Mount Longonot, Kenya, 2785m

25th August 2014
Google map link

Route: Standard Route
Total Elevation gain: 620m
Total distance hiked: ~5.1km (3.1 km to the rim and a further 2.0 km to the summit)

Mount Longonot is located in the Kenyan Rift Valley. It is a stratovolcano that blew its top off about 20,000 years ago. Its a relatively easy hike with a wonderful view of the Rift Valley landscape, including Lake Naivasha and Hell's gate. 

Mt Longonot from the Old Naivasha Road

At the start of the trek

Cheryl and our guide Annie on their way towards the mountain

The hike starts gradually through grasslands and shrubs on the lower slopes. Giraffes and buffaloes roam amongst the landscape. After a while, the climb gets a bit steeper before getting onto the crater rim.

At the Oloonongot crater rim. The summit peak can be seen behind the sign.

We then follow the rim trail in the counter-clockwise direction to reach the summit. The trail is well defined, but at points, there may be a bit of exposure and the grounds at some slopes are slightly loose.

In the foreground, a volcanic vent. In the background, Lake Naivasha. Views from the rim trail.

We started our hike at 8.55am and reached the summit at about 11am.

View of the crater from the summit.

At the summit.