Standing at the highest point of Mt. Longonot, 2'780 meters above sea level, you're rewarded with a breathtaking view - lush greenery covering the crater floor and the dramatic steep walls of the rim. In that magical moment, the exhaustion from the two-hour climb fades away, leaving only awe and a memory to cherish forever.
Just a 40-minute drive from Naivasha town, you'll arrive at the entrance to Mt. Longonot National Park, where you'll find a parking lot, a few small shops and the main gate, where the staff will welcome you and provide instructions before your hike.
Important Things to Know before you go:
1.) No PET bottles allowed - You cannot bring disposable plastic bottles into the park, so be sure to carry your water in a reusable bottle. If you don't have one, you can buy one at the gate - though they're pricier than elsewhere.
2.) Tickets must be purchased online - entry tickets are only available via an online system. While the process can be a bit complicated, the staff will assist you in navigating the forms on your mobile phone.
Entrance fee for non-residents: $26 USD
3.) Guide Requirement & Costs - if you haven't hiked Mt. Longonot before, you'll need to hire a guide.
Full hike (4-6 hours): includes the ascent and a full circuit around the crater before descending. Guide fee: 4'000 Ksh
Short hike (2-3 hours): includes the ascent to the crater rim, then direct descent. Guide fee: 2'000 Ksh
4.) Hiking Poles for Rent - If you don't have your own hiking poles, you can rent a wooden hiking stick for 50 Ksh. It's highly recommended, as some sections are steep and require stepping over rocks and boulders.
5.) Bring enough water! Mt. Longonot's hike can be hot and demanding, especially with the steep inclines and exposed terrain. There's no water available along the trail, so make sure to bring enough.
Since it was our first time hiking Mt. Longonot, we opted for the longer hike and hired a guide. While the ascent to the crater rim is only 3.6 km in distance, it comes with 400 meters of elevation gain, making it a moderately challenging trek.
The Trail: A gradual Start with Wildife Encounters
The hike begins gently on a wide, well-maintained trail with a gradual incline, offering a nice warm-up. This section is lined with trees and shrubs, providing some welcome shade. If you're lucky, you might spot zebras, gazelles, or even buffalo grazing near the riverbed that runs down from Mt. Longonot.
We hiked in March, so the riverbed was dry - it only fills with water during the rainy season - but we were lucky enough to see a small herd of zebras.
The Climb Begins: Steeper Terrain & Changing Scenery
After about 1 km, the trail becomes narrower and steeper, winding up the volcanic slopes of Mt. Longonot. The terrain remains firm, mostly a mix of sand and gravel, making for a stable footing. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soils, shrubs and trees grow all the way up to the crater rim - offering occasional shade, which is much appreciated in the heat.
Since we hiked in March, temperatures were above 30°C, though a constant breeze from Lake Naivasha helped. Still, don't underestimate the heat - bring plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the tropical sun.
Your guide will adjust the hiking speed to match your fitness level, so feel free to let them know if you'd like to speed up or slow down. You can take as many breaks as needed - but keep an eye on the time if you're considering the full crater circuit. If necessary, you can always switch to the shorter hike and descend directly once you reach the rim.
About one-third of the way up, you'll reach a stair section - a steep but well-structured part of the trail. The steps make the ascent easier, allowing you to get into a steady rhythm. Once you reach the top of the stairs, you're nearly halfway up. You'll know you've hit the halfway point when you come across a few tented benches - a great place to rest, grab a snack, and rehydrate before tackling the final stretch to the rim.
The Final Push to the Rim
The second half of the climb is also the steepest. Soon, you'll catch occasional glimpses of the top, which serves as a great motivation - especially as the incline becomes much sharper. The trail narrows, and you'll find yourself needing to lift your legs higher, sometimes taking big steps over boulders or rocks.
At this point, your pulse will likely rise, but seeing the finish line ahead makes it feel manageable. Of course, how challenging this section is depends on your fitness level - which is why the ascent can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. It took us one hour, but being from Switzerland, we're quite used to hiking uphill! ;)
As you get closer to the top, the terrain becomes rockier and steeper - a perfect moment to appreciate having that hiking pole! The trail zigzags gently towards the rim, and suddenly, you'll see the final steps ahead. A few more strides, and you're at the top!
Reaching the Rim: A view worth the climb
The moment you step onto the crater rim, you're instantly rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view. Below you lies the lush, almost untouched crater floor, and stretching before you is the entire crater rim - a stunning sight that makes the climb absolutely worth it.
A wooden sign marks the spot:
📍 "Mt. Longonot Crater Point, Altitude 2,560 m"— the perfect place to take a victory photo and prove you’ve made it!
