MT. LONGONOT HIKE.

Mt. Longonot is a dormant volcano located south east of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. The name is derived from a Maasai word “Oloonong’ot” meaning ‘mountains of many spurs ‘.

 It is located 60km from Nairobi and can be accessed through the Nairobi Naivasha route or the Mai Mahiu route. We used the Mai Mahiu route and the scenery does not disappoint. Along the way you come across the smallest Catholic Church that was built by Italian prisoners just before you get to Mai Mahiu town. We left Nairobi at 8:30am and got to Mt. Longonot at around 11:30am , normally it’s a 1 hour drive but we had a few stop over’s.

The entry fee is Ksh.300 and they only accept Mpesa or card payments. The trek up is 3.1kms from the gate from the park entrance to the peak. 

The hike is moderately gruesome and has some steep climbing at some points. One can purchase sticks at the gate for ksh.50 to help with the climb. There is one resting point and the other is at the crater. On your way up you will be lucky to see zebras, gazelles and antelopes. It’s not a guarantee to see the buffalos though but you can see the poop as you go round the crater. The crater is 7.2km in circumference and has to be the hardest part about hiking Mt. Longonot. It has some really steep slopes and one has to be in pretty good shape to have an easy time.

 

The view is breathtaking on the way up and amazing at the top. It is definitely an activity to undertake with friends, colleagues and family and definitely something to tick off your bucket list.

 

Transport: Vans_for_fun