GUNUNG · Kenya

Mount Longonot

Olongongot (Maasai: 'pegunungan banyak lereng curam')

Information

Elevation: 2.776 m
Country: Kenya (KE)
Location / Range: Great Rift Valley, central Kenya
Mountain type: Stratovolcano (last erupted around the 1860s)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: -0.9092, 36.4542
Difficulty: Intermediate–strenuous: a steep climb to the crater rim (3.1 km from the gate), with eroded sections in places; the 7.2 km crater rimwalk adds to the challenge; a total of about 13.5 km requiring 5–7 hours
Best Season: Dry seasons Jun–Oct and Dec–Mar; trails become slippery and muddy in the rainy season (Nov & Apr–May)
Permits & Rules: Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) entry ticket required: non-residents USD 30, Kenyan citizens KES 500, East African citizens KES 500. Payment online only via KWSPay (M-Pesa/card). Guides available at the gate (KES 2,500–4,000).
Hazards: Steep eroded trails on the western rim sector; wildlife in the crater (forest buffalo, zebra, eland); no water on the trail — carry at least 2 liters; strong sun exposure at rift valley altitude; single-use plastic bottles banned from the park

Description

Mount Longonot is a dormant stratovolcano rising from the floor of Kenya's Great Rift Valley, roughly 60 km northwest of Nairobi and close to Lake Naivasha. Its name comes from the Maasai word 'Olongongot,' meaning 'mountains of many spurs,' reflecting its distinctive terraced contours. The enormous 8×12 km caldera was formed by trachytic eruptions around 21,000 years ago; the last recorded eruption occurred in the 1860s. Today the inner crater floor supports dense forest sheltering forest buffalo, zebra, and diverse birdlife. From the park gate at roughly 2,150 m, a steep 3.1 km trail leads to the crater rim, and a 7.2 km rimwalk encircling the crater offers 360° views over the caldera and Lake Naivasha below. The hike can be completed in a day and is the most popular day-adventure close to Nairobi.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Jalur Utama (Gerbang → Tepi Kawah)

Menengah–berat (tanjakan curam, jalur tererosi di beberapa bagian)

3–4 jam pulang-pergi (tanpa rimwalk)

The only official trail from the Kenya Wildlife Service park gate (~2,150 m) directly up to the northern crater rim (2,650–2,776 m). The 3.1 km route with roughly 500–600 m elevation gain takes 1.5–2 hours to ascend; the upper section is heavily eroded and requires care underfoot. From the rim, views open into the forested caldera and down across the Rift Valley.

Route Segments

1

Gerbang Taman → Titik Pandang Bawah

↔ 1.2 km ↑ 200 m ⏱ 30–40 menit 2.350 mdpl

Jalur tanah padat, gradien sedang, pemandangan dataran rift di belakang mulai terbuka
2

Titik Pandang Bawah → Tepi Kawah (Utara)

↔ 1.9 km ↑ 350 m ⏱ 1–1,5 jam 2.650 mdpl

Bagian paling curam dan paling tererosi; bagian puncak berbatu; pemandangan kawah terbuka saat tiba di rim

Source

Rimwalk Kawah Penuh (Lingkaran Tepi Kawah)

Menengah (undulasi, beberapa bagian sempit berbatu)

2–3 jam (hanya rimwalk, tidak termasuk naik-turun)

After reaching the crater rim, hikers can continue the 7.2 km loop encircling the entire crater rim. The trail passes over the highest point (Longonot Peak, 2,776 m) on the southern side and offers alternating views into the forested caldera below and out across the Rift Valley. The full outing from gate, up, rimwalk, and back totals roughly 13.5 km and is typically completed in 5–7 hours.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Mount Longonot is typically hiked as a day trip from Nairobi (60 km to the northwest), starting from the Kenya Wildlife Service park gate. The 3.1 km trail to the crater rim is fairly steep and takes 1.5–2 hours to ascend; the 7.2 km rimwalk around the crater adds another 2–3 hours. Total round trip of roughly 13.5 km is covered in 5–7 hours, depending on pace and whether the full rimwalk is completed. Entry tickets must be purchased online via KWSPay before arrival. There is no water on the trail — carry your own supply. The sources below include first-person vlogs and guides.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.