Mt. Longonot Day Hike

A Mt. Longonot day hike is a great way to kick off your journey to the mountains It is an ideal hike for all levels of hikers, as the mountain offers the option of turning back at the crater or going around it depending on your fitness level. Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, about 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. It stands at an elevation of 2,776 meters (9,098 feet) above sea level and is a popular destination for hiking and mountain climbing.

The hike starts at the KWS park gate and past the public campsite to Buffalo Point before you hit the staircase to the resting hut. past the hut, we take the inline to the crater rim. after taking in some views here, we will take an anticlockwise walk around the crater as we take the views on the mini-crater after the diversion, lake Naivasha and Nakuru at the summit. We will then proceed to the other side until we meet the start of the anticlockwise turn. This will be the start of our descent to the Gate and back to the car for our journey back to Nairobi.

Mt. Longonot Day Hike Stats

Approximate Distance: 13.5km

Approximate Time: 9 Hours

Maximum Elevation: 2780m (At Mt. Longonot Summit)

Difficulty: No previous hiking experience but short routine fitness activities will ease your strain.

What to Wear During the Hike

    • Fleece hat or a baseball cap.
    • Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, wind jacket, hiking pants or gym wear).
    • Comfortable hiking boots (should be at least one size bigger than your standard shoe size. A sports shoe can do, but watch your grip due to the loose sand on this trail).
    • Sunscreen or Arimis petroleum jelly.

In Your Backpack, Have

    • At least 2(if possible 3) liters of water (use a water bladder or a reusable bottle). Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed inside parks.
    • Snacks such as biscuits, nuts, fruits, crisps, etc.
    • A hiking pole.
    • A raincoat/poncho.

It is Also Advisable to Have

    • A set of clothes to change into after the hike (sometimes, too much sweating could make you uncomfortable, and weather changes are unexpected).

Click here for more details on preparing for this hike and the steps to take to ease the after-hike effects.

Ticket & Booking Mt. Longonot Hike

Citizens/Residents: KES 3000 (Scroll to the “Book Event” section for tickets)

Non-Residents: USD 55 (Click Here to Pay in USD)

Residents can alternatively reserve a slot by paying at least Kes.1500 using these instructions and clearing the balance before departure. Hikers Arena Refund Policy applies.

Click here to see the ticket inclusions & definitions.

Trip Itinerary

Meeting point: Opposite outside International House Kencom (Nairobi CBD)

    • 5.15 am: Boarding opens
    • 5.30 am: Departure for Mount Longonot
    • 6.45 am: Arrival at Mount Longonot & Registrations
    • 7.00 am: Hike starts
    • 4.00 pm: Departure for Nairobi

N/B: The departure time back to Nairobi is subject to the day’s team and could be earlier or later than estimated.

Inquiries and Updates

For inquiries and updates, click here. We also recommend you join the Hikers Arena Community Whatsapp group (Click here to join) to keep up to date with our activities and upcoming events.

Hiking Mt Longonot

The Excitement

I was excited to join Hikers Arena on a Mt Longonot hike. Most of my friends had already been there before but it was my first time. Mt Longonot is a stratovolcano located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya.

The journey from the pick-up point in Nairobi to Mt Longonot National Park, where the mountain is located, took about two hours by car. Along the way, we stopped at Maai Mahiu viewpoint to use the washrooms and enjoy the beautiful sunrise.

As we approached the mountain, I was in awe of its majesty and its sheer challenge. The entrance to Mt Longonot National Park was lined with intriguing artwork, including the skulls of buffaloes that once roamed the area. Our guides, who were with Hikers Arena, advised us not to rush and to take our time, as we were not in a competition.

Safety and Start

As a beginner hiker, I was grateful for the guidance and support of the Hikers Arena team. They provided important safety tips for the hike, such as wearing warm clothing, jackets, socks, and a hat. These were handy since it was chilly when we started but turned hot and windy by midday. 

The ascent up the mountain was slow, steady, and increasingly challenging as we went higher. We passed a spot called Buffalo Point, where buffaloes like to gather and eat the freshest vegetation. Unfortunately, we did not see any on this particular hike. Along the way, we could spot some wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, and Grant gazelles, who seemed undisturbed by our presence in the distance.

A sign of Hope

Finally, after about an hour of steep climbing, especially at the final approach, we reached the rim of the crater. The top views were breathtaking, with thick green forest in the crater, heavy fog across the rim, and panoramic views of the surrounding attraction sites. It was a moment when time seemed to stand still, and I was in awe of the area’s natural beauty.

We were encouraged to push ourselves further and walked around the crater rim. The trail was quite challenging, with some steep sections and rocky terrain. If you plan to go on a Mt Longonot hike here, it is important to be in good physical condition and wear sturdy shoes. Bringing plenty of water and sunscreen is also important, as the hike can be strenuous and the sun can be intense. 

As we made our way along the crater rim, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. The mountain’s summit, Kilele Ngamia, offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

Mount Longonot Hike by Hikers Arena

The Summit

We then reached the end of the rim and descended to the starting point.

In total, the length Mt Longonot hiking trail is about 13.5 km. It is 3.1km from the gate to the crater rim, 7.2km going around the crater rim, and 3.1km descending back to the gate. 

The peak of Mount Longonot stands at 2,776 meters and is named after the Maasai word “Oloonong’ot,” which means “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges.” It was a truly memorable and rewarding experience to hike up this magnificent mountain. And I was grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. 

Overall, I had a fantastic time on the Mount Longonot hike with Hikers Arena. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Kenya.