Mount Longonot National Park protects a stunning young stratovolcano rising 2,776 metres above the floor of the Great Rift Valley, just 90 kilometres from Nairobi. The park covers 52 square kilometres and is one of Kenya’s most popular hiking destinations.
The main activity is climbing to the crater rim and circumnavigating the 7.2-kilometre crater trail, which takes 3-5 hours. The steep ascent rewards hikers with spectacular panoramic views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, and on clear days, the distant peaks of the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya.
Inside the crater, a dense forest thrives in the sheltered environment, while steam vents on the crater floor remind visitors of the volcano’s geothermal activity. Buffalo, eland, giraffe, and various antelope species inhabit the park’s lower slopes.
Mount Longonot is an excellent day trip from Nairobi and pairs perfectly with a visit to nearby Lake Naivasha or Hell’s Gate National Park. The hike is moderately challenging and suitable for reasonably fit visitors.