07/08/2026
A SIMPLE MOUNT LONGONOT GUIDE - WHAT TO EXPECT | PRICE,GETTING THERE TO CLIMBING AND HIKING MT LONGONOT
If you've been watching Mount Longonot from the highway and thinking "maybe one day" — today is the day you actually plan it. 🏔️ Swipe through the complete guide: what it is, how to get there, what the trail actually feels like, and everything you need to pack. Full guide with accommodation tips and weekend plans is linked in the comments 👇
MT. LONGONOT - THE VOLCANO 75 KM FROM NAIROBI THAT MOST PEOPLE ONLY EVER SEE FROM CAR OR MATATU WINDOW DRIVING ON A-104 ( RIRONI - MAU SUMMIT HIGHWAY )
Mount Longonot. A dormant volcano. A hidden forest inside the crater. And one of Kenya's most rewarding hikes.
Here's the complete guide to Mountain Hiking Longonot in Naivasha. 👇
WHAT IS MOUNT LONGONOT?
A stratovolcano rising 2,776 metres above sea level in Kenya's Great Rift Valley.
It last erupted in 1863. It is dormant — but not extinct. And it has a dense, geothermal-fed forest growing inside its crater that no hiker can enter.
One of the most remarkable natural landmarks in East Africa.
Why It's Famous
WHY LONGONOT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER HIKE IN KENYA
✔ You walk on the rim of an active volcanic crater
✔ 360° views — Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Mount Suswa, Aberdare Ranges
✔ Wildlife on the trail — zebras, giraffes, eagles
✔ A hidden forest on the crater floor that has never been cleared
✔ Doable in a single day trip from Nairobi
This is not just a hike. It is a full geological adventure.
The Climb
THE HIKE, PHASE BY PHASE
-Phase 1: Rim Climb: 3.1 km | ~1.5 hrs Starts flat through Whistling Thorn acacia. Then the mountain reveals itself; steep, relentless, loose volcanic ash. At 2 km: a shaded gazebo (false summit — don't be fooled). At the top: the caldera opens up before you.
-Phase 2 — Crater Rim Loop: 7.2 km | ~3 hrs Walk the full circumference of the volcano. Sharp climbs, dramatic drops, and the highest point at 2,776 m. Most hikers recommend going counter-clockwise — hardest section first, while legs are fresh.
Location & Getting There
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT LONGONOT
📍 Mt Longonot National Park, Naivasha, Nakuru County 🏙️ 75 km from Nairobi, approx. 1 hr 30 mins drive
3 Ways to Get There:
🚗 Self-drive — A104 Nairobi–Nakuru highway → Longonot Junction → 3 km tarmac to gate
🚌 Matatu — Railway Station to Longonot Junction (KES 200–300) + boda boda to gate (KES 100–200)
🗺️ Organised day trip — from KES 3,500 pp, all-inclusive
What to Expect
WHAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN ON THAT TRAIL HIKING MT LONGONOT
-The first kilometre: easy, scenic, flat — you feel great.
-Around 2 km: the false summit gazebo appears. Rest here.
-The hardest part is next. The final push: steep, dusty, volcanic ash underfoot. Your lungs will burn.
-Then you crest the rim.
-The caldera opens up — vast, green, unexpected. No photo prepares you for it.
Total hike time: 3–4 hours (rim only) | 5–7 hours (full loop)
Who Should Try It
IS THIS HIKE FOR YOU?
+ Reasonably fit adults — yes
+ First-time hikers — yes (take it slow)
+ Families with older kids (10+) — yes
+ Fitness enthusiasts — absolutely
+ International visitors wanting a genuine Kenyan adventure — 100%
The trail is clearly marked. You do not need to be an athlete. You need proper shoes, enough water, and an early start.
Equipment & Guides
WHAT TO PACK + GUIDE INFO FOR YOUR MT. LONGONOT HIKE
🥾 Hiking boots or grip trail shoes — non-negotiable
💧 2–3 litres of water per person — no water on the mountain
🧴 Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses — zero shade above the treeline
🧣 Bandana — volcanic dust whips on the rim
🍌 Snacks — no food vendors inside the park
🧥 Light rain jacket — afternoon showers possible
🪪 National ID or Passport — required for citizen/resident rates
⚠️ No single-use plastic bottles — banned at the gate (buy reusable for ~KES 100)
Do you need a guide? The trail is marked — you can go solo. A KWS-approved guide costs KES 2,500–4,000 for the group and is worth it for first-timers.
Entry Fees (2026)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? (UPDATED 2026)
Adult Child (5–18)
🇰🇪 Kenyan Citizen KES 500 KES 250
🌍 East African Resident KES 675 KES 340
✈️ Non-Resident USD 50 USD 25
Under 5 FREE
Vehicle KES 300
💳 -Cashless payment only — via KWSPay on eCitizen (M-Pesa, Visa, Mastercard)
👉 Pay online before you arrive. Keep the receipt on your phone.
THE FULL GUIDE IS WAITING FOR YOU IN THE BIO
We've only scratched the surface here.
The full blog covers:
📍 Exact directions and transport options
🏕️ Where to stay near Longonot 🦁 Full wildlife guide
🏖️ How to combine Longonot with a full Naivasha weekend
📋 The complete packing list
👉 Read the full guide at pata.co.ke 🔗 Link in bio
💾 Save this carousel — you'll want it before you go.
