Mount Longonot National Park

Opened in 1984, Mount Longonot National Park lies about 90 km north-west of Nairobi and spans over an area of 52sq km. This relatively small national park is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya close to the Hell’s Gate National Park. It surrounds Mount Longonot a dormant stratovolcano that nestles southeast of Lake Naivasha. The young volcano rises to a height of 2,776m above sea level creates an imposing eye-catching view of the Great Rift Valley and surrounding because of its rugged scenery for visitors to the Naivasha basin.
Considered to have last erupted in the 1860s,Mount Longonotis one of the youngest volcanoes in the world and formed from one of the colossal eruptions.Mt. Longonot is also the highest volcanic mountain name in the Rift Valley Province and its name derives from a Masai word oloonong’ot, meaning “mountain of many steep ridges” due to its beautiful v-shaped valleys and characteristic ridges.

Ariel View of Mount Longonot
Vegetation
The sides of the mountain have beautiful V shaped valleys and ridges. The stony soils have little vegetation but the crater has an impenetrable forest. Mainly grassland and shrubs, dominated by leleshwa bushes and several varieties of acacia trees.

Longonot Safari Buffalo
Wildlife
Wildlife safaris to Mount Longonot National Park offer excellent opportunity of close encounters with numerous varieties of wildlife most notably black and white colobus monkeys. Mount Longonot is also a famous dwelling habitat for Buffaloes popularly spotted roaming the southern slopes and on the crater floor. Leopards have also been reported but are extremely difficult to spot. Lammergeyers (bearded vulture) are also spotted. Other wildlife resident in the area include Gazelles, Impala, Lion, giraffe, Zebra, Giraffe and Hartebeest.

African Spoonbill
Bird Life
More than 100 species of birds have been recorded in Mount Longonot National Park. Lake Naivasha is home to the largest waterfowl population in Kenya. Common resident bird species include African Spoonbill, Streaky Seedeater, Fire-fronted Bishop, Baglafecht Weaver, White-eyed Slaty, etc.
Getting There
Visitors can reach to the park via tarmac road from Nairobi (90 km). From Naivasha town, take the lower (old) Nairobi-Naivasha road towards Nairobi until you reach the Longonot Railway crossing. Turn right after the crossing and drive for more 4km to the Park entrance. It is open daily between 6 am and 7 pm, including public holidays. Note that entrance into the Park is not permissible after 6.15 in the evening.
Best Time to Visit
Generally, the climate in the park is hot and dry with annual rainfall ranging from 510 to 760mm and temperatures of 26 to 30C. The best time to visit Mount Longonot National Park is between January – April and September – December. During such times of the year, the climate is dry with cool temperature. The park meandering tracking routes for safari walks and hiking are passable.
WHERE TO STAY
Longonot has no accommodation within the park; however, the remarkable range of accommodations options is available in neighboring Naivasha town and along Moi South Lake Road including hotels, lodges, luxury ranch and homesteads around Lake Naivasha offer plentiful accommodation for even the budget cautious travelers.
Other Activities
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Biking
- Game Walks along several nature trails
- Bird Watching
- Boat Rides on Lake Naivasha
What to Pack with You
Drinking water, picnic items and camping gear for visitors who intend to stay overnight. Other essentials are hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, sunglasses and guidebooks.

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