Is Mount Longonot hard to climb? (2024 Ultimate Guide)
If you are in Kenya looking for a fantastic day hike then you should be planning to hike mount Longonot. Many hike the mountain for fun while others hike it in preparation for a Mount Kenya summit. If you are wondering is mount Longonot hard to climb, then you are in the right place.
Mount Longonot can be ranked as a moderate to difficult hike depending on your fitness level. For very fit and frequent hikers, then this is a moderate hike. However, if you have not been very active in the last couple of weeks or days then you will definitely feel the intensity. There are multiple resting points up the mountain making it easier and allowing hikers to catch their breath as they enjoy the scenic views.
Even if this is your first hike in a long time, you can still make it to the crater. Just keep in mind that it will take you longer to get to the top and prepare for sore muscles the next day. 🙂
Now let’s look into everything you need to know before hiking mount Longonot.
Where is Mount Longonot located?
Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano located in Nakuru county in Kenya. The mountain raises from the floor of the Great Rift Valley and is located southeast of Lake Naivasha. This majestic beauty elevates 2776m above sea level and its last eruption was in the 1860s.
The mountain is part of Mount Longonot National Park which is easily accessible via tarmac from the main Nakuru highway. There is a small trekking distance from the park’s gate before the hike begins.
From Nairobi, the park is about 60 km and will take you about 2 hours to get to the park. If you are coming from Nakuru or Naivasha then the drive should be less than 1 hour.
How much does it cost to climb Mt Longonot?
As a tourist, it will cost you $26 (adult) and $17 (kids from 7 years). Residents and locals pay ksh 300 (adults) and ksh 215 (kids).
Other charges may include vehicle parking fees depending on the number of seats. For a small personal car with less than 6 seats, this costs less than $3. If you are traveling with a tour company then you don’t have to worry about this as they will take care of it.
You can hire a guide at the gate at an additional cost but if hiking with someone who is familiar with the trails no need for one. As many hikers visit the park during the weekends you will find many guides and park rangers accompanying the groups. If hiking on a weekday it’s highly advisable to hire a guide.
When traveling with tour companies, hiking mount Longonot costs about $60 per person. This covers your transfers from Nairobi to the park and back, entry fees, snacks, and water.
How long does it take to climb Mount Longonot?
It will take you 4 – 6 hours to climb Mount Longonot and trek around the crater. This is the estimate time required to hike the 3.2 km up, 7.2 km trek around the crater, and hike down the mountain.
The hike from the gate to the crater takes about 2 – 3 hours depending on the hiker’s fitness level and the resting time on your way up. An additional 45 minutes to 2 hours is required to trek around the crater.
Since this is a stratovolcano, the hiking trails are quite steep at some points. Luckily there are concrete stairs conveniently located in these spots to ease your climb.
In addition, as you go higher, the volcanic ash can get a bit tricky and slow you down, especially if you are wearing the wrong shoes.
If you are completely worn out by the time you get to the crater, you can skip the trek as it’s twice the distance up. For fit hikers and anyone on a challenge to conquer the entire hike keep going and don’t give up.
What is inside Mount Longonot crater?
A thick dense forest covers the entire mount Longonot crater. This section of the mountain is off-limits to hikers, remember this is a volcanic mountain so the center is still hollow and no one knows how deep it goes. Stay on the trekking paths for your own safety.
Once you are on top of the mountain, enjoy the scenic views of the crater, the surrounding plains, Lake Naivasha in a distance, and the Great Rift Valley. As you relax and snack, take time and observe the different bird species in the park.
What is the best time to climb Longonot?
You can climb mount Longonot any time of the year as long as there is no rain. The best months however are the cooler months from mid-March to October.
Even in the long rainy season (mid-March – May) in Kenya, there are many days when the clouds are clear or it only it rains late in the evenings or at night. Check the weather forecast before planning your hike.
If you don’t mind the sun then you can hike any time of the year including January and February when it is hottest in the country.
Like any other hike in the world, the best time of day is early morning before the sun gets too hot. Since the park opens as early as 6 am you can start early and watch as the sun rises over the plains.
If you are driving from Nairobi, start your journey as early as 5.30 am so you can make it to the park by 8 am. At this time there is no traffic and you might actually make it by 7.30 am. This also allows enough time to stop over for lunch after the hike and dive back into the city before 10 pm. Avoid time-wasting stops in the morning if you want to beat the hot sun during the hike.
Are there wild animals in Mount Longonot?
Yes, there are wild animals in other parts of Mount Longonot National park. Wild animals are mainly found in the protected parts of the park and rarely come into contact with the hikers.
Some of the wild animals found in the park include zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and buffalos. As you start your hike, it’s very normal to see zebras grazing in the fields. As you hike up the chances of you encountering a wild animal are very low. The steep slopes of the mountain are unfavorable for wildlife and the vegetation up there isn’t the best for the grazers. If you want to see more wildlife consider going on a safari in the protected park area.
In case there is any wildlife sighting in the trekking area, the park rangers act on it immediately to return the animals to the protected area. If you still have doubts, make sure to hire a guide to guarantee your safety. 🙂
How to prepare to hike Mount Longonot
If you are not very active and still want to summit Mount Longonot, relax you can prepare for the hike in 1 week or less. This will get you ready for the actual hike and prevent sore muscles post-hiking.
How to prepare for the hike:
- Exercise 3-7 days before the hike. You can do aerobics, cardio, running, walking, swimming, or any other exercise of choice. The goal is to get your body and muscles relaxed and ready.
- Increasing carbohydrate intake 3-4 days before the hike is highly recommended. This way your body has enough energy reservoir for the hike.
- Avoid fasting before the hike. If you are on a strict diet such as intermittent fasting or one without carbs, it’s highly advised to skip it days leading to the hike.
- Get enough sleep day before the hike.
- Take a nutritious breakfast on the day of the hike. Avoid fast foods that are easily broken down such as cakes, as this can lead to sugar crashes. Take eggs, fruits, and high-energy cabs such as sweet potatoes or oats. Ensure your breakfast can hold in the stomach for a few hours.
- Avoid alcohol or drug intake before or during the hike.
What do you need to climb Mount Longonot?
To climb mount Longonot, you will need proper hiking gear and outfit. Make sure you are wearing the right shoes, pants, and shirts.
In addition, you will also require some form of identification national ID or passport. Bring healthy snacks, a camera, a small drone, lots of water, and a hiking spirit.
Read a detailed list of everything you need and what you shouldn’t bring when hiking Mount Longonot here.
Did I answer every question on Is Mount Longonot hard to climb?
As we have seen above the difficulty level is highly dependent on the hiker’s fitness and endurance level. A complete beginner can also climb Mount Longonot but it may take longer.
To enjoy the hike more start preparing early to ease the muscles. Don’t forget to carry snacks and a hiking spirit. This moderate hike up a dormant volcano in the heart of the Great Rift Valley is worth every sweat and penny. Once you reach the crater the scenic views will make you appreciate and forget every little hardship encountered. The hike down is fun I promise you!
FAQs
Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano mountain. The last eruption was in the 1860s.
Mount Longonot National Park opens at 6 am and closes at 6 pm daily.
Yes and No.
Yes, if this is your first time hiking Longonot it’s highly recommended to hire a guide.
No, if you are familiar with or hiking with someone familiar with the tails, you don’t need a guide.
Yes, Mount Longonot has one of the largest craters in Africa. The crater is 8 by 12 km wide and hikers can trek around it.
The mountain summits to 2,776m or 9,108 ft. above sea level.
There is no exact data on this as the crater is covered in a thick dense forest that remains isolated from humans.
