Mount Longonot National Park, Kenya
Mount Longonot National Park is one of the most notable natural features in Kenya, which is found within Nairobi and approximately 60 kilometres northwest. The park is a popular tourist destination among hikers and nature and adventure enthusiasts because it is dominated by the massive silhouette of the long-dormant stratovolcano, Mount Longonot, which is 2,776 metres above sea level. It is named after the Maasai word ‘Oloonongot‘, which translates to ‘mountains of many spurs or steep ridges’, and this phrase fits its rugged terrain and dramatic landscape.
The mountain Longonot is located in the Great Rift Valley, which is the most extensive geological trench from Lebanon to Mozambique. The last eruption of the mountain occurred in the 1860s, and currently, the mountain has a huge, steep-sided crater which is approximately 8 kilometres in diameter. The interior of the crater is lined with beautiful green forests, which is a very contrasting feature to the dry, dusty slopes on the outside.
The park, per se, is approximately 52 square kilometres, of which the volcano and the ecosystem around it occupy about 51 square kilometres. The volcanic soil with the savannah grasslands and a few acacia trees ensures a variety of plant and animal life, hence making it an ecological jewel in central Kenya.
The hike to the crater rim
Hiking to the crater rim is the favourite activity in the Mount Longonot National Park. The trail starts at the main gate of the park, which is in the nearby town of Longonot, and the trail is approximately 4 kilometres to the rim. Even though the distance may be insignificant, the climb is rugged and exhausting, and even more so when you are climbing on the loose volcanic ash and gravel.
As soon as you get to the rim, all the hard work is compensated with breathtaking panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and the faraway Aberdare Ranges. There are still many hikers who make it around the entire rim of the crater, a 7-kilometre circuit that provides the ever-changing views of the crater interior and the scenery beyond.
The crater has a thick forest that is untouched on the inside, creating some mystery and wilderness in the scene. Even today, the crater still contains steam vents to remind the visitors of the volcanic nature of the mountain.
The length of time the visitor can spend in the gate to the rim and around the crater varies with the fitness and speed of the visitor; this is estimated to be between 4 and 6 hours. Mornings are the most appropriate time to go hiking, as the weather is less hot, and the visibility is good.
Flora and Fauna
Mount Longonot National Park has a rather limited size, but the number of wildlife species living in it is very impressive. The buffaloes, the elands, the bushbucks, the zebras, the giraffes, the leopards, and the Grant’s gazelles are some of the animals found in the lower slopes and crater forest. Although giant predators are hardly visible, they leave traces of their existence, such as footprints or faeces, which contribute to the wild nature of the park.
Bird life is also abundant and varied; such birds as Verreaux’s eagles, buzzards and vultures can be seen flying around the crater always. Lesser birds, such as weavers, sunbirds, and hornbills, can be observed in the acacia tree forest and on the walking path.
The vegetation of the mountain varies with altitude, as the mountain is covered with dry savannah at the bottom of the mountain and denser shrubs and forests at the top. This crater floor is especially fertile and is fed by the moisture held in the caldera and serves as an important habitat to wildlife in the dry season.
Scenic Views and Photography.
Mount Longonot has some of the most impressive scenery in the Rift Valley. During a clear day, there are panoramic views of Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park and the surrounding escarpments at the crater rim. The sites that attract photographers are the dramatic landscapes created by the area where the light best represents the outlines of the mountain and the expansiveness of the Rift Valley, particularly during sunrise or sunset.
Also visible on the top is a view of nearby landmarks like Mount Suswa and the Mau Escarpment, which forms a 360-degree view which defines the beauty of geological Kenya.
Accessibility and Transport to the Destination.
Mount Longonot National Park is fairly reachable by the Nairobi-Naivasha highway to Nairobi. The drive is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, and thus it is a good place to spend a day or have a weekend out. The main gate of the park is several kilometres along the main road, and it is clearly marked.
Visitors who do not have personal transport can take public buses and matatus to Naivasha and visit the park at the entrance by taxis or boda-bodas.
The park is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the entrance fees are average. One should always bring adequate medical drinking water, good hiking shoes, sunscreen and a hat since the climb is hot and exposed, particularly after noon.
Best Time to Visit
It is possible to visit Mount Longonot National Park throughout the year, although the most optimal months are the dry seasons, which are the months between January and March and also between July and October. The trails are slippery and difficult to pass, especially during rainy seasons.
During cooler and more visible times of the day, morning increases are favoured. Due to the high altitude of this mountain, a change in weather may come very fast, and a light jacket would be very necessary.
Conclusion
The only thing that can be said about Mount Longonot that makes it unique is the combination of adventure, natural beauty, and approachability. It offers a difficult but rewarding ascent, breathtaking views and the opportunity to see the Kenyan volcano scenery at close quarters.
