in their natural habitat, and enjoy a bicycle tour in Hell’s Gate National Park.
- Most entrance fees and meals are included and pickup or drop-off from the Nairobi airport is available for an additional fee.
Mount Longonot National Park Entrance Fees
Citizen
- Adults KSH: 300
- Child KSH: 215
Resident
- Adults KSH: 300
- Child KSH: 215
Non – Resident
- Adults USD:26
- Child USD:17
Mt. Longonot National Park contacts
- Attraction Type: Wildlife, Scenery & Landscapes
- Category: National Park, Mountain, Volcano
- Region: South Rift
- City / Town: Naivasha
- Road / Street: Mai Mahiu Road
- Telephone: 254 50 50255
- Email: longonotnp@kws.go.ke
Where is Mt Longonot located?
Mount Longonot is located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa.