Mount Longonot national park
Mount Longonot national park is stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift valley of Kenya, it is thought to have last erupted in the 1860’s and its name is delivered from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot, meaning ‘’ mountains of many spurs’’ or ‘’steep ridges’’. Mount Longonot is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Services as part of Mount Longonot National Park. The park covers an area of 52 square kilometres with a landscape standing at an elevation of 2,776 meters above the sea level, the landscape of the park is composed of Mount Longonot, V –shaped valley, ridges and little vegetation cover. The park was established in 1984.
Attractions in Mount Longonot National Park.
The extinct volcano and crater forest, scenic landscape with rewardable views of Lake Naivasha the Great Rift Valley, and also the paradise of birds of prey.
The crater rim of Mount Longonot.
While at the crater rim, you have a perfect view for the geothermal steam coming out from several fissures along the crater rim, then a reminder of the energy traps beneath your feet.
Wildlife and Birds.
The Mount Longonot national park offers the excellent selection of the wildlife which can be seen on your way up to the rim, and to those adventuring into the forested crater should also spot out animals like Buffalos, Giraffes, Zebra, several species of antelopes, Baboons and leopards but tracks are done inside the park. You can as well spot out notable number of Rift Valley birds such a host of raptors which can be viewed catching thermals over the crater, common birds in the park includes the Verreaux’s Eagle and Lammergeier.
Park’s Scenery.
The views from the volcano are rewarding, from the elevated perch you will get a gainful bird – eye view over a large section of the stunning southern Rift Valley, all the way to Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountains can be viewed in a distance, and the beautiful Lake Naivasha is also rewarding as well as Hell’s Gate National Park, both are impressive places can be visited after a tour to Mount Longonot since they are close to each other.
Activities done in Mount Longonot National Park.
Mountaineering.
Mount Longonot offers some of the best hiking experiences on the continent, with its great high rising ranges to the great peaks. The hike is an awesome challenge to the tourist but rewarding in the sense of fence the tourist reach the peak of the mountain are able to have a site of Lake Naivasha.
Cycling/ Biking.
Such an exciting experience as tourist go cycling on the step slows of the mountain ranges through the great wilderness of Mount Longonot National park, and can be able to spot a few animals species along the cycling tracks.
Bird watching.
Bird watching can be done at any area of the park, the birds always seen as Lammergeyer and Verreaux’s eagle among other birds.
Wildlife Viewing.
There is an awesome and amazing scenic view availed by Mountain Longonot National Park that is uncommon in any another park. The activities here look similar to others from other parks but the best of it all is that it is the area of hidden touristic treasures, in the park the wildlife can be spotted around the mountainous regions such as the buffaloes, antelopes, baboon and numerous tree monkeys.
Mountain Biking.
This is a cycling experience done here that allows one to cycle along the circuit road towards the volcanic lava flow about 2 kilometres, this is the way you can appreciate the nature of the park. The bikes are always available to hire.
Where to stay in Mount Longonot National Park.
The Park does not have any accommodation inside the park, with the exception of the Olongonot Campsite, which is located just inside the park entrance, along the access road to the crater. The campsite offers the best place to pitch a tent, a toilet and running water, you might carry your own equipment on safari to Mount Longonot National Park.
However, the classic range of accommodation options are available to the nearby town of Naivasha and along Moi South Lake Road, some of the nearby accommodation facilities with good amenities include the Lake Naivasha country club, Mamsada Hotel and among others.
Entrance fees of Mount Longonot National Park.
| Category | Citizen (KSH) | Resident (KSH) | Non- Resident (USD) |
| Adult | 300 | 300 | 26 |
| Child | 215 | 215 | 17 |
Best time to visit Mount Longonot national park.
Mount Longonot National park is best visited during when the weather is good that is dry season generally during January to March and July to October, Mount Longonot offers staggering views, which take in the shimmering waters of Lake Naivasha, the lilac – blue scarps of the Mau Escarpment, the brooding peaks of the Aberdares and the rolling waves of the Rift valley itself.
How to get to Mount Longonot National Park.
Mount Longonot can be accessed by both air and road transport from Nairobi to reach the park area.
By Road transport.
The park is accessible through tarmac road from Nairobi (90kms), where you can use choose to use either public means or private means, when using public means, you board off in Longonot village and then board a motorbike or taxi to the gate of the park. This takes less than 3-4 hours.
By Air/ Flight transport.
From Nairobi to the park you can use air domestic charterd flights are offered from either Jomo Kenyatta international airport or Wilson airport to green park airstrip, from the airstrip you drive to the park’s gate. The distance is 71km, and which takes you 34 minutes from Nairobi to the park.
Mount Longonot national park has ‘’sheer Adventure’’, rising from the floor of the Great Rift Valley like a monolith is the extinct volcano of Mount Longonot. A unique feature is the thick forest that lies within the crater of the mountain. The crater rim also provides great scenic views across the beautiful Rift Valley all the way to Lake Naivasha.
