Are you ready to face Mount Longonot National Park Kenya, one of Kenya’s most thrilling hikes? With Naicef, this guide shows this steep stratovolcano that rises from the Great Rift Valley with rugged ridges and a giant crater rim that tests every visitor’s strength.
Many ask, “Where is Mt Longonot located?” Just 60 km northwest of Nairobi, Longonot National Park is easy to reach yet promises an adventure that feels far away from the city.
Before you begin, it’s important to know the Mt Longonot entrance fee and all the details of the hike are covered in this amazing guide by Naicef.
For a personalized tour, write to my@naicef.com or call +254799922277 and let Naicef make your adventure at Mount Longonot National Park unforgettable. You can also;
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Experience the unparalleled beauty of Kenya’s stratovolcano mountainous park. With its striking V-shaped ridges and valleys adorned with minimal vegetation, this extraordinary landscape is a must-visit destination. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery that showcases the raw power of nature.
Mount Longonot National Park is also one of the national parks in Kenya, offering a sheer adventure experience.
History of Mount Longonot National Park Kenya
Mount Longonot is thought to have erupted in the 1860s, forming calderas.
The name comes from a Maasai word, Oloonong’ot, which means ‘steep ridges’ / ‘mountains of many spurs’.
Mount Longonot National Park was established in 1984 and is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Where Is Mt Longonot Located?
The park is located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. The park covers an area of 52 sq. km. The gate elevation is 2,150 meters, and the peak at 2,776 meters above sea level.
There is a 3.1-kilometre trail from the park entrance to the crater, going beyond in a 7.2-kilometre loop encircling the crater.
The park is strategically located to turn your Nairobi day tour visit to Lake Nakuru National Park or Hell’s Gate National Park. Better yet, you can go as far as the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Accessing Mount Longonot National Park
The park is accessed by road, which is 90 kilometres, on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
By air, the park can be accessed via flight from Wilson Airport, Nairobi, to Green Park airstrip. From the airstrip, drive to the gate a distance of 71 km, taking 34 minutes to the park.
Mt Longonot Entrance Fee
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service’s website, these are the Mt Longonot National Park charges:
(i) Mt Longonot Entrance Fee For Kenya Reidents
- Adults- KES 675
- Children- KES 350
(ii) Mt Longonot Entrance Fee For EAC Citizens
- Adults- KES 500
- Children- KES 250
(iii) Mt Longonot Entrance Fee for the Rest of Africa
- Adult- USD 20
- Child- USD 10
(iv) Mount Longonot National Park entrance fees for International Visitors
- Adult- USD 50
- Child – USD 25
Special Services/ Activities
Guide/ park ranger
Up to 4 hours- KES 2,000
Over 4 hours- KES 4,000
Attractions In Mount Longonot National Park
What to see in Mount Longonot National Park includes:
1. The crater of Mount Longonot
From the rim top of the crater, there is a perfect view of geothermal steam from other fissures along the crater’s rim. There is dense forest cover at the caldera, great for wildlife.
2. Wildlife in Mount Longonot National Park
Animals in Mount Longonot National Park include buffaloes, elands, Leopards, gazelles, antelopes, zebras and primates such as Baboons.
Being at the Rift Valley, there are resident birds, including Verreaux’s Eagle and Lammergeier. Are you a bird lover? Check out some of our bird-watching destinations in Kenya and even some of our amazing tours:
The wildlife is seen on your way up to the rim, so be sure to spot these and many more animals, because the only way is up!
3. Park’s scenery in Mount Longonot National Park
The most beautiful scenes of the park are from the rim of the volcano. There are landscape views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley all the way to the Aberdare Mountains and Mount Kenya.
Hell’s Gate National Park is also worth seeing and can be a great destination to tour after the sheer adventurous experience of this park.
