Located in the heart of Kenya’s great rift valley, mount Longonot national park is a stratovolcano that stands tall, boasting breathtaking views of lake Naivasha and the surrounding landscape. The park’s name, derived from the Maasai language, translates to “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges,” which aptly describes its unique geography.
Mount lonGnot national park, established in 1984, covers an area of 52 square kilometers and is protected by the Kenya wildlife services. The park’s diverse landscape features a dormant volcano, crater forest, and scenic valleys, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Top attractions
Mount longnot and the crater rim
Mount longnot is the main attraction in the park, standing at an altitude of 2776 meters, the mountain derived its name from a local slug, oloonong’ot meaning “mountains of many spurs”. The mountain features a rugged terrain and a crater on its top.
The crater is 8*12 caldera that came into existence as a result of volcanic activities over 21000years ago. The crater is dominated by forest which create a splendid scenery, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, the crater rim is a must-visit attraction. Witness the geothermal steam emanating from fissures along the rim, a reminder of the volcanic activity that once shaped this land.
Mount longnot and the crater are found 3.1km from the park’s min entrance.
Wildlife
The park is home to a variety of wildlife species, these animals live in both the forested crater and the short grass regions of the park. Some of the wildlife found in mount longnot national park including buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, eland, baboons, leopards, bush bucks, grant gazelles, impalas, hartebeests
birds.
Mount longnot national park is a paradise for birds, especially the rift valley birds, it is home to over 100 bird species which inhabit the vegetational covers in the park. These include Verreaux’s eagle, lammergeier, common ostriches, fulvous whistling-duck, Egyptian goose, helmeted Guinee fowl, scaly francolin, speckled pigeon, red-eyed dove, mottled swift, common swift, Nyanza swift among others.
Activities
Mountaineering
This is one of the highlight activities done in mount longnot national park, it involves climbing to the rim of the mountain top walking through the rigged forested terrain. Starting from the park entrance, visitors get to hike a 3.1 km trail heading to the crater rim.
Hiking is both interesting and challenging as visitors are required to go through the steep and rocky side of the volcano. While at the top, visitors can decide on whether to embark on a 7. 3 kilometer walk around the crater. The whole hiking experience takes about 5-6 hours depending on one’s fitness.
Bird watching
With over 100 species of birds documented in the park, bird watching is a must-do activity. The park has been noted as one of the most awarding birding destinations in Kenya. The park’s forested area provides a perfect habitant for the rift valley birds. While on a birding safari in mount longnot national park, look out for bird species such as Verreaux’s eagle, lammergeier, common ostriches, fulvous whistling-duck, Egyptian goose, helmeted Guinee fowl, scaly francolin, speckled pigeon, red-eyed dove, mottled swift, common swift, Nyanza swift among others
Wildlife viewing
The park is not only known for habiting large populations of wild animals but also the one present in the park make your wildlife safari worth your time. Wildlife expedition in mount longnot national park gives opportunity to visitors to spot animals as they hike up to the rim.
Some of the animals sighted in the park include; buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, eland, baboons, leopards, bush bucks, grant gazelles, impalas, hartebeests.
Biking
This is another entertaining activity visitors engage in while on a safari to mount longnot national park. Biking in the park is done on a 2km circuit road that runs towards the volcanic lava flow. Bikes are usually provided and while you are biking, you will get chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you spot some wildlife along the way.
How much is park entrance to mount longnot national park
The park’s entrance fees to mount longnot national park are as follows:
| Category | Citizen (ksh) | Resident (ksh) | Non-resident (usd) |
| Adult | 300 | 300 | 26 |
| Child | 215 | 215 | 17 |
Getting there
Mount Longonot national park is accessible by road or air.
By road
Mount Longonot national park is conveniently accessible by car via a 90-kilometer tarmac road from Nairobi, making it an ideal day-trip or weekend getaway destination.
By air
Alternatively, take a domestic flight from Nairobi to the green park airstrip, followed by a short drive to the park’s gate.
What to take with you
Before embarking on your safari to mount Longonot national park, remember to pack the binoculars for wildlife viewing and scenic gazing, camera to capture stunning moments, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for sun protection, guidebook for insightful information on the park’s flora and fauna, mineral water bottle to stay hydrated, picnic items for a delightful outdoor meal and a camping equipment if you are planning an overnight stay
When to visit
Mount Longonot national park can be visited all year round, given that the park experiences favorable climatic conditions with no extreme season. However, the best time to visit is during the dry seasons (January to march and July to October) as the paths are dry, making hiking easier and offering clear views. Wildlife is also more easily spotted as animals gather around the water sources.
The wet season (April to June and November to December) is a good time for bird watching.
Where to stay
When visiting mount Longonot national park, you have several accommodation options to choose from:
Inside the park: olongonot campsite, located near the park entrance, this campsite offers basic facilities, including bathrooms, toilets, and showers. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.
Outside the park include; lake Naivasha Sopa lodge, lake Naivasha country club, Masada hotel, Emini pasha lodge, lake Naivasha panorama park, among others.
Remember to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure availability.
In conclusion, mount Longonot national park is a treasure trove of adventure, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just looking for a day trip from Nairobi, this park is sure to leave you in awe. Plan your trip to mount Longonot national park or any Kenyan national park with vibrant holiday safaris for a memorable adventure.