This is for the beginners’ and all those who never get tired of this beauty because we know #onceisnotenough. Rising from the floor of the Great Rift Valley like a monolith is the extinct volcano of Mount Longonot. It is located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa. Its name is derived from the Maasai word oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges”. It is believed to have last erupted in the 1860s.
A unique feature is a 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. Major wildlife attractions at Mount Longonot include buffaloes, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffe and Grant’s gazelles.
Route Description:
The trek to the top of this scenic crater starts at the floor of the Rift Valley. Then rising to the first resting point revealing for the first time the scenic surrounding. Kijabe Hill to the right, the Eburu Forest right straight on, parts of Lake Naivasha can also be seen from this point.
We trek on through probably the hilliest and trying section of the mountain through the acacia shrub to stand at the rim of the 7.2 Km crater. We take rest as we sip some water and take in mother nature’s beauty. At this point, you can spot the Kilele Ngamia Peak that stands 2780M
After a well-deserved rest, it’s time to take on the 7.2Km encircle around the crater through the peak. It’s a flat ground at first overlooking Lake Naivasha now in full view and also the surrounding flower farms. To the far left it’s Hells Gate National Park and still, on the right Kijabe Hill stands tall now at eye level. Through the greater half of the crater, we stand at the peak to have a 360 degrees view of the world. It’s Mt. Suswa to the south Eburu Forest and Lake Naivasha to the North, Kijabe Hill to the East and the expansive Hell Gate to the West.
We take our lunch and enjoy our moment at the top.
After 15 Minutes break its time to head back to the gate through the other half of the crater with more scenery and breathtaking views.