The trip departs Nairobi at 7:30am and the journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Your start the ascent at 2150m from the gate and like all good uphill hikes, it will lull you into a false sense of security with a slow gentle rise to the first hill. This gives you a chance to get your lungs and limbs freed up for the second section which, in our opinion, is most awesome. At the end of each section there is a rest point for the preparation of the next part of your journey.
You start the hike from the main gate of the National Park, hiking vertically up the dormant volcano, rising over 630 meters to the rim of the crater at 2776 meters above sea level. The walk is very steep and craggy in parts and a trek encircling the rim and back to the gate is around nine kilometers. This day trek is a good warm up to experience the conditions of a mountain trek and test your stamina for a longer trek, like Mount Kenya or Mount Kilimanjaro.
Despite setting off early to avoid the heat of the sun, by the time you reach the end of the second section you will have surely generated your own heat. This hike is not an easy hike but is achievable by people of reasonably good fitness. Once you have finished the second section, you are on the rim of the crater.
There is another respite of slightly less demanding terrain, before making the final climb on the fourth section. This again is a demanding section. As you heave yourself over the rim of the crater you are rewarded with the awesome sight of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley and a feeling that it was all worthwhile.
7:00am: Leave Nairobi for mt Longonot national park
8:30am: Start the hike up the mountain
10:30am: Reach the Mt Longonot crater rim and go around the crater.
12:30pm: Descend to the base and depart for lake Naivasha.
1:00pm: Enjoy a lunch at the fisherman camp
2:00pm: Optional boat ride in the lake Naivasha
3:30pm: Depart for Nairobi
5:30pm: Drop off in town or hotel. End of Mt Longonot national park Tour.
Mount Longonot Day Trip Hiking Tour Requirements:
- Good pair of walking boots (broken-in)
- Walking stick. An adjustable spring-loaded stick is best
- Camera, sun cream, plus your sweater that will be removed during the climb
- Pair of woollen socks as recommended by the boots manufacturer/salesman
- All of this hike is over rough ground and has all the hazards of hiking up steep inclines
- Do not underestimate dehydration. Drink water at the end of each section, and as required.
- Rucksack. Large enough to carry 2 x ½ litter of water plus few sandwiches to eat at the top
- The ranger’s advice on all matters including your rate of progress should always be listened to
- Animals – There are numerous animals in the area; the most commonly seen is the giraffe or dik-dik.
- The crater can be circumnavigated; this takes another 4 hours via a narrow path. In some places, this path has steep slopes on both sides and is not without danger.
