Mount Longonot National Park

Mount Longonot National Park

Mount Longonot National Park
4.5
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Top ways to experience Mount Longonot National Park

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  • MR A
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Active Day Activity
    We wanted to have an altitude hike before heading to Mt Kilimanjaro. Three of us climbed Mt Longonot. It took something like an hour or so each way. The climb is gradual and then pretty steep near the crater edge. I definitely felt the altitude near the top. The views were beautiful. We stopped at the top for a snack to walk around a bit. The African Wildlife Service has guides for the walk and our guide, Steven Mbugua, was terrific and his English was amazing. Steven was knowledgable about Mt Longonot and was an interesting person to talk to for the duration.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written September 28, 2023
  • Jeremy K.
    Austin, Texas4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful hike with an amazing payoff.
    Joseph +254 748 847572 The hike was wonderful. I had an amazing guide, Joseph, who formally was in the Kenya Wildlife Service. He was very knowledgeable on the local flora and fauna. Although it had some steep sections, the hike itself was manageable. My guide and I reached the summit in about an hour and a half. At the peek, you get to see the rift Valley as well as Lake Naivasha which is really amazing.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 9, 2024
  • KKS
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning place and well worth the hike!
    Friends and I camped at Camp Olongonot at the base of the mountain just inside the gates. The only annoying thing was the toilet block was locked and the person who had the keys was far away so we had no access to the toilets. The campground is basic, has a couple of open shelters and an area for a camp fire. We camped overnight - make sure you're not afraid of waking up at 3am to hear hyenas howling not far from you - and woke up before sunrise to climb up Mt Longonot. Well worth the early start. The hike up was steep in some sections but very doable (take plenty of water and sunscreen) and go at your own pace. View from the crater rim are STUNNING and SO worth it. You can also hike around the crater rim (just over 7km) before coming back down. Would totally recommend if you're into hiking/camping/fantastic views.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 31, 2024
  • Champion
    Quebec City, Canada3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    First Ascent!
    We aren't that into mountain climbing but after a wild and exciting hike at Hells Gate and the insistence of our guide Robert, we thought we'd give it a try. I have absolutely no words to describe what happened thereafter; we had the time of our lives. It was exciting to reach the top after a tiresome but somehow fun journey. Robert's expertise and network was crucial in planning and the execution of this spur of the moment trip. The equipment he helped us acquire were in good condition and served us well. I totally recommend trying Mt Longonot for yourself. We contacted Roberts through rthuo541@gmail.com and +254725894994
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 24, 2024
  • CELINE Orlando
    London, United Kingdom3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Heart of the Great Rift Valley
    My 2 brothers and I decided to prolong our tour of the Rift Valley after an outta this world experience at Hells Gate, and what better place, we felt, to kickstart this trip than it's highest point, Mt Longonot. We had a great time hiking, and better still, we all made it to the top. The crater feels like the heart of the great Rift valley, and from this vantage point, you are able to get the sense of its size and extent. Our guide Robert, a local, accompanied us in the whole trip and further entertained us with myths from the locals concerning its origins and its cultural significance. A must try for anyone looking for a light but challenging experience. I would too recommend Robert as I feel his stories served to further spice up the trip. His contacts are +254725894994
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 26, 2024
  • elizabeth m
    Las Vegas, Nevada2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hiking to the Summit!
    To push the limits of our physical and mental strength, my spouse and I decided to take on Mount Longonot. Our trek through Hell's Gate just the previous day had left us hungering for more, and our guide Robert had highly recommended we try it too. Despite being dog tired, we were able to reach the top without as much as a hiccup. And here's the thrilling detail; it was astonishing. Should you find yourself looking for some adventure and fun, this is definitely a good place to start. Robert too, deserves my recommendation for it was his enthusiasm and and expert panning of the hike into manageable intervals that got us to the summit. You reach out to him via +254725894994 an rthuo541@gmail.com
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 26, 2024
  • Maxwel O
    Nashville, Tennessee2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Another one off the bucket list!
    As an experienced climber, I'd say mountain climbing is one the most humbling and character buiding expeiences. I have been to Kilimanjaro, Kenya and Elgon; if I were to do it over again, I'd start with Longonot. No much preparation or equipment requiered, plus it gets you gradually acclimatized with the whole climbing experience. The steep ascent to the top and the dopamine rush after reaching the top gets you adddicted to more. So as you might guess, the hike wasn't a challenge for me, but it's the views that got to me. I always make a point to get a guide with me, and in this time I had Robert. He as expected knew the most scenic routes and from him I was able o learn something new still. He is a your go to guy for experts and beginners alike. His handles are +254725894994 and rthuo541@gmail.com
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 26, 2024
  • Brian L
    69 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unexpectedly one of my favorite stops in Kenya
    Hiking Mount Longonot is a must due for nature-lovers in the rift valley. The hike up to the rim is not too strenuous (took us about 3 hours round trip). That said, I heard going around the rim is very difficult. The views back into the rift valley are fantastic the whole way up. At the top, the views into the rim are breathtaking.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 25, 2024
  • francescabombieri5
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent guided hike of Longonot
    My parents (65+) and I have recently hiked Longonot. We did so with a guide called Anne. The hike path itself is doable without a guide but the advantage of having a guide is her knowledge and excellent company. She enhanced the experience & guaranteed safety whilst giving excellent insight into the volcano, the nature & the local community. I would highly recommend her (as the only female guide)! Her contact number is +254 723 639 039 for anyone wishing to enquire about her services.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 8, 2024
  • Travel48837950738
    Germany6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    MUST DO!
    The climb up Mount Longonot was an absolute delight from start to finish! The hike itself was an exhilarating experience, offering breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley as our ultimate reward at the summit. The trekking trail was clearly marked and provided just the right amount of challenge, perfect for our group as we were seeking a bit of adrenaline. Along the way, we had the opportunity to explore the park's diverse flora and fauna, with plenty of chances to spot various bird species. Our guide, Robert, truly enhanced the experience. He was not only informative but also seamlessly fit into our group, adding to the overall enjoyment of the hike. For those interested in a guided adventure, I highly recommend reaching out to Robert via rthuo541@gmail.com or +254725894994.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles226 reviews
Excellent
152
Very good
56
Average
9
Poor
4
Terrible
5

Cat
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
5 years ago we climbed with our children (ages 5&7years). We went with a guide called Gabriel and he was just brilliant. He was kind and motivated the children, he knew just what would work for us and he took us back the little known alternative path so we could see giraffe, zebra and other animals.

