Mount Longonot National Park Kenya, Mount Longonot Safari in Kenya, Wildlife Kenya Safari, Kenya Tour

Mount Longonot National Park Kenya, Mount Longonot Safari in Kenya, Wildlife Kenya Safari, Kenya Tour. When to visit Kenya, Attractions in Mount Longonot National Park, how to get there and accommodation in Mount Longonot National Park

Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano or an extinct pillar like volcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great rift valley of Kenya. Mount Longonot National Park is about 90km from Nairobi, Kenya`s capital city- south east of lake Naivasha these mountain eruptions are said to have happened in 1860`s.

The Mount Longonot National park derives its name from the Masai word Oloonong’ot, which means mountains of many spurs or steep ridges. Mount Longonot National Park is just 52 sq.km and is protected by Kenya Wildlife Service. The landscape has an elevation 2,776m above sea level. Besides mountain Longonot are V-shaped valleys and ridges with little vegetation.

In the crater of mountain Longonot is a thick forest. The views of the crater rim offer impressive views across the beautiful Rift Valley en route to Lake Naivasha. Some of the wildlife attractions in Mount Longonot National Park include lion, buffaloes, bushbucks, giraffe and Grant’s gazelles, common zebra, elands, Thomson gazelles among others.

Leopards have also been recorded in the park. The National park is being protected by Kenya wildlife services and a 3.1-kilometer trail runs to the crater rim from the park entrance and continues in a 7.2-kilometer loop encircling the crater.

Kenya Safari Attractions in Longonot National park

Wildlife as a Kenya Safari Attraction in Longonot National park

Mount Longonot National park is a home to different animal species and the Animals sometimes spread from the entrance of the park up to the rim, and the animal species in the forested crater include the gild animals such as Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Antelopes and Baboons. Leopard are rare but on a lucky day you can spot them.

Bird life as a Kenya Safari attraction in Mount Longonot National park

The National park is a home to a good number of Rift Valley birds and that may be spotted include a host of raptors which can be seen catching the thermals over the crater. Specifically, look out for Verreaux’s Eagle and Lammergeier.

The crater rim as a Kenya Safari attraction in Mount Longonot National park

The geothermal steam rising from several fissures around the crater rim, a memory of the power encircled below your feet.

Kenya Safari Activities in Mount Longonot National park

Mountain hiking as a Kenya Safari Activity in Mount Longonot National park

Enjoy a rewarding hike of mountain Longonot up to the breathtaking viewpoint on the rim of a volcano, this hike is possible in one hour. From the park gate, the trail is about a 3.1km to the crater rim. However, you don’t have to overlook at this short hike, it is short yes, but challenging! You will be required to climb a steep rocky volcano!

While at the peak on the rim, trek the borders of the caldera about more 7.2km as you enjoy the impressive views of the whole area. It is recommended to start in a counter-clockwise direction to experience the impressive views and a rewarding hike to the peak. The whole hiking activity takes about 4 to 5 hours, including resting stops.

Game viewing as a Kenya Safari Activity in Mount Longonot National park

A better way to explore the wild life in this park is by hiking up to the forest in the crater where most animals live and the animals seen here include Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Antelopes, Baboons and the Leopards which are rarely seen. Numerous species of birds can easily be seen including Verreaux’s Eagle, and the Lammergeier among others, even at the base of a crater rim.

Cycling as a Kenya Safari Activity in Mount Longonot National park

Mount Longonot National park has a cycling route that leads to the Volcanic lava flow which is about 2 kilometers and this activity would be loved by the mountain bikers who would not love to hike.

Scenery in Mount Longonot National park

This includes Observing the volcano from the rim and is very impressive. Experience the views of birds over a large section of the beautiful southern Rift Valley, you can also see Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains from a distance. Explore the views of lake Naivasha and the Hell’s Gate National Park, which can also be added on a visit to Mount Longonot.

Accessibility of Mount Longonot National park

The park can be accessed by road from Nairobi within one and half hours or even an hour depending on the jam.

Where to stay in Mount Longonot National park

Olongonot Campsite

This campsite is located near the park’s gate and the camping site has;

Tents
Bathroom
Toilet
Running water

Masada Hotel

The hotel is situated on the Naivasha South road about 500 meters off the Mai Mahiu Naivasha highway near Mount Longonot National park and it offers the following facilities;