Mount Longonot Full Day Hiking Tour

Daily Departure: 06:00 hrs (Morning Tour)

Tour Duration: Full Day

Mount Longonot day trip hiking tour to the top of the Great Rift Valley will give you the chance to experience the freedom and awe-inspiring wilderness of East Africa.

Mt. Longonot stands at just under 9,100 ft above sea level, with a forest-filled interior and a lone steam vent to the northeast. A climb up Mount Longonot is an ideal day trip from either Nairobi or Naivasha. The best time to visit is from January to April and from September to December.

Mount Longonot day trip hiking tours depart daily from Nairobi after breakfast, and the drive takes approximately one hour. You start the ascent at 6,000 ft. Like all good uphill hikes, it will lull you into a false sense of security with a slow, gentle rise to the first peak.

This gives you a chance to get your lungs and limbs warmed up for the second section, which is the most challenging. At the end of each section, there is a rest point where you can prepare yourself for the next part of your journey.

You will have started early to avoid the heat of the sun, but by the time you reach the end of the second section, you will have generated your own heat. This hike is not easy, but it is achievable for people with average fitness. The required fitness level indicates that many schools take students aged 14 and 15 on this climb while studying in Nairobi.

Once you have finished the second section, there is another stretch of slightly less demanding terrain before making the final climb in the fourth section. This section is also demanding, though not as difficult as the second.

As you pull yourself over the rim of the crater, your reward is the breathtaking view of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley, making the effort truly worthwhile. Before attempting this climb, you may need to acclimatize at 6,000 ft. A ranger accompanies you on the hike and acts as your guide. As there are wild animals in the area, the ranger is armed.

The whole tour is about 8–9 km long but very steep, so the round trip from the park gate to Longonot Peak and back takes around 5 hours of hiking. The gate is at approximately 2,150 meters, and the peak is at 2,780 meters. However, following the jagged rim involves substantially more than the 630-meter vertical difference.

Itinerary:

6:00 AM – Nairobi – Great African Rift Valley

Pick up and depart from Nairobi for Mount Longonot National Park, passing through the lush green Kikuyu highlands and then descending the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley system.

6:30 AM – Great Rift Valley Viewpoint

You will make a scheduled stop at the viewpoint along the escarpment to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Great Rift Valley floor. The Great Rift Valley was formed about 5 million years ago and stretches from the Red Sea through Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

It is an active volcanic region with many fascinating features, including more than eight lakes, dormant and active volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers such as the Olkaria geothermal wells and Lake Bogoria geysers. From this vantage point, you can see volcanic mountains like Mt. Suswa and Mt. Longonot, along with the undulating green valley floor. The view from here is truly spectacular.

7:00 AM – Mt. Longonot National Park

Drive down into the Rift Valley and arrive at Mount Longonot National Park for your hike up to the crater. The hike requires moderate physical fitness, and you will climb through gullies that mark the sides of the mountain. You can take rest stops at designated points along the trail. Upon reaching the crater rim, you will enjoy a stunning view of the crater below. If you have the energy, you can walk around the rim.

12:00 PM – Mt. Longonot – Lake Naivasha

Descend from Mount Longonot to the park headquarters. Relax for a while before driving to Lake Naivasha.

1:00 PM – Lunch at Marina Camp

Arrive at Marina Camp and enjoy a delicious lunch at their lakeside restaurant while watching the beauty of the lake and the birds flying by.

2:30 PM – Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

Enjoy a one-hour boat ride on this beautiful Rift Valley lake. You will see hundreds of birds, including the African fish eagle, diving into the water to catch fish. You will also visit the hippo pool to observe hippos swimming and resting in the water.

4:00 PM – Lake Naivasha – Nairobi

Depart Lake Naivasha for Nairobi, driving through the lush Kikuyu highlands. You will arrive back in Nairobi at around 5:30 PM and be dropped off at your hotel.

Mount Longonot Day Trip Hiking Tour Requirements:

• A good pair of broken-in walking boots
• Walking stick (an adjustable spring-loaded stick is ideal)
• Camera, sunscreen, and a sweater (to be removed during the climb)
• A pair of woolen socks as recommended by the boot manufacturer
• Be aware that the hike involves rough terrain and steep inclines
• Do not underestimate dehydration—drink water regularly
• Rucksack large enough to carry at least 1 liter of water and snacks
• Always follow the ranger’s advice, including pacing yourself
• Wildlife: Common animals include giraffes and dik-diks
• The crater can be circumnavigated, which takes an additional 4 hours via a narrow path. Some sections are steep and require caution

Rate Includes:

• Price is per person (minimum 2 people required)
• All entry fees, service charges, and taxes
• Pickup and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel
• Day trip to Mount Longonot with lunch at Lake Naivasha
• Professional English-speaking guide
• All vehicle expenses and driver’s allowance

Rates Do Not Include:

• Tips or gratuities for the driver-guide
• International airfares and airport taxes
• Visas, meals, and drinks are not included in the package
• Travel insurance, laundry, and communication charges
• Personal expenses such as airport transfers (additional cost applies) and optional activities