We came back 5 years on and called the number he had given us, not sure if it would still work. We’d had a bad guide at crescent island and on another hike before so wanted to be sure of a good one.

He replied, met us at the gate and was EXCELLENT again. He was able to get the right level of walk for our children, he spotted animals we’d never seen before and helped us see them, he even took brilliant photos of us and my son who hates pictures actually smiled.

Again we went down the special way and it was magical. He was so knowledgeable about everything and we felt so safe knowing he understood what we wanted, our fitness levels, our timings and he made the trip wonderful.
We recommend him to you. He does Mount Kenya trips too and would be excellent for groups of adults too.

Gabriel and he’s on WhatsApp: +254 713 949 886
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Claudio G
Sicily, Italy19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
One the most amazing experiences in Kenya!
I strongly advice to buy the wood stick at the beginning because it will be your lifesaver. Also bring you lots of water and food.

It is a trail that takes around three hours to reach the top and go back. The landscapes are marvellous and during sunset you will also start seeing some animals.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Agnes
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
It's worth doing this trip with a local tourist guide. I highly recommend John Ng`ang`a, If you need his contact data please do not hesitate to contact me. You can see many animals and wonderful nature.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linda W
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
I can only recommend doing a guided tour to Mount Longonot with Joseph Matthews. I would not recommend to go there alone.
Joseph will safely take you up the volcano and if you want to - he will also guide you around the rim of it.
Our tour took 5 hours, but you can also do it shorter, it depends on you.
Joseph showed and explained a lot of plants, animals and things to know about the country. He studied wildlife, so he really knows what he is doing.
If you want to book a tour with him, here is the contact:
Joseph Matthews
mattjoe787@gmail.com
+254 748 847572

Enjoy!
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thwack
Manchester, UK149 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
I can’t recommend this hike enough! A stunning trail up and around a breathtaking crater. Around 3km up (steep and in some places you’ll benefit from a little scrambling), around 7km to circle the crater including reaching its peak (some steep and some flat sections) and another 3km back down. Only sheltered hut is as the top of the crater so bare this in mind before you set off on the loop. Took me around 4 hours from the car park and back with a few short stops for photos. Suggest combining with a trip to Lake Naivasha that's just a little further on before returning back to Nairobi. I did this with a private driver as the public transport options seemed unclear.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Phil Carr
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Friends
We arrived as a group to enjoy a few hours walk around here. Due to two people forgetting to bring their residency pass the receptionist wanted to charge them 3000ksh. Where if the residency pass was brought it would have been 300Ksh.
We all had our military passes with us but he still refused to budge.
Written February 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel48837950738
Germany6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
The climb up Mount Longonot was an absolute delight from start to finish! The hike itself was an exhilarating experience, offering breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley as our ultimate reward at the summit. The trekking trail was clearly marked and provided just the right amount of challenge, perfect for our group as we were seeking a bit of adrenaline. Along the way, we had the opportunity to explore the park's diverse flora and fauna, with plenty of chances to spot various bird species. Our guide, Robert, truly enhanced the experience. He was not only informative but also seamlessly fit into our group, adding to the overall enjoyment of the hike. For those interested in a guided adventure, I highly recommend reaching out to Robert via rthuo541@gmail.com or +254725894994.
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

elizabeth m
Las Vegas, NV2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
To push the limits of our physical and mental strength, my spouse and I decided to take on Mount Longonot. Our trek through Hell's Gate just the previous day had left us hungering for more, and our guide Robert had highly recommended we try it too. Despite being dog tired, we were able to reach the top without as much as a hiccup. And here's the thrilling detail; it was astonishing. Should you find yourself looking for some adventure and fun, this is definitely a good place to start. Robert too, deserves my recommendation for it was his enthusiasm and and expert panning of the hike into manageable intervals that got us to the summit. You reach out to him via +254725894994 an rthuo541@gmail.com
Written April 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angelika from Austria
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
was with John, a Guide of the Kenyan Mountaineering Association at Mt. Longonot. Great experience - great views into the crater, the Rift Valley and to Lake Navaisha. John is an excellent guide, who enriches the experience. He guides on all Kenyan mountains and also to Mt. Kenya. He even can take you to Kilimanjaro! his contact is: johnnganga6666@gmail.com, his phone +254 708803364
Written December 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CELINE Orlando
London, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Family
My 2 brothers and I decided to prolong our tour of the Rift Valley after an outta this world experience at Hells Gate, and what better place, we felt, to kickstart this trip than it's highest point, Mt Longonot. We had a great time hiking, and better still, we all made it to the top. The crater feels like the heart of the great Rift valley, and from this vantage point, you are able to get the sense of its size and extent. Our guide Robert, a local, accompanied us in the whole trip and further entertained us with myths from the locals concerning its origins and its cultural significance. A must try for anyone looking for a light but challenging experience. I would too recommend Robert as I feel his stories served to further spice up the trip. His contacts are +254725894994
Written April 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Mount Longonot National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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