Mount Longonot

Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, located in Nakuru County and reaching about 2,776 meters above sea level.

The principal attraction is a marked trail that climbs to the crater rim and then follows an approximately 8-kilometer loop around the summit caldera; hikers commonly complete the circuit in a half-day for clear summit views over the Rift Valley and nearby Lake Naivasha.

Geologically it is a Holocene volcanic cone with a large summit caldera formed by past eruptions; the slopes are covered by grasses and volcanic debris rather than dense forest, which makes the ridgelines exposed and panoramic.

Sited near the southeastern shore of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley, the mountain lies within Mount Longonot National Park and is accessed from roads serving Naivasha and nearby settlements.

• Crater rim walk: The rim loop is about 8 kilometers and usually completed in 2-4 hours by fit walkers.
• Access: Park access is from the park gate on the southeastern side near Lake Naivasha and Naivasha town, which serve as common staging points for the hike.

What to See #

• Crater rim: A roughly 8-kilometer loop that follows the crater rim and is the standard day-hike for visitors; the walk typically takes 2-4 hours depending on pace and stops for views.
• Summit: Summit area rising to 2,776 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views over Lake Naivasha and the surrounding Rift Valley when conditions are clear.