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.

Mount Longonot lies near Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley and is commonly reached by road from Nairobi. Drive from Nairobi along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway (A104) toward Naivasha-typical driving time is about 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic (roughly 90-120 km). From Naivasha or the Mai Mahiu area take the local road to the Mount Longonot National Park entrance where there is parking and the main trailhead.

If using public transport, take a matatu or coach to Naivasha, then a local taxi or motorbike taxi to the park gate; the crater rim trail begins a short walk from the park entrance.

• Start the crater‑rim walk early in the morning to avoid the strongest sun and heat later in the day; early starts also tend to be quieter on the commonly used trail.
• Access Mount Longonot via Mount Longonot National Park's entrance on the Nakuru-Naivasha corridor and pay park fees at the gate - the rim circuit is the main attraction and offers panoramic views of the crater and the Rift Valley.
• Expect a steep ascent of a couple of hours and plan to do the full rim loop rather than turning back at the summit to appreciate the crater and the surrounding scenery; midweek visits are usually less busy than weekends.