What to wear hiking Mt. Longonot?
Hiking Mount Longonot is one of the best things you can while in Kenya. I never met anyone who hiked and didn’t fall in love with the views from the crater. If you are planning out your trip here is everything you need to know before hiking Mt. Longonot in Kenya.
In this article, we’ll go into detail about what to wear when hiking Longonot, what you need, what to bring, and what not to bring.
Let’s dive into it!
What do you need to hike Mt Longonot?
You will need proper hiking outfits and gear, an identification document (National ID for locals and a Passport for tourists), snacks, and lots of drinking water.
Don’t forget to carry your camera and a small drone if you have one. The view from the top is breathtaking and you wouldn’t want to miss capturing the memories.
You can also carry a pair of binoculars. There are over 50 different bird species within the vicinity. Once you are at the top resting or at any of the designated stop points, you can spot some birds flying around.
If you plan on camping remember to carry your camping tents and any other items you need for camping. Please note for those camping an additional camping fee is charged per head.
What to wear hiking mt Longonot?
Below is a breakdown of what to wear when hiking. Use it as a simple get-ready guide for the hike.
Hiking/Trekking shoes
Hiking shoes are highly recommended for the proper cushioning and comfort while hiking mount Longonot. If you don’t have designated hiking shoes you can wear trekking shoes or any other comfortable sneakers with a thick heel and good grip.
There are many good brands available on Amazon. This is my most trusted hiking boot that I wore during our hike. I love it as it’s very lightweight and waterproof meaning I can hike through all road conditions and easily pack while traveling.
Avoid wearing open shoes, rubber shoes, wedges, official shoes or any other type of shoe not designed for walking long distances.
As mentioned in my other article, hiking trails are covered in volcanic ash. You will need a good shoe that can hold onto the ground and not cause any sliding or slipping.
Quick dry pants/shorts
Quick dry material is the best for hiking. As you climb up you will sweat a lot, you need a fabric that doesn’t retain the sweat or causes sweat to drip down your body.
These also come in different styles and prices. I’m currently obsessed with these Women’s Cargo Joggers (very stylish and chic) but these are what I wore during the hike.
Please avoid cotton sweatpants, jeans, and very tight leggings or shorts. These will make you sweaty and uncomfortable during the hike. If what you are wearing is too tight you risk getting sore around the thigh area from all the friction.
Also, don’t wear sundresses or skirts, it is quite windy as you go up and you won’t be comfortable hiking in this.
Quick dry t-shit
Avoid very heavy cotton T-shirts for the hike as these tend to soak up the sweat making you uncomfortable. Wear a quick dry t-shirt short or long-sleeved shirt will do. If you get sunburned quickly I highly recommend wearing a long-sleeved hiking shirt.
In addition, if dust and high-blowing wind easily irritate you get a hiking shirt with a neck gaiter or simply have something to cover your nose. During the weekend when there are more hikers, the volcanic ash is blown all over the place.
Light jacket
When hiking during the hot weather seasons, this is not necessary, but keep in mind it gets windy as you hike up. However, if you are hiking during the cooler months remember to carry a light hiking jacket.
Sometimes light showers may appear out of nowhere, a jacket will keep you warm and dry. If hiking early morning or late evening it’s best to wear a jacket as the winds blow strongest at this time.
Baseball Cap/sunhat
Don’t forget a cap or a hat to protect yourself from the sun. I know from experience how bad it gets, avoid headaches and sunburns, wear a sun hat!
Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from harsh sunrays and avoid squinting. This can lead to premature aging and wrinkles formation around the eyes. If you get watery eyes from the wind blowing into your eyes, a good pair of sunglasses will protect you while hiking.
Sunscreen
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen. During the hike, you are exposed to the sun for over 4 hours. Remember to apply sunscreen on your face and the uncovered areas of the legs and arms.
When hiking or engaging in other outdoor activities it’s more advisable to wear sunscreen designed for active lifestyles. This ensures you stay protected even when sweating. If you don’t have this you can wear your favorite SPF, this is better than no sunscreen at all.
Hiking pole
This is optional but highly recommended for absolute beginners. It will come in handy when hiking the steep slopes as you approach the crater and hiking down. You can hire a hiking pole at the park entry.
Gaiter
Also optional, but useful for those wanting to protect themselves from wind and dust. If you have messy hair, the gaiter can also double up as a head cover.
Raincoat
If your hike is scheduled around the rainy season in Kenya (mid-March to May), it’s wise to carry a raincoat in your hiking bag. Sometimes the weather is unpredictable it might start raining when you are at the crater.
If you can reschedule the hike even better but if your schedule doesn’t allow it remember to bring a raincoat. Check the wathe forecasts on weather.com I have found the forecast here to be very reliable and accurate.
What to carry for the hike
Hiking Spirit
Be mentally prepared to conquer the mountain.
Camera/videography gear
Since the hike can be quite tiring carry lightweight photography gear you need. Don’t break your back with heavy equipment you might end up not using. If you a not into professional photography a phone and a selfie stick or gimbal will work just fine.
Snacks
Don’t forget to carry snacks, including fruits and lots of nuts. Ensure that the snacks are healthy, consuming a lot of junk food will lead to sugar crashes which can cause irritation and a lack of energy to hike.
Lots of water
If there is one thing you shouldn’t forget is water. Plastic bottles are NOT allowed in the park make sure you have a reusable water bottle. A collapsible water bottle is always fun and convenient to carry, but any reusable one will do.
If not, you can buy one at the shop by the park’s gate, but be ready to spend a little more coins on it. The shop also stocks bottled water and snacks in case you forgot to buy or need to snack on something after the hike.
A first Aid Kit
If you are not part of a tour group carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies such as small bruises that may require fast action. For those hiking with tour companies, the organizers normally carry first aid kits.
It wouldn’t hurt to carry some painkillers, a little something for an unexpected headache. You will thank me later 🙂
Camping gear
If you are planning on camping after hiking mount Longonot, remember to carry the necessary camping gear.
What not to Bring into the park
Plastic bottles
As mentioned plastic water bottles or juice bottles are not allowed in the park. Empty everything from these containers into a reusable bottle or consume it at the gate.
Litter
Don’t litter the park, especially with the plastic wrappings used for snacks. They do allow you to carry snacks but please don’t litter. Once you are done eating, carry all the garbage and dump it in the bins by the gate.
As a wise man once said “Take nothing but pictures and memories, leave nothing but footprints” kindly adhere to this spirit. The park is very large and rangers may not cover all ground picking up litter. In the worse case, the small plastic wrappings will be blown into the protected park area endangering wildlife.
Parting Words
In this article, we’ve gone over what to wear when hiking Mount Longonot, what you should bring, and what not to bring. With the right hiking gear, this will be a very memorable hike for you and your group.
I hope this simple guide helps you adequately prepare for your hike and you will truly enjoy it. Best of luck hikers!
