Mount Longonot National Park

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Nature area home to a dormant volcano with a forest-filled crater & a popular hike around the rim.

Google reviews

• CNChristof N.Google review · 18 Jan 2026

  Overpriced and Discriminatory Pricing – There’s a Better Alternative Nearby At the entrance we were honestly shocked by the pricing structure of this national park. Kenyan citizens pay around 520 KES, while foreign adults are charged more than 6,700 KES, and a family with two adults and two children is asked to pay over 20,000 KES. This means foreigners are charged more than ten times the local price. This is not a matter of perception or personal feeling – it is discrimination by definition. I seriously ask how Kenyans would feel if they had to pay ten times more than locals when visiting natural sites abroad. What you get for this price does not justify the cost at all. Yes, the hike around the extinct volcano is scenic, but that is essentially it. There is no guide included, no special services, no food, no accommodation, and nothing that explains such an extreme price difference. What makes this even worse is that this pricing policy turns the park into a place accessible mainly to wealthy visitors. Even for many Kenyans, the local price is not insignificant. For families with several children – regardless of nationality – a visit quickly becomes unaffordable. Nature should be accessible, not exclusive. Additionally, a friend of mine visited this park in autumn 2024, and at that time the entrance fees were roughly half of what they are now. The prices have been increased massively within a very short period. For hikers who are mainly interested in the landscape and the walking experience, it is worth knowing that there are similar hiking opportunities directly nearby. A neighboring hill offers a comparable elevation, an equally beautiful and varied landscape, paths passing farms and small settlements, and wide views over the valley. No guide is required and there are no entrance fees. For orientation, Mawingu Camp works well as a destination point, as it is already close to the upper area and commonly used by hikers. The landscape itself is beautiful, but the current pricing policy significantly reduces the appeal of visiting this park.

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• MMMwanarusi M.Google review · 5 Jan 2026

  Had great experience reaching to the top and around the crater lake with my partner. It was a good time spent.

• MBMohamed B.Google review · 30 Dec 2025

  Mount Longonot National Park is one of Kenya's most rewarding hiking destinations, offering an unforgettable adventure just 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. This compact park centers around the dramatic Mount Longonot, a dormant stratovolcano rising 2,776 meters above sea level with a distinctive crater at its summit. The main attraction is the challenging but achievable hike to the crater rim, taking approximately 3-4 hours round trip. The steep ascent rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha shimmering below, and on clear days, Mount Kenya in the distance. The more adventurous can trek around the crater rim, an additional hour-long circuit offering spectacular vistas into the 1.6-kilometer-wide volcanic crater below. The trail is well-marked though demanding, with rocky terrain and steep sections requiring reasonable fitness levels. Early morning starts are recommended to avoid midday heat and catch the best views. Wildlife sightings include buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and various bird species, though encounters are less common than the stunning scenery. Entry fees are modest, and facilities include basic amenities at the gate. The park's proximity to Nairobi makes it perfect for day trips, while nearby Naivasha offers accommodation options. Mount Longonot delivers an accessible yet thrilling outdoor experience, combining physical challenge with natural beauty in Kenya's spectacular Rift Valley.

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• DEDane E.Google review · 30 Oct 2025

  Fantastic hike and views. The entry to the National Park is ridiculously high however at $50 USD each! Just to walk around. The white tax will ruin Kenya's tourism industry.

• LBLewis B.Google review · 17 Oct 2025

  Well we do love a volcano hike, and who doesn't? The hike starts at the visitor centre, here you pay for your ticket and they check your bag for disposal bottles, these aren't allowed. Id suggest at least 2 litres per person if you plan o doing the full rim hike. Id recommend buying your ticket online before hand, saves any issues on the day, a group we spoke to advised it took them over an hour due to payment issues. The walk starts flat for the first couple of k's. To get to the rim there are 2 main climbs, take it easy and you will be fine. We went to the summit, anti clockwise around the rim, the climb is steep and on unstable ground but certainly doable, there is a troop of babbons who call the summit home. We continued around the summit and back down to the start, overall it was a great day. Definitely recommend going early to get the climbs done in the cooler morning.

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