Now is the perfect time to take a short break, catch your breath, and soak in the spectacular surroundings. Beyond the crater, you can see:
Lake Naivasha glistening in the distance
The Aberdare Mountain Ridge, including the distinctive "Sleeping Giant" - the southernmost peaks of the range
Mt. Margaret, believed to be the crater cap that was violently ejected over thirteen kilometres away during Mt. Longonot's last major eruption in 1860
As you rest at Crater Point, you'll likely meet other hikers who have made it up. This is the moment to decide - are you ready to commit to the full hike? If so, it's time to circumnavigate the crater rim and take on the next challenge!
The Crater Rim Hike & the real Summit
Standing at Crater Point, you quickly realize - if you didn't know already - that this isn't the highest point of Mt. Longonot. Directly across the crater, you can see the true summit: Mt. Longonot Summit (Kilele Ngamia), standing at 2'780 m.a.s.l. - 200 meters higher than where you are now. If that doesn't deter you, it's time to begin the 7.2 km circumnavigation of the crater rim!
Our guide recommended hiking counterclockwise, so we'd reach the summit first, followed by an easier descent. Given that he climbs Mt. Longonot three times a week, we happily took his advice!
The first few minutes of the crater rim hike are easy-going. The narrow dirt trail winds through shrubs and trees, with a smooth, compact sandy surface. Here, you can simply walk and enjoy the view, letting your feet move effortlessly along the path. But soon, the climb begins again - this time towards Kilele Ngamia.
As you approach the summit climb, the trail becomes narrower and significantly steeper - even steeper than the initial climb to Crater Point.
At times, the path feels like a natural gully, with soil and rock walls rising on both sides. You'll sometimes need to use your hands to climb over large boulders, making this section feel more like a scamble than a hike.
Unlike the ascent to Crater Point, you won't see the summit right away - the dense shrubs and rocky terrain block your view, forcing you to focus on every step. The hiking pole becomes invaluable for balance and support. Thankfully, there are a few intermediate plateaus where you can catch your breath, admire the view, and take a sip of water. These short breaks are well worth it - the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
That being said, this section is tougher than the climb from the gate to the Crater Point. If you found that stretch already very challenging, I wouldn't recommend doing the full rim hike - unless you're prepared to push through.
Reaching the Summit
The steepest part of the ascent last around 30 - 40 minutes, making up most of the struggle. The entire climb from Crater Point to Mt. Longonot Summit took us about 50 - 60 minutes - roughly the same as the first ascent, but slightly more strenuous.
However, the view from the summit makes every step worth it.
From the Summit, Kilele Ngamia, you can take in:
A breathtaking aerial view of the entire crater - now from an even higher vantage point
the northern and western slopes of Mt. Longonot
A full view of Lake Naivasha, stretching across the landscape
The surrounding soft hills, Crater Lake (you can't see the lake itself, as it is hidden by the crater walls), and even Hell's Gate National Park
There is some shade at the summit. However, we had to delay our well-deserved lunch break - several bee nests were nearby, making it too risky to unpack food. Instead, we began our descent and soon found a shady, quiet spot to finally sit down and enjoy our meal.
Completing the Crater Rim Hike
After a short but refreshing lunch break, we were ready to continue our journey along the crater rim. Since we were hiking counterclockwise, we had already completed about one-third of the loop. The first challenge after lunch was the descend from the summit. While the path was scenic and enjoyable, certain sections were quite steep, making us once again grateful for our trusty wooden hiking poles. Adding to the adventure, a strong breeze was blowing towards us. On one hand, it was a welcome relief from the intense midday heat, but on the other, it kicked up loose sand and volcanic ash, covering us in dust. At times, we even had to stop talking and keep our mouths shut to avoid inhaling it!
Our guide, clearly well-prepared, pulled up a bandana to cover his face - a smart move we wished we had thought of.
Despite the dust, the trail remainded captivating. It was a diverse mix of short ascents and descents, with stunning views of Mt. Longonot's southern hills. As the path became steadily easier and flatter, time seemed to fly by.
Eventually, as the first signs of fatigue set in, we started wondering how much farther the starting point was. Just as we began to feel the weight of the hike, we reached the final stretch - a gentle uphill climb leading us back to Crater Point. Hurrah, we had completed the loop!
Before making our way back down to the main gate, we took one last break at Crater Point, soaking in the breathtaking views one final time.
The descent from Crater Point back to the main gate felt surprisingly easy - a perfect cooldown after the demanding hike. The trail gradually leveled out, and our legs seemed to move effortlessly, allowing us to reflect on the incredible experience we had just completed. Since we were now familiar with the path, the return felt much quicker, and going downhill made all the difference.
After about 30 to 40 minutes, we arrived back at the main gate, dust-covered, sweaty, and a little tired, but overwhelmingly satisfied. In total, it took us just under five hours to complete the hike. It had been an amazing adventure - a hike that was absolutely worth every step.
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