See our amazing tours:
- 1 Day Hells Gate Geothermal & Naivasha
- 3 Days Spa & Wellness Retreat Package
- 4 Days Nakuru Naivasha Holiday Safari
Activities & Things To Do In Mount Longonot National Park
What to do in Mount Longonot National Park? There are several things to do in the park, and they include
1. Hiking in Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot National Park hike is a common activity to fit into your Nairobi day tour. Depending on your fitness, it takes 5 hours to hike up to the rim.
It is recommended to get ready to take up the challenge, so that you are prepared and physically fit to hike to the rim.
This is because it is one of the most challenging hiking trails in Kenya.
Once at the top of the rim, you can opt to walk along the caldera’s perimeter, which is 7.2 kilometres, and is rewarding.
For the risk-taking adventurers and hikers who need to venture into the caldera, get permission from the park ranger since this part is dangerous.
Here is one of our fascinating hiking tour to Mount Longonot that you can check out:
| Time | Activity | Caption |
| 5:30 am | Nairobi Pick-up (Hotel/CBD) /airport | Boarding |
| 6:00 am | Checking out | Briefing & departure. Set off for Mount Longonot. |
| 6:45 am | Make a quick stopover at the Rift Valley viewpoint. | Rift Valley view and photography |
| 7:15 am | Gate arrival and warming up. Climbing Mount Longonot, adventure, bird watching, wildlife spotting | Ascending views & Wild animal viewing Photography & Scenic views |
| 9:30 am | Peak arrival
| Cooling breeze and crater view Panoramic view & relaxation |
| 10:30 am | Hiking around the Mt Longonot crater | Wildlife and nature touch |
| 11:30 am | Descending the mountain
| Descending captions and wildlife spotting |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch | Social games and photo sharing |
| 2:00 pm | Debriefing & departure for Nairobi | Traversing |
| 3:00 pm | Nairobi Drop off (Hotel/CBD) | Hugs & cheers! |
2. Biking/ Cycling
Cycling is done in the park along the circuit road towards the volcanic lava flow, about 2 kilometres. The bikes are available for hire.
3. Wildlife Viewing
From the rim of the volcano, be sure to spot the park’s wildlife. Most of the animals inhabit the densely forested area inside the crater and can be seen clearly.
The best time to view wildlife in Mount Longonot National Park is from January to April and from September to December.
Here are also some of the amazing packages to enjoy the up-close views of various wild animals:
- 3 Days Masai Mara Safari Packages
- 3 Days Amboseli National Park Luxury Safari
- 3-Days Samburu Stargazing Tour Package
- 3 Days Aberdare National Park safari
- 3 Days Tsavo National Park Packages
- 3 Days Ol Pejeta Package
- 4 Days Western Kenya Wildlife Safari
Accommodation In Mount Longonot National Park
Within the park, there’s no accommodation facility except in the nearby town of Naivasha. There is a campsite named Olongonot Campsite located just inside the park entrance.
Around Naivasha lie accommodation facilities like Lake Naivasha Country Club and Masada Hotel.
But you could check out the best Airbnbs in Naivasha.
What to pack for a visit to Mount Longonot National Park?
Below are the items to carry with you for a comfortable experience
- Water in a recycled bottle
- Binoculars
- Hiking gears
- Picnic items
- Camera- beautiful scenery here!
- Camping equipment, especially if you are spending the night in the park.
Book with Naicef for great deals on homestays and accommodations near Mount Longonot National Park.
Conclusion
This park is located in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. The best animals in this park include
- Gazelles
- Buffaloes
- Elands
- Primates like Baboons
- Verreaux Eagle
Naicef is the best tour company in Kenya because we focus on;
Customer Centricity: We curate the best tours according to each traveller.
Quality: We craft African experiences in quality for the best memorable safaris
Professionalism: Our professional team creates long-lasting relationships with all our travel partners.
For every safari/ tour you take with Naicef, you contribute to Sustainable tourism through our sustainable environmental and local community programs. Naicef focuses on raising responsible tourists.
Did you know Naicef is the best travel blog in Africa? Enjoy the Best Safari Travel Blog!
For the best mountaineering experience in Kenya, contact Naicef via my@naicef.com or +254799922277. You can also;
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