Mount Longonot National Park is a secret wonder located at Kenya’s core of the Great Rift Valley, just a few miles from Nairobi. This calm stratovolcano, whose last eruption occurred in the 1860s, provides an exhilarating experience for hikers looking forward to seeing stunning scenery around it. When you visit this beautiful park, its fantastic scenery makes it impossible not to come here due to the adventurous journey that anyone outgoing would expect; therefore, it should be one of your stops.
Accessing The Volcanic Wonderland
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Using a tarmac road from Nairobi, one can reach the park easily by just driving because it is easily accessible by car. It will take about one hour and a half, making it perfect for a one-day trip or even for the weekend when planning to go there. At the park’s gate, there is an entrance gate where visitors get their first glimpse at what awaits them; they have to pay 500 KSH if they are Kenyan citizens, while foreigners part with $20 before starting their journey.
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Conquering The Mount Longonot National Park
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At Mount Longonot National Park, the most attractive feature is the challenging hike to the crater rim, which then provides an amazing experience. Even though this track is about 3.1 km (2 miles) long and is steep, the remarkable sight at its end justifies every effort and difficulty involved. In this way, hikers might be lucky enough to see different types of wild animals like zebras, giraffes, etc.; there are also some reports that leopards have been seen within this park, but no such animal has been spotted so far – they are very elusive creatures.
In case you like taking things slow, there’s a loop trail on the rim of the crater that goes around it for 7.2 km (4.5 miles) or so which is ideal if you prefer relaxation over running around all day long; this way, one will be able to examine everything that is inside about it and see magnificent landscapes outside.
Exploring The Volcanic Crater At Mount Longonot National Park
Image Credit: Bett Duncan for Wikimedia Commons
At the summit, hikers are rewarded by a stunning view of the crater’s interior, which is out of the way in a lush cover of small trees. The vertical drops inside are edged by scouring steam vents, reminders of volcanic action that created this breathtaking scenery.
More daring people can descend into the crater but should only do so if they have a guide or are prepared with the right gear. Going down is a difficult task requiring some skill from the person making it, and going back up could be even more strenuous.
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Diverse Offering Of The Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot National Park is majorly known for hiking, but there are other activities to enjoy when you visit the park:
- Biking Through the Volcanic Terrain: The park has trails ideal for biking, which allow visitors to see the landscape from a fresh viewpoint. They can also race across it at a more incredible speed, excited by the genuinely overwhelming view.
- Birdwatching in the Rift Valley: The park attracts many birdwatchers because it has over 100 types of birds. Some of these birds are the Augur Buzzard, the Verreaux’s Eagle, and the Kori Bustard, among the most easily seen ones. However, it also has smaller ones, such as the Yellow-billed Shrike and Red-billed Quelea, thus making it a perfect place for bird watchers.
- Relaxing Nature Walks: The park provides multiple nature walks for those who prefer a slower pace. These walks allow visitors to enjoy the scenic environment, move at a comfortable speed, and lose themselves in the peace of the molten scenery.
Camping And Accommodation
Camping remains preferred for those interested in immersing themselves in the beauty and serenity of Mt. Longonot National Park. The park boasts two appointed campsites, each of which affords the camper magnificent views of the volcano and its environs. Campgrounds are fully equipped, and simple necessities like toilets and water points are available. It is best to bring your camping gear and food when using them because there are no stores, including food kiosks, within the park precincts.
If you would rather stay in comfort, within or just at the periphery of the national park, there are few lodges and hotels. Such options include luxurious accommodations with various service packages and budget ones for tourists with different preferences on what they would like to spend their money on. There are multiple accommodation choices in the neighbouring community of Naivasha and along the Moi South Lake Road, to mention a few, with these being among them- one such place being Lake Naivasha Country Club and another being Mamsada Hotel.
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Best Time To Visit
Deciding the perfect time for you to visit Mount Longonot National Park depends on your likes and what you want to get out of it. While the park remains accessible all year round, the weather can be quite different depending on seasons. The dry season, which spans from June through October, is generally regarded as the optimal period when visitors can come around because it is warm with clear skies that encourage hiking and exploring the park. In this season, plants acquire less foliage; thus, one can see animals from far distances.
Visitors may face a bit of a challenge during the rainy season, from November to May. Due to heavy rains, the paths may be slippery and muddy, while heavy downpours often reduce visibility, making it hard for them to see anything. Yet, one can observe an overwhelming richness of greenery in the park at this time and many migratory birds coming there.
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Now that you have a list of things to keep in mind for your next vacation to enjoy at Mount Longonot National Park, make sure you plan your trip to Kenya to these fabulous spots accompanied by your loved ones, this experience will be more rewarding as you experience all the fun with them. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and book your tickets now!
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Cover Image Credit: Hansueli Krapf for Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Longonot National Park
Where is Mount Longonot National Park situated?
Approximately 60 km from Nairobi, Mount Longonot National Park is found in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya.
What attracts people to the park?
The main feature of Mount Longonot National Park is the tough hike up to the crater rim and around the caldera. Most visitors are most excited about the fantastic views from its top rim.
How much does it cost to enter the park?
The price of entering the park is 500 Kenyan Shillings for Kenyan residents and for non-residents, it costs $20. The entrance fee will allow you access to the park and hike around.
What is the best time to visit?
The park is open all year round, however, the best time is generally during the dry periods in January-March and June-October when the rains are not heavy.
What can I do at the park?
Common activities consist of hiking up to the crater’s edge, trekking around its ridgeline, rock climbing, biking, and enjoying wildlife scenes within an area covered by wild animals such as zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes among others.
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